Employment

2019 GRSF Company. Photo by Grace Hill.

Join Our Company

The Great River Shakespeare Festival is Minnesota’s largest professional equity theater outside of the Twin Cities and has enjoyed unprecedented success since its 2004 inaugural season. Employing over 70 people at the peak of the season, GRSF presents its five/six-week season of rotating repertory from late June through July in the The ARC: Home of the Historic Masonic Theatre in downtown Winona, MN. 

A professional acting company of 8 to 16 actors and 40+ designers, directors, technicians, apprentices, students and admin staff who come from around the country to present mainstage productions in repertory, education programs, and a variety of festival events in Winona every summer.

GRSF is committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage everyone to apply regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender-identity, sexual orientation, or disability. Most positions are seasonal; employees that work well within the team are often asked to return for subsequent seasons. Commitment to safe work habits and shop practices is essential. Housing is provided for non-local seasonal employees and contractors. 

Costume Shop PositionS

Time frame: Early/Mid May 2027 - End of June/First week of July

DrapeR

Draper Job Duties:

  1. Meet with Costume Designers to discuss renderings and vision for the show.

  2. Analyze renderings, drape/pattern, tailor, and/or other specialized artisan tasks that are required for the successful and timely realization of the costume designs

  3. Assist in the altering of purchased/pulled costume pieces as needed

  4. Instruct the First Hand in the cutting/layout of garments

  5. Plan build assignments for the Costume Apprentices, First Hand/Stitcher with the Costume Shop Manager.

  6. Assign daily tasks to the Costume Apprentices, First Hand/Stitcher

  7. Instruct, mentor, and supervise the Costume Apprentices, First Hand/Stitcher in the proper way each project must be planned, constructed, and finished

  8. Instruct/supervise the Costume Apprentices and First Hand/Stitcher in the proper usage of the shop equipment

  9. Attend actor measurements and costume fittings as necessary

  10. Attend technical rehearsals and other meetings as needed

  11. Communicate with the Costume Designers throughout the build to ensure their vision is properly realized

  12. Assist in the maintenance of shop equipment (i.e. sewing machines, sergers, irons, etc.)

  13. Notify Costume Shop Manager of supply needs

  14. Provide Costume Shop Manager with yardage estimates for builds

  15. Other duties as assigned

Draper Qualifications: 

  • 3+ years of costume shop experience 

  • 1-2+ years experience draping and patterning garments from designer renderings

  • Experience supervising or mentoring students, apprentices, and/or stitchers

  • Experience working and creating costumes for repertory.  

First Hand

First Hand Job Duties:

  1. Cut, construct, and finish costumes and accessories as envisioned by the Costume Designers

  2. Light pattern-making, tailoring, and/or other specialized artisan tasks that are required for the successful and timely realization of the costume designs

  3. Attend costume fittings as needed

  4. Assist in taking actor measurements

  5. Instruct, mentor, and supervise the Costume Apprentices in the proper way each project must be constructed, and finished

  6. Instruct/supervise the Costume Apprentices in the proper usage of shop equipment

  7. Alter purchased/pulled costumes

  8. Pull costumes from stock and restock as needed.

  9. Attend technical rehearsals as needed

  10. Attend designer runs

  11. Other duties as assigned

First Hand Qualifications: 

  • 3–5 years of costume shop experience 

  • 1-2 years experience being a stitcher/first hand

  • Experience supervising or mentoring students/apprentices

  • Experience working and creating costumes for repertory. 

PRODUCTION job openings for 2027

Please send your resume, cover letter, and portfolio to out Production Manager, Kara Eggers, at production@grsf.org

Compensation:

  • Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Typically positions are salaried and exempt from overtime.

  • Housing in Winona, MN from 1 day before start date to 1 day after end date.

  • Housing cannot accommodate animals unless they are certified service animals. We are unable to provide compensation should individuals choose to find other housing arrangements. If choosing to live somewhere else, the additional cost will fall to the individual.

  • Round trip compensation to and from Winona, MN. Either airfare or mileage reimbursement at 20 cents a mile, whichever is more cost effective.

Desired skills for all positions: 

  • Proactive & Self-Motivated: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, drives work forward independently.

  • Analytical Problem Solver: Inquisitive, curious, analytical, and effective at identifying and resolving challenges.

  • Adaptable & Growth-Oriented: Flexible in changing environments and committed to continuous improvement.

  • Accountable & Reliable: Takes ownership, delivers consistently, and maintains quality standards.

  • Collaborative Communicator: Works effectively with teams, fosters clear communication, and builds strong relationships.

  • Leadership & Team Development: Delegates effectively, mentors and trains others, and supports team success.

  • Results-Driven Organizer: Excels at project planning, scheduling, prioritization, time management, and meeting production deadlines.

Timeline:

  • Applications are open now until positions are filled

  • Interviews will begin Mid October

  • Offers will be made between late November 2026 through January 2027

  • Positions start early/mid May 2027 - see positions for more details

PRops and Scenic Positions

Time frame: Early/Mid May 2027 - End of July/First week of August

Carpenter/Crew Supervisor

Carpenter/Crew Supervisor Job Duties:

  1. Participate in the load-in and strike of all GRSF equipment in the ARC

  2. Assist in all aspects of creating, building, purchasing, modifying, and maintaining scenery for the mainstage shows

  3. Safely operate scenic tools and equipment

  4. Follow all safety procedures as laid out by supervisors

  5. Execute the Scenic Designer’s vision within given constraints as directed by the Technical Director

  6. Drive company vehicles to pick up, drop off, and purchase scenery and materials as available

  7. Assist in the maintenance and modification of scenery for any co-productions or external residencies

  8. Work with the Technical Director to aid in modifications and maintenance of the ARC as time allows

  9. Be present during every performance to run the show

  10. Serve as crew swing for all mainstage shows, including learning all crew tracks on all mainstage shows and covering those tracks as needed. (Be ready to step in/sub for all crew positions including but not limited to: Assistant Stage Managers, Spot Operators, Wardrobe Supervisor, and all other back stage positions). 

  11. Maintain all scenery during run of shows

  12. Lead and participate in all changeovers between performances

  13. Organize all scenic, props, lighting, and sound changeovers and strikes with the Production Manager and relevant shop heads

  14. Supervise and participate in changesovers between performances

  15. Ensure the scenic, props, lighting, and sound crews are effectively maintaining all equipment and elements in their respective areas 

  16. Ensure areas used by GRSF are returned at the end of the season in the same condition they were received

  17. Other duties as assigned

Carpenter/Crew Supervisor Qualifications: 

  • 3+ years experience in carpentry or equivalent experience

  • Knowledge, experience, and ability to use basic power tools safely and efficiently

  • Knowledge, experience, and ability to oversee scenic apprentices using power tool safely and efficiently  

  • Experience supervising or mentoring students/apprentices

  • Experience working and creating scenic items for rep   

  • Run crew experience 

  • Organizational and time management skills

  • Driver’s license preferred 

Props Assistant

Props Assistant Job Duties:

  1. Assist the Props Designer/Supervisor in all aspects of creating and providing props for the mainstage season and modifying and creating props for any co-productions or external residencies

  2. Drive company vehicles to pick up, drop off, and purchase props and materials as directed if necessary

  3. Follow all safety procedures as laid out by supervisors

  4. Be present at every performance to run the show

  5. Serve as deck crew for both mainstage shows

  6. Maintain all props during run of shows

  7. Participate in all changeovers between performances

  8. Participate in the load-in and strike of all GRSF equipment used in the ARC

  9. Attend production meetings as directed by the Props Designer/Supervisor

  10. Assist the Props Designer/Supervisor with tracking and coding of receipts

  11. Other duties as assigned

Props Assistant Qualifications: 

  • 2+ years of experience in props design/construction or equivalent experience 

  • Knowledge, experience, and ability to use basic power tools safely and efficiently

  • Basic scenic painting experience 

  • Basic sewing skills 

  • Organization and time management skills 

APPRENTICESHIPS

GRSF offers apprenticeships in lighting, sound, costumes, props, scenery and stage management. More information regarding apprenticeships, including how to apply, can be found here!

Auditions

2027 Auditions

General auditions for our 2027 season will be held in December 2026 in Winona. More information to come on this page and the Actor’s Equity website. Equity rules require an in-person general audition in our home city of Winona after the season is publicly announced which means we will usually hold general auditions in December or January. Look for a signup form here and on the Equity casting website in November or December.

If you are traveling to Winona to see the summer productions, please reach out. We will make every effort to see an audition or at least say hello. Below is information from the the 2027 general auditions:

Please note that we are a repertory company, which means that all actors will be cast in two productions and may have understudy assignments. Please follow the submission instructions carefully and submit all materials as requested. 

For both in-person and live Zoom auditions, please present two contrasting monologues totaling 3 minutes or less. Please include at least one Shakespeare monologue. The second piece may be Shakespeare or a contemporary piece. We encourage modern heightened language pieces including spoken word. Please perform in the vernacular that is most natural for you. We do not believe in “standard American” speech and value expressive use of language in every form. If you play an instrument, please bring it and present a sample of you playing.

GRSF is committed to inclusive casting. We encourage all performers to participate regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender-identity, sexual orientation, or disability. For productions where race or ethnicity is central to the show’s plot or themes, casting will reflect those requirements. Contract dates are May 18 to July 26, 2027. The Equity contract is LOA based on LORT-D with a minimum salary of $845/week.

Individuals of interest will be contacted directly via email regarding callbacks, which will also be held via video submission.