DC Production Assistant Organization: Only Make Believe

Location: Washington, D.C. (Takoma Office / On-site at partner facilities)

Reports To: DC Program Manager and Volunteer Manager

Time Frame: Contract (15–20 hours/week)

Compensation: $26.50/hour, paid bi-weekly

Target Start Date: June 2026 (Flexible)

About Only Make Believe

Only Make Believe (OMB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and performing interactive theatre for children in hospitals and care facilities. We believe that freeing the imagination is a vital part of the healing process. This role is the operational backbone of our DC chapter, supporting a resident company of professional actors delivering over 100 performances annually across the DMV area.

Position Summary

The Production Assistant is a vital link in this mission, managing the day-to-day logistics of our DC operations to ensure our acting companies are equipped and shows run smoothly across all hospital and school partner sites. This role is approximately 80% production-focused and 20% administrative.

Community Health & Safety: To ensure the safety of the children and facilities we serve, all staff are required to remain up-to-date on compliance. This includes background checks and may include vaccinations, PPD testing, drug testing, and general wellness visits as required by our partners.

Essential Requirements:

  • Availability: Due to our performance schedules, this position requires consistent weekday, daytime availability (typically between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM).

  • Transportation: Candidates must hold a valid Driver’s License to facilitate the transport of show materials and trunks between our Takoma office and partner facilities.

PRODUCTION (80%)

Stage Management & Technical Support

  • Show Execution: Act as Stage Manager and Sound Operator (via tablet) for select in-person shows and hospital closed-circuit virtual performances.

  • Rehearsals: Manage sound cues and technical needs for in-office rehearsals for new and returning acting companies.

  • Quality Control: Coordinate with Team Leaders to ensure artistic quality and consistent show standards.

  • Virtual Theater: Manage the technical setup for virtual shows, including camera framing, digital sound routing, and platform troubleshooting (Zoom/Teams).

  • Reporting: Submit detailed show and rehearsal reports to the Program Team following each session.

Logistics & Inventory

  • Inventory Management: Lead the organization and tracking of props and costumes across multiple active "show-kits" and storage locations.

  • Prep & Transport: Prepare, pack, and sanitize all show materials. Facilitate the transport of trunks and materials between the Takoma office and partner facilities.

  • Maintenance: Lead the annual "refresh" of technical equipment and costumes (laundry, repairs, and iPad software updates). Oversee ongoing repairs to props and costume trunks to maintain safety and visual standards.

  • Travel Coordination: Assist actors with transportation logistics for sites beyond public transit, including carpool coordination and providing detailed parking/access directions.

ADMINISTRATIVE (20%)

Scheduling & Team Support

  • Calendar Management: Assist in maintaining the master performance calendar and tracking actor availability for monthly scheduling.

  • Special Events: Provide on-site logistics support for Program, Volunteer, and Development events as needed.

  • Communications: Attend All-Staff and DC Team meetings; responsible for taking and distributing meeting minutes.

Facility Relations & Data

  • Salesforce + Monday.com: Maintain accurate database records, including facility contact updates, feedback surveys, and performance statistics.

SPECIAL PROJECTS (2026–2028)

  • Creative Development: Assist the Program Team in the research and development of new program offerings, with a specific focus on sensory-friendly and inclusive theater elements.

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Availability: Must have consistent availability during weekday business hours to support show schedules and rehearsals.

  • Technical Proficiency: Comfortable operating iOS/Tablets and virtual meeting platforms (Zoom/Teams). Experience with Salesforce or project management software is a plus.

  • Organization: Ability to manage multiple inventories and "moving parts" simultaneously.

  • Physicality: Must be able to lift and transport costume trunks and prop kits (approx. 30–40 lbs).

  • Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills; able to act as a professional representative of OMB to hospital staff and professional actors.

  • Credentials: Valid Driver’s License required.

OMB is  committed to hiring staff, actors, and teaching artists who align with our mission, vision, and program values. It’s important that children collaborate with mentors and role models that reflect the community we serve.  As always, we are an equal opportunity employer.

Only Make Believe performs interactive theatre for chronically ill and disabled children. To ensure the health and safety of our community, all staff are required to be up to date on compliance, which includes background checks, and may include vaccinations, PPD testing, drug testing, and general wellness visits as needed.

APPLY HERE
APPLY HERE