Wig Supervisor/Resident Designer

Full time: Exempt

Reports to: Costume Director

About The Phoenix Theatre Company

The Phoenix Theatre Company is Arizona’s largest professional regional theatre and a cornerstone of the state’s performing arts community. Following our recent completion of a $30 million campus expansion, the company unveiled the new 500-seat Dr. Stacie J. and Richard J Stephenson Theatre, significantly enhancing its ability to produce live theatre for the community. This expansion allows programming to flourish across three distinct and diverse performance spaces that support a wide range of productions.

Located in the heart of the Central Arts District close to downtown Phoenix, our beautiful 14-acre campus includes three theaters, a restaurant and bar, rehearsal halls, administrative offices, and production shops, all on one site. We produce a wide range of theatre, from full-scale musicals to comedies, dramas and original new works. Our community service programs have gained national attention. With a $17 million annual operating budget, and celebrating our 106^th Season, we offer 9-11 diverse productions every season as well as a growing Festival of New American Theatre.

Job Summary

The Wig Supervisor/Resident Designer manages the cleaning, maintenance, and organization of wigs, hair pieces and specialty makeup through the dress rehearsal, performance, and strike of all productions and events throughout the season. The Wig Supervisor/Resident Designer will also be responsible for maintaining hairstyles for all productions and events including haircuts and wig resets as needed.  The Wig Supervisor will help source wigs, hair pieces and specialty makeup for outside designers as well as advise on existing stock.  They will create and maintain all necessary show paperwork for wig tracks and style adherence.  This role will be responsible for the hair and makeup budgets for each production.  This role will also design hair and makeup for selected productions throughout a season; number of projects will vary but could be as high as 11 projects in each season depending on artistic team selections.  

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinates the cleaning, maintenance, and organization of all wigs, hair pieces, and makeup during the dress rehearsal and performance period following equity standards
• Creates paperwork for each production, including face sheets, dresser/quick change plots, preset lists, and understudy plots if needed for shows designed and assist with paperwork on shows designed by 3^rd parties
• Manage and assist in the application and maintenance of stage-ready wigs and theatrical makeup for actors, collaborating with costume and hair & makeup designers to interpret artistic visions and achieve seamless character transformations
• Partner with wardrobe supervisors to address logistical challenges, rigging concerns, and actor comfort issues, readily offering creative solutions
• Source, build, alter/style, and maintain all wigs, creating a wig design for each assigned show in collaboration with the costume designer
• Check-in and review wigs and hair pieces prior to each performance
• Maintain wig spaces and organization, keeping all areas clean and free of debris.

• Accurately track hair and makeup expenses and provide expenditure reports to Production Management in a timely manner

• Provide natural hair maintenance services and beard trimmings for all productions throughout the season
• Assist in providing protective hairstyling for actors as needed and advise on wig prep

• Organizes and leads the wig load-in prior to the start of tech for each productions
• Strikes, cleans, and restocks wig, hair pieces, specialty makeup at the end of a production run
• Attends all necessary production and staff meetings and events
• Receives and executes all production notes given by the artistic team within reason and budget
• Maintains a safe working environment based on OSHA and AEA standards
• Adheres to all production deadlines

Organizational Relationships

• Reports to the Costume Director
• Reports to the Director of Production
• Works in collaboration with the Wardrobe Director and Wardrobe Supervisors and the entire Production Team at The Phoenix Theatre Company

Minimum Qualifications

• A degree in Technical Theatre or equivalent experience in regional or professional theatre or equivalent industries
• Strong knowledge of wig-making techniques, materials, and tools, as well as styling for different periods, genres, and cultures along with application, pinning and maintenance in a theatre or similar performance environment

• Experience fitting wigs and tracking for theatrical production
• Extensive knowledge of hair styling and makeup techniques
• Ability to perform wig maintenance ensuring that designs remain intact through closing
• Ability to cut and style natural hair of varying textures and types
• Knowledge of specialty makeup including prosthetics, makeup effects, casting etc.
• Knowledge of wigs and hair pieces from both human and synthetic, including alternative mediums
• Experience handling budgets, inventories, and production schedules
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve in high-tension situations

• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse team and under strict deadlines
• Desired: 1-2 years’ experience with wigs and makeup

• Desired: current Cosmetology License
• Desired: Prior backstage costume and wig-related experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Adobe Acrobat

Physical / Mental Demands & Working Conditions

• General theatre and costume shop work environment
• Nights and weekends are required

Compensation/Start Date

• $48,000-$52,000 annually (BOE)
• Desired start date: Late July/Early Aug. 2026

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Heath insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Parental leave
• Sabbatical program

Extra Benefits

• Qualifying Employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 13 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Time, Vacation and Personal Days
• Generous supply of complimentary tickets to live theatrical productions at The Phoenix Theatre Company
• Discounts at our in-house bar and bistro
• Free Parking for Employees

To Apply

• Send cover letter, resume and portfolio to Karla Frederick the Director of Production at k.frederick@phoenixtheatre.com
• To learn more about The Phoenix Theatre Company please visit our website at www.phoenixtheatre.com

The Phoenix Theatre Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, The Phoenix Theatre Company provides employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, genetic status or information, military or veteran status or status in any status protected by federal, state, or local law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. The Phoenix Theatre Company will not tolerate unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any circumstances.

We are eager to cultivate a broad and inclusive field of applicants. The Phoenix Theatre Company is committed to building a diverse community of staff, volunteers, and apprentices. Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.  

Job Summary

The Phoenix Theatre Company is always accepting resumes for show run crews and occasional overhire work. These positions support productions across multiple departments and may include, but are not limited to:

• Deck crew
• Wardrobe crew
• Wardrobe prep crew
• Spotlight operators
• Lighting hang calls
• Lighting focus calls
• Scene shop over hire
• Paint shop over hire
• Costume shop over hire
• Properties shop over hire

These jobs are project-based, lasting anywhere from a day to a few months. No experience is necessary for certain roles — we will provide on-the-job training.

Pay Range

• Run crew positions: Minimum wage – $17.00 per hour
• Overhire positions: $17.00+ per hour, depending on experience and the needs of the department

Please note that overhire opportunities are occasional and may be limited depending on production schedules.

Minimum qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older
• Previous theatre experience is preferred but not required
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic
• Willingness to learn and follow procedures
• Ability to perform physical tasks typical of backstage and shop environments (lifting, standing for long periods, etc.)

Work Environment

Work may take place in a variety of theatrical settings including backstage, onstage, front-of-house areas, and production shops. These environments can involve moderate to heavy physical activity, including lifting, climbing stairs or ladders, standing for extended periods, and working in low-light or backstage conditions during performances and technical rehearsals.

To Apply

Please complete the Run Crew & Overhire Interest Form at the link below:

Run Crew and Overhire Form

Submitting this form will add you to our run crew and overhire contact list. When staffing needs arise, we contact individuals from this list based on department needs, experience, and availability.

Please note that being added to the list does not guarantee employment. Opportunities vary by production and department, and we reach out to potential crew members as calls become available.

If contacted about a potential call, we appreciate timely responses so we can staff calls efficiently.

The Phoenix Theatre Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.