Assistant Production Manager

Company Overview

The Fools are committed to bringing high-quality theatre to the people and eliminating the barriers that prevent patrons from engaging with the arts. We exist to serve the people of Ottawa and strive to share our work with surrounding communities, particularly those without access to live theatre. We aim to inspire connections at our performances between the art, the audience, and the community we perform within. 

Today, the Fools are best known for our Torchlight Shakespeare in the Park series, where we tour 90-minute versions of Shakespeare’s hits to parks across Ottawa and Eastern Ontario for pass-the-hat donations. This tour spans two months, offers 42 performances, and reaches over 10,000 patrons. Over 20% of the company’s patrons report that Fools shows are the only theatre productions they attend. Outside the summer season, the Fools offer educational programming in the form of our annual spring school festival and in-school workshops.

We believe that it doesn’t matter where you live, how much you make, or how old you are: theatre should be accessible to everyone.

Don’t live near a theatre? We’ll come to you.
Don’t have much disposable income? Our shows are pay-what-you-can.
Can’t find a babysitter? Bring your kids! Bring your dog, too!
Didn’t eat dinner? Bring a picnic, or grab a snack at our Front of House tent!

Job Description

a Company of Fools is seeking an Assistant Production Manager (APM) to join our team for our Shakespeare in the Park Tour in our 36th season! They will be a key player on the crew of this outdoor production that reaches over 10,000 patrons in 35+ communities across the Ottawa region. Candidates must meet the requirements for the Canada Summer Jobs program (age 15-30, eligible to work in Canada and have a Social Insurance Number).

Contract Dates: June 19 - August 17, 2026  

Pay Rate: $19.00/hr average 35hr/week

The APM will be present during all phases of production for our Shakespeare in the Park Tour, from pre-production planning to post-production tear down. They will be given a theoretical approach to theatrical design by assisting in the realization of a design concept (in collaboration with the production’s Designers), and receive practical training by assisting in drafting, set and props construction, and maintenance of costume and set pieces throughout the tour.

Throughout the contract APM will assist with the following:

Pre-Production and Rehearsals 

• Learning meeting protocol, communication skills, and engaging in production meetings from the Director, Designers, Stage Manager, and Production Manager

• Learning internal communication processes between various production departments 

• Sourcing materials and equipment used in set and props construction

• Assisting with the build of the set and props, learning how to safely use power tools and other construction materials, and interpreting a scale drawing in the construction of a large-scale set build

• Assisting with tracking expenses during construction

Performance Weeks

• Shadowing and assisting the PM in working with and leading a production crew of 6 other people in setup, backstage duties, and tear down

• Supervising the crew and all production elements when the Production Manager is absent

• Upon arrival in a park, assessing and selecting a performance location with minimal impact to the natural environment, cleaning site of litter and debris

• Responsible for the repair and maintenance of costume and set elements during the tour as needed

• Assisting in operating the backstage during performances which includes repairs, handing off or flying in scenic elements, and assisting actors and team members with costume changes 

• Interacting with the public by asking patrons to care for the landscape we are in, providing information on the performance or company, and directing them towards our front-of-house tent

• Ensuring the park is left as it was found with no trace of the performance

Post-Tour

• Disassembling the set to prepare for storage, salvaging elements where possible for re-use in future seasons to lessen environmental impact

• Cataloging set, costume, and props elements for storage and future use

• Repairing and conducting any maintenance required on technical hardware used during the tour in an effort to reuse wherever possible

• Participating in a post-production meeting to provide feedback on the season and contribute their onsite experience for future season planning

Successful candidates must be available for all contract dates (Monday-Saturday, afternoons and evenings), be physically capable of repeated heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs), and be able to maintain a professional, positive attitude at all times and in all sorts of summer weather (rain, shine, heat, humidity, cold). For this position candidates must have a valid G class driver’s license and be comfortable learning to drive a 16ft cube truck.

Assets:

• Enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions

• Theatre production or backstage experience

• Experience or interest in audio and/or lighting

• Stage Management experience

• Familiarity with Ottawa theatre companies and practices

• Can adapt to different working conditions and processes

• Can work independently

• Detail oriented

• Open to feedback and ongoing direction

• Can calmly communicate your limits when working in challenging conditions (extreme heat, heavy lifting, high-pressure timelines)

• Familiarity with a Company of Fools and/or pursuit of theatre-related studies 

• G class driver’s license/access to a vehicle 

• CPR and/or First Aid Training

• General enthusiasm for workplace safety

For more information about a Company of Fools or Torchlight Shakespeare, please visit www.fools.ca

To apply please send a cover letter and CV to generalmanager@fools.ca no later than 11:59pm on Sunday, April 26th, 2026 with the subject line “Assistant Production Manager”. Please format your CV & cover letter with the following format “LAST NAME.FIRST NAME CV/Cover Letter”.

Thank you for your submission. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We will be considering all applications on a rolling basis and start interviewing as soon as we find suitable candidates. Submitting as soon as possible helps your chances of being selected.

a Company of Fools encourages submissions from diverse candidates of all backgrounds regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

This position has been made possible by the Canada Summer Jobs Program.