Working at Bell Shakespeare

Staff at Bell Shakespeare enjoy a creative and supportive workplace, that encourages collaboration and inspiration.

As part of the Bell Shakespeare team, you will:

  • Receive complimentary tickets to all Bell Shakespeare productions
  • Receive ongoing professional development
  • Be based in a spectacular location at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
  • Have the opportunity to work with major performing arts venues, including Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne and Canberra Theatre Centre
  • have access to special opportunities and discounts within the arts, as they arise.

Unless otherwise stated in a job description, all staff are based at our headquarters in Sydney, NSW.

Bell Shakespeare is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse staff. In line with this commitment, we will prioritise applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, mature age workers, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and LGBTQIA+ people. We believe that Shakespeare is for all.

Current Vacancies

Technical Coordinator - Henry 5

We are seeking a Technical Coordinator to join the Company to support our first mainstage production for 2025 – Henry 5.

This position is responsible for supporting the delivery of the technical elements of the production, especially its audio elements. You will in particular work with the Technical Manager to realise the Composer and/or Sound Designer’s aims for the production. The successful candidate will bring broad technical skills, including specialist audio skills, to the position and be an approachable, relaxed and friendly team player keen to join a professional team to realise the production. The successful candidate will also support the technical delivery of the company’s activities more broadly.

The role of Technical Coordinator requires availability across the following period: Monday 3 February – Tuesday 27 May 2025

As part of the Bell Shakespeare team, you will:

  • Work in an inclusive, supportive, and fun environment
  • Receive complimentary tickets to all Bell Shakespeare productions
  • Travel with the company as required to major interstate and regional performing arts venues to deliver Henry 5

To be considered as a successful applicant we require:

Essential attributes

  • Sydney-based employee
  • A minimum three years of relevant industry experience in technical production for live performance
  • Experience in the planning, installation, and operation of technical systems across several technical disciplines, especially audio
  • The ability to create and interpret technical drawings
  • Empathy and an understanding of the live performance environment
  • Proven ability to manage competing projects and prioritise accordingly
  • Proven ability to work in a team environment
  • A flexible attitude to duties, responsibilities and working hours
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Excellent computer skills and the ability to keep detailed written and electronic records
  • Be an Australian Citizen or hold permanent residency

Desirable attributes

  • Experience drawing with Vectorworks software
  • Tertiary qualifications in technical production for live performance or similar
  • A current driver licence
  • Touring experience
  • Experience in mid to large scale live theatrical productions or touring productions
  • Knowledge of Workplace Health & Safety requirements in a production environment
  • Knowledge of the Live Performance Award or Performers Collective Agreement
  • Experience and knowledge of the following:
  • programming QLab
  • MIDI and OSC control
  • Yamaha audio consoles
  • Dante
  • networking
  • Mac OS

Application:

If you are interested in the role, please send through your CV and a cover letter marked for the attention of:

Benjamin Howlett
Head of Production hr@bellshakespeare.com.au

Download the position description here.

Bell Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity employer and welcomes and strongly encourages applications from First Nations peoples, people with a disability, LGBTQI+ people, and culturally and linguistically diverse applicants.

Applications will close at 5pm on 7th November.

Head of Audio - Henry 5

We are seeking an experienced Head of Audio to join the Company to realise our first production in 2025 – Henry 5. This position will be responsible for the realisation, delivery and maintenance of the audio elements as conceived by the Composer and/or Sound Designer.

Providing support and advice to the Head of Production and Production Manager, the Head of Audio will bring their expertise along with an approachable, relaxed, and friendly demeanour to support the delivery of the production and its smooth transfer from venue to venue.

The Head of Audio requires availability across the following period: Monday 3 February – Tuesday 27 May 2025

About you:

The successful applicant will be an active participant in pre-production planning, rehearsal activity, and bump ins and bump outs. The role includes co-ordination and delivery of audio-related resources, supervision and direction of venue crews as required, working closely with the creative team, and maintaining accurate records and documentation within the production environment.

As part of the Bell Shakespeare team, you will:

  • Work in an inclusive and supportive environment
  • Receive complimentary tickets to Bell Shakespeare productions
  • Travel with company and work at major performing arts venues including Sydney Opera House, Canberra Theatre Centre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre and Arts Centre Melbourne

To be considered as a successful applicant we require:

Essential attributes

  • A minimum of five years appropriate industry experience in technical production for live performance
  • Touring/production transfer experience
  • An understanding of the artistic process and the ability to work with creative teams
  • Proven ability to work in a team environment whilst also being able to work autonomously
  • A flexible attitude to duties, responsibilities and working hours within the skill set of the position
  • The ability to create and interpret technical drawings
  • Experience in the planning, installation, and operation of technical and audio systems
  • Experience and knowledge of the following: programming QLab; MIDI and OSC control; Yamaha audio consoles; Dante; networking; Mac OS.
  • Solid computer skills, particularly using spreadsheets and word processing software
  • Excellent problem solving and communication skills
  • The ability to keep detailed written and electronic records
  • Be an Australian citizen or hold permanent residency

Desirable attributes

  • Experience drawing with Vectorworks software
  • Tertiary qualifications in technical production for live performance or similar
  • Knowledge of Workplace Health & Safety requirements in a production environment
  • Experience in using tools and machinery

Application:

If you are interested in the role, please send through your CV and a cover letter for the attention of Benjamin Howlett, Head of Production hr@bellshakespeare.com.au

Download the position description here.

Bell Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Applications will close at 5pm on 7th November.

Production Team

Bell Shakespeare is Australia’s national theatre company specialising in the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. We are inviting expressions of interest from experienced live performance and theatre professionals who are interested in working on our 2025 productions. Next year, Bell Shakespeare will present three major productions and our in-schools touring program, The Players.

These productions will give you the opportunity to work at a range of performing arts venues including the Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne, and Canberra Theatre Centre, along with Bell Shakespeare’s purpose-built premises and theatre The Neilson Nutshell at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.

As each show is staged at different times of the year, please see below the 2025 season dates and crewing periods along with the available job opportunities.

Season 1: Sydney Opera House, Canberra Theatre Centre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre Wollongong, Arts Centre Melbourne (Monday 13th of January - Sunday 1st of June.)

Season 2: The Neilson Nutshell, Sydney and Arts Centre Melbourne (Monday 5th of May - Sunday 17th of August.)

Season 3 (National Tour): ACT, NSW, WA, VIC, TAS, QLD and Sydney Opera House (Monday 21st of July - Sunday 14th of December.)

Opportunities:

  • Touring Company Manager – (National Tour only)
  • Stage Manager
  • Assistant Stage Manager
  • Production Assistant
  • Head Mechanist
  • Head of Lighting
  • Head of Audio

Bell Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions.

How to Apply

If you are interested in working with Bell Shakespeare in 2025, please complete the following form:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4c7b8124922d4686b104b1c665769a15

One application per person, applicants can select multiple roles. Applications close 15 September 2024.

For further information or questions please email Bell Shakespeare’s Head of Production, Benjamin Howlett at hr@bellshakespeare.com.au

Casual Crew

Are you a dedicated individual with a deep passion for the performing arts? Do you thrive in a behind-the-scenes role, helping to create unforgettable theatrical and event experiences? If so, we want to hear from you!

Bell Shakespeare is currently seeking expressions of interest from talented individuals to join our casual crew. We are looking for individuals with various skills; ranging from Lighting, Audio, General Mechanist and General production support. If you have a love for theatre and a desire to contribute to the creative process, this is the opportunity for you.

Bell Shakespeare is Australia's premier theatre company dedicated to producing and promoting the work of William Shakespeare. With a focus on innovative productions, national tours, education programs and engaging with diverse audiences, Bell Shakespeare aims to bring the genius of Shakespeare to life and make it accessible to all.

Now residing in our state-of-the-art headquarters at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Bell Shakespeare offers a wide range of projects and experiences for theatre crew.

Bell Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse applicants are encouraged to apply for these positions.

How to Apply

If you are interested in crewing at Bell Shakespeare’s headquarters on various shows and events, please complete this form.

One application per person, applicants can select multiple roles. For further information or questions please email hr@bellshakespeare.com.au