Assistant Scenic Artist

Company Overview

About Neptune Theatre

Neptune Theatre is located on sacred land that has been the site of human activity since time immemorial. We are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and un-ceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and we acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land.

As artists, we are grateful to work and build community here. As stewards of culture, we are in the process of learning more about how our company can improve our relations with Indigenous People and uphold the values of collaboration and inclusivity in all that we do.

Neptune Theatre is Atlantic Canada’s premier destination for live, professional theatre. On our stages, you’ll experience theatre that is uplifting and thought-provoking. Our roots are deep in this region. With 59 years under our belt, we’re deeply supportive of and connected to our local community, and are committed to creating outstanding experiences that enlighten and bring joy to our audiences.

We are the cultural heart and soul of the Halifax community. Our values are grounded in the belief that the power of live theatre can transform and connect. With a mindful and inclusive approach, we are committed to bringing stories that represent the history and diversity of our region and its people to life on our stages. 

Ethno-Cultural Mandate

Neptune Theatre seeks to promote equity, inclusion and access by amplifying voices that have been historically marginalized or underrepresented, and we factor this into every decision we make. We encourage submissions from all genders, ethnicities, abilities and identities, and will give priority consideration to those who self-identify as IBPOC, LGBTQ2S+, d/Deaf, living with disabilities, and/or facing other systemic challenges in our industry. 

Anti-Harassment Policy

Neptune is committed to maintaining a positive, harassment-free culture. We do not tolerate any form of harassment of our employees, clients, volunteers, or any persons visiting or spending time on our premises or online spaces. Please note that violation of this policy could result in revoked access. Neptune Theatre takes part in the Not in Our Space! initiative, a national anti-harassment and respectful workplace collaboration campaign between Equity and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), which seeks to ensure healthy and productive working conditions for all professionals working in live performance across the country. 

Job Description

About the Position

The Assistant Scenic Artist works under the direct supervision of the Head of Scenic Art, providing labour primarily as a scenic painter, but with an understanding that other duties related to scenic art may be required. This position requires working at heights, climbing ladders, and working in noisy environments.  

Terms of engagement are per the collective agreement between IATSE 680 and Neptune Theatre. Hours of work for this position will regularly be Monday - Friday, 45 hours per week. During production tech weeks, hours may be long and irregular.

This position is typically engaged from September until April with a 3 – 6 week layoff period over the December Holidays and New Year.  

The successful candidate will be hired for August 31st, 2026 – April 4th 2027 with a 6 week layoff from November 23rd, 2026 - January 3rd, 2027. The hourly rate, as set by the previous IATSE CBA and currently in negotiation, is $27.36 

The Ideal Candidate 

The Assistant Scenic Artist will have a solid foundation in the preparation of basic scenic elements for painting, and scenic painting techniques including: dry-brushing, spattering, scumbling, washing, wet-blending, wood-graining, marbling, and textural finishing. The Scenic Artist will also have demonstrated experience in paint mixing, colour matching, and colour recreation, as well as proficiency with common scenic art tools such as HVLP sprayers, sponges, rollers, and various brushes.  

Additional skills and training that would be considered an asset:

• Fall Protection Training 
• Arial Work Platform ( ie Genie Lift ) Operation 
• First Aid / AED