Introduction to the Stephen Joseph Theatre

The  Stephen  Joseph  Theatre  (SJT)  is  a  producing  theatre  based  in  Scarborough;  it  has  a  national  and
international  reputation,  and  offers  a  year-round  programme  of  high-quality  theatre  and  film.    SJT  also
provides a wide-range of participatory activity, through which we work across the borough and with all ages
and communities, including: a youth theatre for anyone aged from 5 – 25; schools’ workshops; community
choirs and activities for those with dementia.

Each year we produce seven shows, of which at least two are brand new. This year’s programme included
a new adaptation of Love’s Labours Lost (More or Less) co-produced with Shakespeare North Playhouse;
Noises Off and a co-production of Pride and Prejudice (our big shows for the summer); a world-premiere
of  Alan  Ayckbourn’s  91st  new  play  Earth  Angel;  and  our  two  Christmas  shows:  Sleeping  Beauty  and
Wonkey Donkey and the Magic Christmas Carrot.

The  work  from  our  visiting  companies  includes  dance,  drama,  music,  solo  shows,  comedy,  family  work,
circus, poetry, cabaret, magic and drag and this year we’ve welcomed, Blackeyed Theatre, Frozen Light,
John Godber, Mark Thomas, Townsend Productions and Daniel Kitson (amongst others). Our cinema shows
nearly  400  films  a  year,  ranging  from  Wicked  and  Downton  Abbey  to  the  latest  live  streaming  from  the
National Theatre.

Our theatre benefits from its proximity to the beautiful North Yorkshire coastline as well as the North York
Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds. Scarborough was the first British seaside resort to be established in England
and remains one of the UK’s most visited destinations. SJT is at the heart of the cultural regeneration plans
established  by  Scarborough  Borough  Council  and  now  being  taken  forwards  by  North  Yorkshire  Council
(who replaced SBC after Local Government Reorganisation). These include Scarborough Fair - a year-round
cultural programme incorporating five high-quality, distinctive festivals – the creation of a new council wide
cultural strategy and the reinvigoration of the high street.

For locals, and for the thousands who visit this beautiful part of the world every year, SJT provides year-
round entertainment: diverse, funny, surprising, visually daring and packing a big emotional punch.

SJT is led by Joint CEOs Paul Robinson (Artistic Director) and Caroline Routh (Executive Director),
who have placed the company on a firm financial footing whilst at the same time building a dynamic
artistic programme that has secured a significant increase in audiences and national recognition.
There are of course challenges ahead but we are looking forward with a sense of optimism and
energy.

Welcome from Head of Production, Simon Bedwell

Thank you for your interest in the role of Head of Workshop and Stage here at the SJT at what we believe
is an incredibly exciting time for the company.

2026 is a year programmed with an exciting and eclectic mix of in-house produced work, co-productions
with our partner venues and a range of toured-in work, from one-nighters to full week engagements. From
our big summer musical Calendar Girls to Puss in Boots at Christmas to a production of Woyzeck
created by our Young Company, we’ve got a real range of shows we’re going to be working on, and a busy
year ahead.

The Head of Workshop and Stage will be joining a hands-on and collaborative Production Team, with a
high cross-disciplinary skill level and where design challenges are always met with curiosity and an
excitement to solve. We are looking for an individual who wants to be a part of that team; to head up our
workshop and assist with some stage operations.

We have a fully kitted out wood workshop with an array of tools and suitable equipment, for which full
training can be provided. The workshop connects directly to the Scenic Paintshop, where the successful
candidate would have a close working relationship with our Scenic Artist. The Round Theatre - our main
performance space – is incredibly flexible and we can stage shows in many different configurations. This
means that the demands on the workshop very much vary from production to production – from intricate
and detailed pieces of furniture to large-scale scenery installations.

There’s lots going on so we’re looking for someone who will embrace that challenge. You don’t need to
have worked in theatre previously but what we do need is a dedicated and skilled craftsperson with proven
joinery and construction experience; someone who is keen to help us continue to deliver the high-quality
productions we have become known for and who will contribute to our collaborative working culture

Whilst this position is advertised as a fixed 1-year contract, we very much hope that we will be able to
extend it into a permanent role, should this initial period prove successful.

If this feels like the perfect opportunity for you, do get in touch. And if an informal chat would help you
decide, please drop me an email (simon.bedwell@sjt.uk.com) to find a time.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Best Wishes
Simon

Our Theatre

Vision

We at the SJT believe that culture provokes interest and fires our imaginations; that sharing our
experiences and our stories helps build communities and that collaboration builds a compassionate
and engaged society.

Our role is to give everyone the opportunity to discover and celebrate their creativity.

In short, we believe that this is yours.

Building

Our theatre is housed in a converted 1936 Odeon cinema building, opposite Scarborough railway
station and comprises:

•  The Round, a 400-seat theatre space in the round.

•  The McCarthy Theatre (The Mac), a 165-seat proscenium arch theatre.

•  Rehearsal room, scenic workshop, wardrobe and store.

•  Creative Engagement rooms, including dedicated studio space and classrooms.

•  The Ramsay Reading Room.

•  The Boden Room, a flexible function room.

•  Bar and lounge, providing a flexible space for use by audiences and for events and the

home of Eat Me Cafe.

The Round

The McCarthy

Head of Workshop and Stage - Job Description

Job Title:
Line managed by:

Head of Workshop and Stage
Head of Production

Job Purpose
The Head of Workshop and Stage is responsible for the successful realisation of scenic elements for our
in-house produced work. The role ensures the highest standards of craftsmanship and efficiency in the
build of set, props, and technical elements.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Production & Technical Delivery
•  Oversee the construction, installation, and maintenance of sets, props, and staging for SJT

productions.

•  Ensure all scenic pieces are delivered safely, efficiently, on time, and within budget.
•  Collaborate closely with the Head of Production, Production Managers, and Production Staff to

realise artistic visions.

•  Alongside the Head of Production, supervise and coordinate workshop/stage teams during fit-ups,

rehearsals, performances, and get-outs.

•  Maintain high standards of quality and finish across all workshop and stage work.
•  Allocate workloads within the workshop to ensure smooth operations across multiple productions.

Health, Safety & Compliance
•  Take responsibility for Health and Safety within the Workshop and Scenic Paintshop
•  Ensure compliance with risk assessments, safe working practices, and relevant legislation.
•  Maintain tools, machinery, and stage equipment in safe working order.

Resource & Budget Management
•  Manage workshop and stage budgets, including materials and maintenance costs.
•  Source and procure materials and services in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
•  Maintain accurate inventories of tools, equipment, and materials.

Collaboration & Communication
•  Work closely with other departments (Lighting, Sound, Costume, Production, etc.) to ensure

seamless production delivery.

•  Attend production and management meetings as required by Head of Production

Company Responsibilities
•  To become familiar with the company’s Staff Handbook and to work in accordance with its policies

and approaches and with other key organisational strategies as may be required.

•  To attend organisational meetings/rehearsals, as required.
•  To undertake other tasks and duties as may reasonably be requested.

About role specifications
As SJT evolves to meet the changing needs of a producing company the roles required of all staff will
evolve. As such, staff should note that this document is not intended to represent the role that the
incumbent will perform in perpetuity. This role statement is intended to provide an overall view of the
role as at the date of this statement.

Person Specification

Essential

•  Experience of high craftmanship within a mostly timber based workshop
•  A wide knowledge of joinery techniques and construction
•  The ability to interpret technical drawings
•  Good budgeting skills
•  Demonstrable understanding of Health & Safety legislation
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills
•  Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines
•  Solution based approach to problem solving
•  Positive attitude
•  Strong organisational skills

Desirable

IT literate

•
•  Experience of driving vans, including a full clean Driving Licence
•  Experience of working in a producing theatre in a similar role
•  The ability to work well with creative teams and artists
•  Good knowledge of rigging, flying, winches and other stage machinery
•  Experience of making scenic elements for a variety of spaces/setups
•  Experience of maintaining workshop machinery

Terms and Conditions

Salary:

£ 28 000 - £ 30 000 pa dependent on experience

Contract:

Full time, 1 year Fixed Term Contract

Probationary period:

3 months. Notice period is one month by either party during the probationary
period

Notice period:

Two Months after probationary period

Hours:

Pension:

37.5 hours per week. No overtime is payable, but time off in lieu for
excess working hours can be agreed with the line manager. There may
be occasional evening or weekend hours.

The company operates an auto-enrolment pension scheme in line with
current government legislation.

Holiday Entitlement:

25 days per annum (exclusive of Public Holidays).

Place of work:

Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough

Any offer of employment will be subject to the receipt of:

•  References that are satisfactory to Scarborough Theatre Trust
•  Evidence of the right to work in the UK as defined by the Home Office
•  A valid DBS check

Application Process

Thank you for your interest in the role of Head of Workshop and Stage here at SJT.

If you are interested, please send a copy of your up-to-date CV together with a letter explaining
what attracts you to this position and why you think you would be good at it. We’d particularly like to
hear from you about any specific examples of past experience that tie directly into the person
specification.

As part of your application, please also include the names and contact details of two referees. We
won’t ask anyone for a reference before interviews and then only after checking with you first that
you are happy for us to speak to them.

It’s not part of your application, but it would really help us to monitor our equal opportunities plan if
you could complete an Equal Opportunities Form, which can be found on the vacancies page on
our website. This form will only be used for monitoring purposes; it will be removed when your
application is received and kept separately so that it doesn’t form any part of the shortlisting
process.

All applications must be sent via email to Simon Bedwell on simon.bedwell@sjt.uk.com with
“Head of Workshop and Stage” in the subject line by 0900 on 19th December 2025.

Access provision and additional support/resources:  We want this role to be an opportunity
for the widest possible group of people who fit its criteria. We are committed to providing
support with access requirements and are open to a conversation with any applicant about how
they may be supported to fulfil the role. Please let us know of any access needs you may have
at any point in the recruitment process and we will work with you to ensure those are met. We
will also ensure that access requirements are not a factor in our decision-making process.

There’s a wealth of useful info on communicating your specific needs here:
www.accessdocsforartists.com and alexandrinahemsley.com/resources/access-rider-open-
template/

We’ll hold first round interviews via Zoom on 7th January 2026.