Working Title: Forbes Center and Wilson Hall Production Crew - IE

State Role Title: Institutional Employment/Federal Work Study

Position Type: Institutional Employment

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Visual and Performing Arts

Department: 100551 - College of Visual and Performing Arts

Pay Rate: Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $12.77

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? N/A

Beginning Review Date: 01/05/2026

About JMU:

Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

General Information:

The employee will support rehearsals, events, and performances at the Forbes Center and Wilson Auditorium. The employee will be involved in setting up and taking down technical equipment, moving material on stage during performances, and supporting artists backstage.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Participate in the set-up, run, and tear-down of events at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts and Wilson Auditorium. Duties may include but are not limited to: serving as the stage manager for student performances, setting up and moving cases, racks, platforms, curtains and scenery; hanging and focusing lights, running cables and setting up audio equipment, moving equipment on stage during performances, operating venue technical equipment during performances such as consoles and spotlights, and communicating with performers and visiting professional companies.
- Arrive on time for all scheduled work calls.
- Follow the direction of production supervisors and act independently on assigned tasks.
- Be mindful that actions are reflective of the Forbes Center, Wilson Hall, and James Madison University.
- Maintain a positive demeanor and respectful attitude at all times.

Qualifications:

- Familiarity with backstage environments for the entertainment or live events industry.
- Ability to take clear direction from various supervisors.
- Interest in learning about technical production, to include lighting, audio, video, scenic, props, and automation.
- Ability push, pull, and lift objects of up to 50 lbs unassisted.
- Ability and willingness to work with the proper PPE around loud sounds, flashing lights, theatrical haze and smoke, and other theatrical effects for sustained periods of time.
- Comfortable with working at height if needed and if trained on catwalks, overhead grids, ladders, and personnel lifts.

Additional Posting Information:

This position does not have a set schedule and may be performed in conjunction with other student wage positions. Student employees will have access to a system where they can see available shifts for which to sign up. These shifts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the nature of this, the number of hours that a student might work in a week may vary, but they will have control over when they choose to work.

Conditions of Employment:  

Students must be degree-seeking students, enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits for undergraduate and 5 credits for graduate).

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are a student with a disability and need assistance please contact the Office of Disability Services at (540) 568-6705 or disability-svcs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the Office of Disability Services, located in the Student Success Center, Suite 1202 and they will be happy to assist you.