Entertainment Lead Tech - Sterling Renaissance Festival

SEEKING: ENTERTAINMENT LEAD TECH

Sterling Renaissance Festival — 2026 Season

Sterling, New York



The Sterling Renaissance Festival is seeking a Lead Tech for the 2026 season—a hands-on technical leadership role at the center of one of the most immersive and respected Renaissance Festivals in the country.

This is not a desk job and not a supervisory-from-a-distance position. The Lead Tech is a working technical leader, responsible for building, maintaining, and operating the physical systems that support a full-time acting company and a diverse roster of independent performers.



About the Festival

The Sterling Renaissance Festival, now in its 50th season, is a 35-acre wooded site containing Renaissance style buildings and open-air wooden amphitheaters. It is a whimsical re-creation of an Elizabethan town; Warwick, circa 1585.

At the heart of Sterling is The Wyldewood Players, a resident company of about 30 improv comics and classically trained actors who transform the village of Warwick (circa 1585) into a living, breathing story. Guests don’t just watch—they participate.

The Festival also hosts a top-tier lineup of Independent Acts performing music, comedy, and specialty shows across multiple stages. Together, they create a rich, playful, demanding, and deeply rewarding theatrical ecosystem.

The Lead Tech plays a critical role in making this world function safely, reliably, and beautifully.



Position Overview

The Lead Tech is responsible for all technical and production execution supporting the Wyldewood Players and Independent Acts. This includes scenic construction, props, stages, rehearsal and performance support, and ongoing maintenance of entertainment facilities.

The Lead Tech supervises and works alongside the Entertainment Tech and collaborates closely with the Company Manager, who handles housing administration, performer logistics, and welfare. Together, these roles ensure that performers can focus on their work while the technical and logistical systems run smoothly.



Contract & Compensation

• Contract Dates: May 29 – August 20, 2026

• Weekly Salary: $900 per week, 12 week run

• Benefits: New York State UI & Workers’ Compensation

• Housing: Loft-style, on-site housing provided

• Schedule:

o 2 weeks pre-rehearsal

o 3–4 weeks rehearsal

o 7 performance weekends

o Performances Saturdays & Sundays only

o limited mid-week rehearsal days



Core Responsibilities

PRE-ARRIVAL & SITE PREPARATION

• Prepare entertainment facilities for company arrival, including: Loft accommodations, Actor’s Kitchen, Privy, as well as any other technical pre-arrival concerns.

• Execute transportation logistics (airport/bus/train pickups) in support of Company Manager’s arrival plans.

• Participate in Orientation Day to address technical and site-related information.

• Coordinate Independent Entertainer arrivals and campground accommodations

TECHNICAL & PRODUCTION EXECUTION

• Perform hands-on construction and maintenance of: Performance stages, sets and scenic elements, props and signage, and any other site-specific technical concerns for entertainers and actors.

• Administer the Festival petty cash budget for technical and scenic expenses. Track and report expenditures.

• Facilitate logistical and technical support for rehearsals and workshops.

• Stage-manage Wyldewood Players performances on Festival stages.

• Maintain entertainment’s use of: Housing facilities (technical maintenance only), backstage areas, festival stages and performance sites.

• Address show-related technical needs of Independent Acts.

• Facilitate shared stage use between Independent Acts and Wyldewood Players.

• Provide technical and logistical support for Company Manager’s arrival and promotional outings plans.





Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking someone who is:

• Experienced in light carpentry, scenic work, and/or prop fabrication

• Comfortable working outdoors in all conditions

• Drawn to immersive theatre and collaborative creativity

• Physically capable of lifting up to 50 lbs.

• Organized, communicative, and calm under pressure

• Able to operate stage sound systems

• In possession of reliable transportation for off-site duties



Why This Role Is Different

This is a season spent supporting a living theatrical environment—one that depends on craft, reliability, and teamwork. The work is physical and demanding, but also creative, collaborative, and deeply satisfying. You will be part of a small, skilled team whose work directly enables performers to do their best work every day.

People don’t just remember their time at Sterling.

They carry it with them.



How to Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to:

Gary Izzo, Creative Director

gary@sterlingfestival.com

Learn more about the Festival at:

www.SterlingFestival.com


Salary: $900 per week