Current Vacancies
We thrive on working with a range of different people and ensuring that our projects are fully accessible to all. We love working with new people whether you are a new member joining one of our groups, a volunteer, a freelance artist sharing your skills or a paid role.
Below you will find a details of our current opportunities to work with us. We have a detailed Equal Opportunities Policy and Recruitment Policy.
Costume & Prop Manager
The Witches of Essex Community Heritage Project
Key information:
Title: Costume & Prop Manager for The Witches of Essex Community Heritage Project
Start date: 22nd September 2025
End date: 31st October 2025
Payment: £300 (Fixed fee)
Working hours: 1 day per week (Wednesdays) for 3 days fixed temporary contract
A brief outline to the project
The Witches of Essex Community Heritage Project is a new project run by our Black Dog Theatre Creation community group and supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund. The aim of this new community project is to create a new project exploring the witches of Essex and particularly, of St Osyth, an Essex village around which a series of ‘Witch’ accusations spread in the 1580s along the coast to Clacton, Hamford Water and Walton. Following on from our recent successful local Victorian community heritage project with Alfie James Productions; we have teamed up once again with the Essex Records Office to continue developing our historical enquiry and archives research skills whilst also developing a new skills in using and developing audio and digital archives. In this project, we are also delighted to be working with local Historian and Writer Professor Marion Gibson, and we hope that the project will support the new emerging Essex Witches Museum by providing them with a series of educational resources. The project will be open to approximately 15-20 local participants in Colchester (Essex) focusing upon (but not limited to) engaging with people with poor confidence and mental health issues. Participants will be invited to attend a weekly workshop where we will develop historical enquiry skills, use archives, artefacts, performance techniques and visits to research to develop an understanding of the stories of those who were accused of witchcraft. We will create a series for educational and learning materials as well as developing a series of audio stories / monologues bringing to life some of the real-life stories of those accused to share to the local community.
Specific duties to the role:
As our Costume & Props Manager you will work in a team with the Trustees and staff, Volunteers and Participants supporting each other with the general running of the project and guiding the team towards its collective vision and shared goals. Duties include (but not limited to):
1. To work with the Project Leader to help organise the use of key artefacts to be used in workshops.
2. To network with museums, local costume hire companies to create links and to hire costumes and props to be used in workshops and our performance.
3. Work with volunteers and participants to take costume sizes and manage costume fittings.
4. Attend workshops and rehearsals to manage costumes and props.
5. Work with The Project Leader to manage the communication and hire of costumes and props.
6. Attend dress/tech rehearsals and performances.
7. Complete feedback form at the end of the project.
We are looking for someone local to Colchester who is enthusiastic about both heritage and theatre and making the arts and heritage more accessible for others. You will have excellent communication skills and a positive outlook ad a good sense of humour. You will have experience in a similar role and working with vulnerable adults with experience of both heritage. This role is subject to a DBS check.
To download a complete job description outline please click the vox below:
To apply:
Please send us a copy of your CV along with a cover letter or a video/audio recording telling us a little bit about yourself, your experience and what you can bring to the project. (Please note, recordings should be no longer than 5 minutes in length)
Submit to:
blackdogtheatrecreation@gmail.com
Closing date: 15th September 2025 12 NOON
Interview date: WED 17TH SEPTEMBER
Technician
The Witches of Essex Community Heritage Project
Key information:
Start date: 1st October 2025
End date: 18th October 2025
Payment: £300 (Fixed fee)
Working hours: Performance days TBC
A brief outline to the project
The Witches of Essex Community Heritage Project is a new project run by our Black Dog Theatre Creation community group and supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund. The aim of this new community project is to create a new project exploring the witches of Essex and particularly, of St Osyth, an Essex village around which a series of ‘Witch’ accusations spread in the 1580s along the coast to Clacton, Hamford Water and Walton. Following on from our recent successful local Victorian community heritage project with Alfie James Productions; we have teamed up once again with the Essex Records Office to continue developing our historical enquiry and archives research skills whilst also developing a new skills in using and developing audio and digital archives. In this project, we are also delighted to be working with local Historian and Writer Professor Marion Gibson, and we hope that the project will support the new emerging Essex Witches Museum by providing them with a series of educational resources. The project will be open to approximately 15-20 local participants in Colchester (Essex) focusing upon (but not limited to) engaging with people with poor confidence and mental health issues. Participants will be invited to attend a weekly workshop where we will develop historical enquiry skills, use archives, artefacts, performance techniques and visits to research to develop an understanding of the stories of those who were accused of witchcraft. We will create a series for educational and learning materials as well as developing a series of audio stories / monologues bringing to life some of the real-life stories of those accused to share to the local community.
Specific duties to the role:
We are looking for someone local to Colchester who is enthusiastic about both heritage and theatre and making the arts and heritage more accessible for others. You will have excellent communication skills and a positive outlook ad a good sense of humour. You will have experience in a similar role and working with vulnerable adults with experience of both heritage and theatre. This role is subject to a DBS check.
To download a complete job description outline please click the vox below:
As our Technician, you will work in a team with the Project Leader supporting each other with the general running of the project. Duties include (but not limited to):
1. To work with the Project Leader to help manage the lighting and sound for our performances.
2. Attend dress/tech rehearsals and performances.
3. Support us when recording our audio stories and scenes.
4. Edit our audit files.
5. Complete feedback form at the end of the project.
To apply:
Please send us a copy of your CV along with a cover letter or a video/audio recording telling us a little bit about yourself, your experience and what you can bring to the project. (Please note, recordings should be no longer than 5 minutes in length)
Submit to:
blackdogtheatrecreation@gmail.com
Closing date: Monday 15th September 2025 12 noon.
Interview date: Thursday 178th September 2025
WE’RE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS, LOCAL ARTISTS & VOLUNTEERS
We are always looking for new people to work with including:
-New Members for all our groups (Adults aged 18+)
-Local Artists who may like to collaborate with us or be our guest workshop leaders sharing their skills.
-Volunteers to support our members
Please get in touch if you’re interested