Seasonal Employment
Join us for an incredible summer in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
We are now accepting online submissions for our 2026 Season
Employment Equity Statement
The Black Hills Playhouse strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply or audition. We are an equal opportunity employer and applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.
Theatre 605 The Black Hills Playhouse (BHP) seeks creative professionals and emerging professionals of all backgrounds for a 13-week summer stock season in beautiful Custer State Park in South Dakota. These are seasonal employment contracts.
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Season start & end dates. May 18 or 20 - August 16, 2026. Dates vary by contract.
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All positions include room & board. What does that mean exactly? Housing is provided in our scenic location in Custer State Park and meals are made fresh on campus during all workdays specifically for the company. Housing and meals are valued at $250/weekly.
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Job descriptions and payscales are found below. Intern positions are paid $400 week plus room and board. When hiring is complete for the season (generally late March to mid-April), it will be posted on the website and social media.
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In 2024, we saw about 900 people at auditions, received 450 auditions online, and had approximately 150 tech and customer support applications for just over 1500 people vying for positions at the Black Hills Playhouse
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2026 Audition/Interview Locations
How to prepare for Auditions / Interviews:
1. Sign up for an audition slot with the contact person listed below.
2. Submit an application online HERE . No need to submit a video if you are auditioning in person.
NOTE: KCACTF and UPTAs are for registered participants only.
3. Prepare a monologue and short song--total of 2 minutes only, please. OR, not a musician? Prepare two contrasting monologues (2 minutes TOTAL). Show us your range.
NOTE: In-person auditioners must bring sheet music for the accompanist at the audition. Online auditioners should upload a 2 minute video with the application.
Rapid City, SD
First Baptist Church, 707 St. Patrick St.
To Be Announced
Vermillion, SD
University of South Dakota
To Be Announced
Macomb, IL
Western Illinois University
To Be Announced
Cape Girardeau, MO
Southeast Missouri State University
To Be Announced
UPTA - Memphis
February 6-9, 2026
Register online at www.upta.org for audition and interview information.
Can't make the audition locations? Online applications accepted through February 1. Please refer to requirements above.
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Production Manager
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Stage Manager
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Head Electrician
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Sound Engineer/Asst. Elect.
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Electrician Intern
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Technical Director
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Assistant Technical Director
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Head Carpenter
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Carpenter Intern
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Stagecraft Intern
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Costume Shop Manager
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First Hand/Cutter/Draper
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Stitcher
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Stitcher Intern
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Head Props
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Props Intern
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Charge Artist
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Scenic Artist
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Designer**
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Director**
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Choreographer**
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**Hiring for design positions is usually done between September and December previous to the season.
Technical Positions & Design
Touring Children's Theatre Jobs
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Theatre 605 seeks Tour Actor/Directors for the Dakota Players children's theatre.
We are always accepting applications for Tour Actor/Directors! We hire according to booking needs. Theatre 605 is seeking Tour Actor/Directors for our touring outreach company, Theatre 605 Tours, which provides theatre education opportunities throughout South Dakota and surrounding states.
Audition materials should be limited to 2 minutes and include a song and a monologue. Please send all questions to tours@theatre605.org. This position works with children and other vulnerable populations. Pre-employment background checks and are required.
Position:
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Tour Actor/Director
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Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
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Student Auditions
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Leading rehearsals (musical theatre experience preferred)
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Student Workshops
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Set up and tear down of set, sound, and lights
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Minor costume repair
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T-shirt/Music sales
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Tour Business
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Loading and unloading of tour vehicle
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All aspects of production
Contract Dates:
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We are always accepting applications for Tour Actor/Directors! We hire according to booking needs.
Compensation:
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TOUR ACTOR/DIRECTORS are paid $600/wk salary. Tour Actor/Directors are responsible for their own meals while on tour. Housing is provided by the BHP while on tour or working at the Sioux Falls location.
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Theatre 605 supplies the tour team with a tour vehicle and all needed props, costumes, sets, lighting/ sound equipment and workshop materials needed to fulfill the residency requirements.
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Theatre 605 is a special places to learn and grow your expertise in your field. We hope you will join us as part of our education outreach programming. It will be a fantastic year! Below you will find information about the job and the outreach program.
Who we are:
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Founded in 1999 as the Children's Theatre Company of South Dakota (CTCSD) and becoming Dakota Players in 2010, Dakota Players addresses two serious voids in the arts in South Dakota. Black Hills Playhouse in 2025 was rebranded to Theatre 605 to note the work we do all across South Dakota. First, Theatre 605 Tours provides access to quality theatre experiences and professional theatre artists for children, targeting rural Midwestern communities; and secondly the company provides professional work opportunities in South Dakota for theatre artists. in
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It is our goal to teach and delight children, taking them to that wonderful place where magic, imagination, and reality come together. We teach theatre education to students starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school and beyond. All our touring scripts are original, and all musical productions are written and designed by Midwestern artists.
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