GRADUATE ASSISTANTS AND TUITION SCHOLARS
General Information
1. Graduate Assistant Types and Minimum Responsibilities:
a. A full-time Graduate Assistant is granted a full tuition remission and a full
stipend. A full- time Graduate Assistant is required to work 300 hours per
semester plus an additional 20 hours training in the first semester.
b. A part-time Graduate Assistant is granted full tuition remission and a half
stipend. A part- time Graduate Assistant is required to work 200 hours per
semester plus an additional 20 hours training in the first semester.
c. Graduate Assistantships are available in set construction and lighting,
properties construction and scenic painting, costume construction, and public
relations (PR).
2. Tuition Scholar Types and Minimum Responsibilities:
a. An Acting Scholar is granted a full tuition remission. An Acting Scholar is
required to audition for every production and must accept any role given.
Acting Scholars are required to participate in a minimum of 7 productionsfunctioning as either an actor or fulfilling a production practicum. If an Acting
Scholar is cast in all eight productions, the eighth production is considered
service to the department.
b. A Research Scholar is granted full tuition remission and is required to work
100 hours per semester at the discretion of the Chair.
3. Graduate Assistants and Scholars are required to maintain a "B" average (GPA =
3.00) - the minimum required of all graduate students. Since the number of
applicants far exceeds the number of available awards, Graduate Assistants and
Scholars should strive to do much better than the "B" minimum.
4. Full-time Graduate Assistants are not permitted to take other employment
while holding a full-time graduate assistantship.
5. Scholars are cautioned against taking other employment. The loss of time to
other employment may make maintaining the minimum "B" average for difficult.
6. Graduate Assistants and Scholars do not receive summer stipends. However,
they may be given a waiver of tuition for summer courses after their first year in
exchange for 35 hours of service over the course of the summer at the discretion of
the student's advisor.
7. The Department Chair supervises Graduate Assistants and Scholars’ service to
the department and their programs of study, but the Chair may delegate their
supervisory role to other faculty and/or staff members.
8. Graduate Assistants and Scholars must attend all colloquia provided by their
departments and they participate and assist in seminars and forums as directed by
the chairperson.
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9. Graduate Assistants and Scholars may borrow books from the library with a six
week limit, but they will receive a waiver for all fines for overdue books. They may
also take journals (current and bound periodicals) to department offices for sameday photocopying.
10. Graduate Assistants and Scholars have the opportunity to request an
assistantship or scholarship renewal for their second year. Part-time Assistants
may request a promotion to full-time, which will be considered based on availability.
11. All international students with student visas are required to carry a minimum of
three credit hours each semester. Questions should be directed to Mr. Hubert Whan
Tong (hubert.whantong@villanova.edu), in Connelly Center, 2nd floor (610-5198017).
IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THESE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES,
all application materials must be completed by February 1, 2016.
Interviews/Auditions for Graduate Assistantships and Scholarships will be
held on February 19, 2016.
Please contact Ashley Leamon (ashley.leamon@villanova.edu) if you are
unavailable on that date.
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ASSISTANTSHIP JOB DESCRIPTIONS
JOB TITLE:
PRIMARY
FUNCTION:
Graduate Assistant- Set Assistant
Under minimal supervision and with explicit instruction and training, to build
and support scenic, lighting, and audio/visual elements for the productions
in Vasey Theatre. Also to support department functions and improvements,
studio, workshop, or outside productions associated with the Villanova
Theatre and Visual Art Department.
TYPICAL JOB  Loading and unloading trucks with lumber, scenery, or debris outdoors.
DUTIES:
 Setting up a scene shop on a daily basis which includes carrying and
erecting a table saw, compound mitre saw, and work tables
 Using a screw gun repetitively on the floor or over head
 Crawling under the stage in the trap room that is 18” high to run 50’
length cables or drill holes
 Erecting and dismantling a 14’ scaffold while wearing a harness.
 Climbing a 14’ scaffold and ladders to hang lights, run cable, or install
scenery
 Climbing a 14’ ladder carrying a 20lb lighting fixture with the purpose of
hanging it overhead to the fixed grid while wearing a harness
 Climbing a 14’ ladder repetitively, approximately 50 times in one day
 Driving a truck to the on campus dumpster to dispose of scenery
 Driving a truck to local stores to pick up supplies such as hardware or
lumber
 Sweep, mop, and paint. This includes cleaning the theatre seats and
lobby after build is complete.
 Two assistants per show will be assigned to do dimmer check and set
check and are responsible for maintaining the current production.
 Use of personnel man lift.
WORK
 The theatre shop space has no ventilation system and is a dusty
CONDITIONS
environment.
 The outside of the theatre is often a work space where there is
exposure to heat, cold, sun, and rain.
SPECIALIZED Table Saw, Compound Mitre Saw, Circular Saw, Router, Jig Saw, Cordless
TOOLS
and Corded Screw guns, Sawzall, Right Angle Grinder, Band Saw,
Portaband, Power Sanders, Metal Cutting Saws, Pneumatic Staple and Nail
Guns
HOURS

Standard work hours are Monday-Friday; 9:30am – 4:00pm with a 30
minute lunch break

Work will on occasion begin at 9:00 and will occur on the weekends

During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends
per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14 hours
per day

All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final
performance
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JOB TITLE:
Graduate Assistant- Costume Assistant
Under minimal supervision, and with explicit instruction and training, to
build, shop for and create costumes for the productions in Vasey Theatre.
Also to support department functions and improvements, studio, workshop,
or outside productions associated with the Villanova Theatre Department.
 Serving as Assistant to the Costume Designer on two shows per year
o Using Word and Excel to make costume plots and shopping
lists
o Maintaining Dropbox folders for each show - scanning and
uploading research, sketches, and paperwork
o Taking notes and photos in fittings
o Driving to the mall, thrift stores, etc. to purchase costume
pieces
o Being present in the theatre during technical rehearsals to take
notes
 Serving as First Hand or Pinner in the shop
TYPICAL JOB
o First Hand: cutting out patterns as instructed by Cutter/Draper
DUTIES:
o Pinner: pinning costume pieces together to create projects for
stitchers
 Sewing by hand and machine as needed
 Craft projects using dye, paint, glue, or other materials
 Pulling costume pieces from department storage on West Campus and
maintaining codes and organization
 Supervising and teaching undergraduate workstudy students sewing
skills and technical terms
 Carrying 25 – 40 lb bags of clothing up and down stairs to and from
department storage on West Campus
 Standing for up to five hours at a time

The costume shop is an indoor workspace with exposure to dyes and
WORK
paints
CONDITIONS 
The West Campus department storage has no ventilation system and
is a dusty environment
SPECIALIZED 
Sewing machines, overlock machine, steam iron, steamer
TOOLS

Mallets, pliers, leather punch, scissors

Standard work hours are weekdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with an
hour lunch

Part-time assistants work three days a week, full-time assistants work
four

Assistants may be asked to work over fall and spring breaks and
HOURS
return early from winter break

During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends
per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14 hours
per day

All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final
performance
PRIMARY
FUNCTION:
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JOB TITLE:
Graduate Assistant- Props and Scenery Paint Assistant
PRIMARY
FUNCTION:
Under minimal supervision and with explicit instruction and training, to
build, shop for, and create props as well as paint scenery for the
productions in Vasey Theatre. Also to support department functions and
improvements, studio, workshop, or outside productions associated with
the Villanova Theatre Department.



TYPICAL JOB

DUTIES:






WORK
CONDITIONS


Loading and unloading trucks with large and heavy items and carrying
large items up and down stairs
Driving for the purposes of shopping for and obtaining props from
department storage
Lifting a 50lb bucket of paint
Using a screw gun repetitively on the floor or over head
Climbing a 14’ scaffold carrying a paint bucket and brush
Having a wide range of motion to roll, or brush scenery
Standing, leaning, walking and lifting for at least 6 hours a day
Using Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop
Maintaining and cleaning stock, storage, tool and shop facilities
The theatre and prop shops have no ventilation system and are dusty
environments
The West Campus department storage has no ventilation system and
is a dusty environment
The outside of the theatre is often a work space where there is
exposure to heat, cold, sun, and rain
Table Saw, Compound Mitre Saw, Circular Saw, Router, Jig Saw, Cordless
SPECIALIZED and Corded Screw guns, Sawzall, Right Angle Grinder, Band Saw,
TOOLS
Portaband, Power Sanders, Metal Cutting Saws, Pneumatic Staple and
Nail Guns, P50 Staple Gun, Hot Glue Gun, and Sewing Machine

HOURS



Standard work hours are Monday-Friday; 9:30am – 4:00pm with a 30
minute lunch break
Work will on occasion begin at 9:00 and will occur on the weekends
During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends
per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14
hours per day
All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final
performance
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JOB TITLE:
PRIMARY
FUNCTION:
TYPICAL JOB
DUTIES:
Graduate Assistant- Marketing & PR Assistant
Provide support for all of Villanova Theatre’s live and digital communications
efforts (including press releases, e-blasts, social media, phone and e-mail
correspondence). Assist in planning and set up for departmental events
(receptions, talk-backs, open house, etc.). Coordinate box office activities,
group sales, subscription campaigns, special events, and house
management. Manage desktop publishing projects such as the
layout/design of playbills, posters, advertisements, and recruitment
materials. Assist with mailing, filing, general office duties. Familiarity with
basic graphic design, desktop publishing, video editing, and ticketing
software is encouraged, though some training will be provided. Must have
strong written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail,
and a high level of professionalism.
 Draft written material for press releases, e-blasts, and social media
 Generate graphic material content using Adobe Photoshop and
InDesign
 Layout playbill material, flyers, etc. in InDesign
 Manage social media sites
 Monitor, update, and adhere to Marketing & PR deadline calendar in
Google
 Process tickets in Vendini
 Set up for special events (food, beverages, tables)
 Loading and unloading event and concessions supplies (must lift up to
25 pounds)
 Driving for the purpose of shopping and postcard distribution
 Maintaining and cleaning shared spaces (office, green room, lobby)
 Answering phone and e-mail inquiries
 Remain seated at desk for up to six hours
 General office duties (mailing, filing, ordering office supplies)
WORK
CONDITIONS
Shared office space.
SPECIALIZED
TOOLS


Mac and PC computers
Printer/Copier/Fax Machine

Standard work hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:00am –
4:00pm with a 30 minute lunch break.
The Marketing & PR Assistant may be asked to work occasional nights
and weekends.
During Technical Rehearsal periods hours are significantly increased
and are for 14 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday.
All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final
performance

HOURS


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TUITION SCHOLAR EXPECTATIONS
TITLE:
Acting Scholar
PRIMARY
FUNCTION:
Receives tuition remission to study and perform in our program. Performs
in any shows he/she is cast in. Considered a leader and an example of
professional conduct and process in rehearsals.
TYPICAL
DUTIES:
WORK
CONDITIONS
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

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Audition for all 8 Villanova Theatre productions
Perform in Villanova Theatre productions when cast
Be an example of professional conduct in classes and rehearsals
May be called upon to join production team if not cast (light board,
sound board, etc.)
May perform material for promotional events
May be asked to drive the University truck


Air conditioned or heated rehearsal and performance spaces
Air conditioned or heated shared gendered dressing rooms
SPECIALIZED 
SKILLS


HOURS
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Previous performance training
Vocal training (singing or otherwise)
Possible rehearsal hours:
o Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 pm – 11:30pm
o Friday 6-11:30
o Saturday-Sunday anytime from 11 am until 11:30 pm (will not
exceed 8 hours with 1 hour break).
o Mondays are days off.
During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends
per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14
hours per day.
Acting Scholars may be required to rehearse during Fall or Spring
break or return early from Winter break to attend rehearsals.
Acting Scholars are required to be at strike for each show after the
final performance.
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TITLE:
Research Scholar
PRIMARY
FUNCTION:
Assist Villanova University’s Theatre faculty by providing research support,
coordinating professional development, and aiding in administrative tasks.
Curate and manage the Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium,
Villanova University’s annual research conference. Manage and edit Praxis,
the accompanying online academic journal. Must have strong written and
verbal communication skills, dramaturgical expertise, strong attention to
detail, and a high level of professionalism.



Assisting faculty in professional and academic projects through research
support
Assist Department Chair in day-to-day organization
Manage Philadelphia Research Symposium and Praxis e-mail and
telephone correspondence
Generate material for event brochures and invitations
Set up for special events (food, beverages, tables)
Loading and unloading event and concessions supplies (must lift up to 25
pounds)
Driving for the purpose of shopping and event set up.
Remain seated at desk for up to six hours
WORK
CONDITIONS


Air conditioned or heated shared office space
Personal desk area
SPECIALIZED
SKILLS





Basic knowledge of Mac and PC operating systems
Microsoft Suite
Research skills
Professional writing
Printer/Copier/Fax Machine operation

Standard work hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 10:00am –
4:00pm with an hour lunch break.
The Research Scholar may be asked to work occasional nights and
weekends.


TYPICAL
DUTIES:
HOURS
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