I worked as an assistant prop manager at the public in 2022. While I cannot speak for the company as a whole I had a wonderful time in the props department. My coworkers were great and I felt very supported and appreciated by the department heads.

The Public has an enormous problem with designer and assistant designer pay, benefits, and support. I've worked there twice now, both times as an assistant designer. In 2022, I was capped at $15/hr as the assistant designer on a show covered under the USA829 Off-Broadway agreement. In 2023, where assistants covered under the Off-Broadway agreement have won the fight to set their own hourly rate within the bounds of a fixed assistant budget, the Public's assistant budgets ends up being between 50-75% of the amount paid for equivalent work on Broadway. To afford to work as an assistant designer at The Public, I took a second job. For an institution so outwardly vocal about their commitment to equity and diversity, they sure stop short of offering enough money to allow everyone in the city to afford to work for them. Trust nothing that The Public administration says is "policy" until they provide you documentation of it being policy, in writing, that everyone is accountable to. Do not trust them to make benefits payments in a timely manner, even though it is an obligation of the contract they sign. They will do everything in their power to avoid covering software expenses, travel reimbursements, perishables, and tools. This is the most monied non-profit theater subject to the USA829 Off-Broadway agreement, but requests for material support and adequate pay for designers and assistants are met with scorn and exasperation. Avoid, avoid, avoid, unless the terms of your agreement are made favorable.

During my time with The Public, there was a high turn over rate for over hires and full-time staff. There was a great community amongst Associate/Assistant Supervisors. Supervisors were trying their best to fight for fair pay and appropriate work loads but there seems to be a rift somewhere between production and upper management. They do not employ enough staff for the quality and amount of shows they're expecting. The existing staff is stretched thin and already over worked. Over hires are relied on heavily to keep shows moving but aren't usually compensated enough.

This has been my favorite environment to work in to date. I can not say enough great things about this company and how they treat their staff. Working front and back of house on shows at The Public have been many of my greatest joys when working a “survival” job. I can not recommend working here enough!! (edited)