Employment Opportunities
Welcome to Opera Philadelphia's employment and volunteer opportunities source.
Opera Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Open Positions
Administration
Production Manager
Type of Employment: Full Time – Salaried – Exempt
Reports to: Senior Vice President of Artistic Operations
Supervises: Costume Director; Production Coordinator; Staging Staff
Important Staff Relationships: Technical Production Manager; Artistic Administrator; Music Director; Chorus Master; VP Community Programs; New Works Administrator
Central Role: Assumes leading role in the Production Department through advance and management of all non-technical aspects of Production. Serves as primary Production liaison with performance venues and AGMA.
Responsibilities:
Supervise Production Staff Personnel
o Supervise Part Time Costume Director
o Supervise Full Time Production Coordinator
o Hire and supervise staging staff, including Stage Managers, ASMs, Asst. Directors, Choreographers, and Fight Directors
Scheduling
o Generate and revise master production calendar; organize schedule meetings
o Generate overview schedules and ensure timely distribution to artists, staff, and venues
o Support Stage Manager in creation of daily schedules during rehearsal and performance periods
o Manage important deadlines, including those required by AGMA CBA
Production Information Management and Communication
o Prepare production information sheets
o Advance upcoming production needs, acquiring all existing archival materials for rentals or previously produced co-productions. Disseminate production information to all production departments and facilitate actionable items (e.g. assignment of chorus and super roles in coordination with Costume Director and Chorus Master)
o Coordinate effective communication among guest directors, designers, and all members of the production staff
o Anticipate production specific needs as they impact AGMA CBA, including advance notifications and waiver requests
o Organize and run advance production meetings
o Prepare production materials for incoming staging staff
o Finalize production archive information, including archival recordings
Non-singing Performers
o Organize dancer auditions o Manage the casting, contract administration and communications of supernumeraries, and specialty performers
Rehearsal and Performance Supervision and Administration
o Manage and administer staff and performer hours and crew calls
o Work with all production departments to ensure timely response to notes
o Attend super and specialty performer rehearsals as needed to ensure production needs are met
o Run production meetings during technical period
o Ensure production standards during run of performances
o Maintain standards of safety and response to safety, health and emergency concerns in compliance with Opera safety handbook
Advance Planning
o Budget for future seasons
o Coordinate research of future productions
o Create and assure adherence to production deadlines for new productions
• Other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• 3-5 years’ experience in opera production and/or stage management
• Knowledge of standard, contemporary, and chamber opera repertoire
• Computer literate in Office Windows
• Ability to work in a team-based work environment
• Ability to maintain several projects of equal priority at once and sustain productivity under pressure
• Evening and weekend work required
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and references to David Levy at levy@operaphila.org. No phone calls.
Opera Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer.
Education Level: Bachelor's Degree
Become a Supernumerary
Have you ever dreamed of being part of an opera production onstage at the Academy of Music? Apply to become a “super” – a non-singing extra – and your dream just might come true!
A super will never sing an aria or having a starring role, but supers are important members of the cast no matter how small their roles may seem. Supers often appear as townspeople, servants, soldiers, and many other characters. They may even have multiple roles to play in one opera. Whatever the part, supers help to flesh out scenes and add detail and authenticity to a production. Our super needs vary from show to show, but at different times we need men, women, boys, and girls, of all ages, shapes, and sizes. To be added to our database of supernumerary candidates,
please click here to complete an information form and attach a recent photograph. (Due to the nature of the casting process, applications without photos will not be considered.) You will be contacted if your profile matches our needs for a particular opera production. Thank you for your interest!
Principal Singers
From time to time we hold auditions to listen to new singers. If you are an experienced singer with training in opera please contact us for more information. Unfortunately due to schedule and personnel limitations we cannot promise a response to your inquiry. Inquiries may be made via email or regular mail. Opera Philadelphia does not accept or respond to inquiries submitted via fax, telephone, or social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Please send all materials (letter, résumé, and photo) to:
Michael Eberhard
Artistic Administrator
Opera Philadelphia
1420 Locust Street, Suite 210
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Chorus
The Opera Philadelphia Chorus auditions are now closed for the 2013-2014 season.
Orchestra
There are currently no openings in the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra.
Music Staff
At this time we have no openings available on the music staff, but we are always happy to accept a current résumé for our files should our needs change. Please send relevant information to:
Michael Eberhard
Artistic Administrator
Opera Philadelphia
1420 Locust Street, Suite 210
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Volunteer Opportunities
Another way to get on the stage is to join the Opera Philadelphia Volunteer Program.
Opera Philadelphia understands the importance of a strong volunteer base that believes in, and is motivated to achieve, our goals and objectives. Volunteers play a vital role by helping to increase financial support, reducing costs, and providing skilled assistance.
Please complete the Contact Form for more information.