Administrative Internship Program
Interested in a career in the arts? Want to learn about producing a world-class opera festival? Opera Theatre’s seasonal administrative internships offer hands-on experience collaborating to produce a world-class opera festival, as well as the opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills crucial in today’s arts and non-profit landscape.
Past interns have gone on to enjoy careers at Opera Theatre, the Metropolitan Opera, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the American Repertory Theater, San Diego Symphony, and other arts organizations across the country.
- Artistic Administration Intern
- Company Management Intern
- Development Intern
- Digital Media & Marketing Intern
- Education Intern
- Finance Intern
- Photography Intern
- Press & Communications Intern
- Production Intern
Dates of Employment:     mid/late April – early July, 2023
Supervisor(s): Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Manager of Artistic PlanningÂ
Works with:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Artistic Administration; Senior Manager of Artistic Administration; Artistic Coordinator; Clayco Artistic Fellow
Hours:                        Approximately 30–40 hours per week
The Artistic Administration Intern is an essential support member of the Artistic department during the Festival Season, providing administrative support in the areas of artistic planning and artist services to the team and Opera Theatre’s singers, directors, designers, and music staff. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting with logistics such as housing and transportation, scheduling, coordinating auditions, and music library cataloguing.
The Artistic Administration Intern must be able to interact with artists and patrons in a variety of settings and have strong organizational and communication skills. They should have a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and an ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. An interest in classical music and an ability to read music is preferred, but not required.
This position requires that the candidate have their own car (company mileage is reimbursed) and be able to work some evenings and weekends. Candidates must be able to lift 35 lbs.
Dates of Employment:     early/mid April – late June/early July, 2023
Supervisor(s):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Senior Manager of Artistic Administration
Works with:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Artistic Administration; Manager of Artistic Planning; Artistic Coordinator; Clayco Artistic Fellow
Hours: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Approximately 35 hours per week
The Company Management Intern is an essential support member of the Artistic department during the Festival Season, providing artistic and operational support to the Artistic Department and Opera Theatre’s singers, directors, designers, and music and production staff.
The Company Management Intern must be able to interact with artists and patrons in a variety of settings and have strong organizational and communication skills. They should have a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and an ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. An interest in classical music and an ability to read music is preferred, but not required.
This position requires that the candidate have their own car (company mileage is reimbursed) and be able to work some evenings and weekends. Candidates must be able to lift 35 lbs. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, and be able to operate a 15-passenger rental van, which OTSL insurance regulations stipulate include being a minimum age of 25.
Dates of Employment:     early May – early July, 2023 (part-time work in April possible)
Supervisor(s):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Senior Manager, Events & Sponsorship
Works with: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Development; Senior Manager of Donor Engagement; Development Assistant; Managing Director of Advancement; Advancement Fellow
Hours: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Approximately 35-40 hours per week
The Development Intern assists with Opera Theatre’s season donor events, which include approximately 20-30 dinners and receptions for patrons, as well as a gala benefit. Many of these events are in the evenings and on weekends. Responsibilities include organizing invitation mailings, tracking responses, event set-up and clean-up, and updating event attendee lists. The Development Intern will be trained in Tessitura, Opera Theatre’s development and box office software.
This position is very detail-oriented and requires great organizational skills. Previous event experience is helpful but not required. Word processing and spreadsheet literacy is required. This position requires a self-motivated individual, able to interact with donors, volunteers, and staff in a range of professional and social situations. Working evenings and weekends required.
Dates of Employment:        late April – late June, 2023Â
Supervisor(s):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Digital Marketing Manager
Works with: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Marketing & Public Relations; Graphic Designer & Brand Manager; Press & Communications Manager; Box Office staff
Hours: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Approximately 35-40 hours per week
The Digital Marketing and Media Intern will be responsible for assisting with the following: copywriting and layout of marketing emails, daily monitoring of social media engagement, providing friendly and customer-oriented responses to social media inquiries, planning and executing social media influencer events during the season in conjunction with the Press & Communications Intern, the capture of backstage and experiential photo and video content, brainstorming and copywriting of web blog and social media posts, basic photo manipulation and graphic design necessary to aid in the execution of the aforementioned tasks, assisting with Young Friends event planning and staffing, and materials distribution.
Applicants should be strong creative and business writers and possess a strong grasp of digital marketing technologies. Experience managing social media accounts for established groups or organizations preferred. The successful applicant will also show a high level of initiative and organization. This position will be wonderful experience for a quick learner and organized worker who seeks professional mentorship and can work independently on several projects at once.
The Digital Marketing & Media Intern must have their own transportation (company mileage is reimbursed) and must be able to work some evenings and weekends.
In addition to your resume, please submit a PDF or link (if applicable) to any previous digital marketing samples or writing samples.
Dates of Employment:         early May – late June, 2023
Supervisor(s):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Education & Engagement Manager
Works with: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Education & Engagement
Hours:                   Approximately 30–40  hours per week
The Education Intern will perform administrative duties that support the education department’s season activities for young people and adults. This individual will work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, artists, students, teachers, and constituents, assisting with virtual programming including the Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training program, SIng Out! Camp for High School Vocalists, Opera Explorers, Music!Words!Opera! Teacher Training Workshops, Docent Presentations, and other seasonal activities.
The ideal candidate should have completed or be currently pursuing a degree in music, theater, arts management, and/or education. Extraordinary attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, strong people skills, and excellent oral and written skills are required. Previous experience in coordinating and/or implementing programs is helpful, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is necessary. Knowledge of singing and opera repertoire is preferred but not required.
Dates of Employment:         approx. May 15 – July 14, 2023
Supervisor(s):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Controller
Works with: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Administration & Finance;Â Accounting Manager; Payroll & Benefits Administrator; Bookkeeper, Accounting Clerk
Hours:                                   Approximately 35–40 hours per week
The Finance Intern is an essential member of OTSL’s Administration & Finance department, working directly with the Controller and the Accounting Manager to support the organization’s financial operations. Responsibilities include assisting with cash management and tracking across the Festival Season, working in the company’s accounting software, collaborating on data entry projects, maintaining financial records, and other administrative projects.
This position will be trained in the Abila MIP accounting software, and will work with several members of the Administration & Finance department on projects across the length of the internship.
This position will be wonderful experience for a quick learner who is detail-oriented and organized; who seeks professional mentorship; and who can work independently.
This position requires a working knowledge of Microsoft Word & Excel, and availability some evenings and weekends during late May/June.
Dates of Employment:        mid May – late June, 2023
Supervisor(s): Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Works with:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Digital Marketing Manager; Press & Communications Manager; Graphic Designer & Brand Manager
Hours:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Approximately 25 hours per week (varies)
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Working with the Marketing and Public Relations Department and the company photographer, the Photography Intern will shadow on dress rehearsal photography shoots and serve as the primary photographer for non-performance events throughout the season. These non-performance events may include a variety of activities including pre-show picnics and guests, post-show parties, marketing and fundraising special events, educational youth camps, young artist master classes, and other events. Besides shooting non-performance events themselves, the Photography Intern will assist in additional photo shoots as needed with the company photographer and videographer. The intern will assist OTSL’s Graphic Designer & Brand Manager in maintaining an organized photo archive, assist in photo selection for press purposes, and retouching/resizing photos. This intern may also be asked to help with other creative projects pertaining to photography or photo editing.
Most of OTSL’s photographable events take place on evenings or weekends, so this internship will require the flexibility to accommodate a changing work schedule every week, with an emphasis upon non-standard business hours. We ask applicants to take this into consideration when applying — an example of a possible weekly 25-hour schedule is below:
- Mon: off
- Tue: 12pm-5pm (photography and photo editing)
- Wed: 6:30pm-11:30pm (photography)
- Thu: 12pm-4pm (photo editing), 5:30pm-7:30pm (photography)
- Fri: 2pm-5pm (photo editing)
- Sat: 5:30pm-11:30pm (photography)
In addition to your resume, please submit a portfolio or link to your work.
Dates of Employment:         late April – late June, 2023
Supervisor(s):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Press & Communications Manager
Works with: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Marketing & Public Relations; Digital Marketing Manager; Graphic Designer & Brand Manager; Box Office staff
Hours:                                    Approximately 35–40  hours per week
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The Press and Communications Intern will be responsible for monitoring stories surrounding OTSL’s Festival Season, maintaining the company’s press archives, helping coordinate on-site media interviews and press events, distributing in-season media alerts, staffing the theater’s press desk as needed prior to performances, assisting in planning and executing social media influencer events during the season in conjunction with the Digital Marketing & Media Intern, brainstorming and copywriting content for Twitter,  coordinating travel and ticket details for visiting press, copywriting marketing messages, proofreading marketing and press publications, sending weekly internal staff updates about local and national press coverage, assisting with Young Friends event planning and staffing, and materials distribution.
The Press & Communications Intern will be an exceptional writer who possesses extremely high attention to detail and a working knowledge of Microsoft Word. The successful applicant will have a team player attitude, be a quick learner who can work independently on several projects at once in a fast-paced environment, and enjoys people-oriented work.
The Press & Communications intern must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Due to the nature of supporting press activities around a performing arts festival, this internship will require the flexibility to accommodate many evening and weekend hours with an ever-evolving weekly schedule. We ask applicants to take this into consideration when applying — one example of a possible weekly 40-hour schedule is below:
- Mon: 9am-5pm
- Tue: 9am-5pm
- Wed: 11am-4pm, 6pm-8pm
- Thu: 11am-4pm, 6pm-8pm
- Fri: 9am-3pm, 6pm-8pm
- Sat: 6pm-8pm
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In addition to your resume, please submit at least one professional or academic writing sample (PDF or link).
Dates of Employment:                    approx. April 17 – June 18, 2023
Supervisor(s):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Production Manager
Works with:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Production and Operations departments
Hours: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Approximately 40 hours per week
The Production Intern assists the Production Manager and the Production Administrator with the organization and operations of the Production and Operations departments to facilitate a successful Festival Season.
Responsibilities include assisting with inter/intra department communications; research; department paperwork and data entry (e.g. welcome letters, PO tracking); collecting and reviewing time sheets; reviewing and posting schedules; department events (e.g. crew meals, education events).
The ideal candidate should be a 3rd or 4th year student in a college technical theatre program or a student in a theatre emphasis MFA program. Strong organizational skills, and a working knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel and mail merge, is required.
This position requires that the candidate have a valid driver’s license and personal vehicle (company mileage is reimbursed). Candidates must be able to lift 60–70 lbs.
In addition to working on projects that are integral to the success of the Festival Season, interns are encouraged to learn from and about roles across the entire company, and are invited to attend additional lectures, recitals, rehearsals, and performances as their schedules permit. The program also includes educational sessions specifically for the interns, designed to further the professional growth of the program participants.
HOW TO APPLY:
Internship Guidelines
- If interested, applicants can and are encouraged to apply for more than one position!
- Applicants must be 18+ and authorized to work in the U.S. (some positions may have additional requirements as detailed)
- All internships are paid at the rate of $15.00 an hour
- Dates and hours for each position vary. Hours may include some nights and weekends (see individual position descriptions)
- Limited shared housing available
- A basic familiarity with opera and classical music is a great help, however it is not required!
- While the majority of our interns are college students or recent college graduates, this is not required. Any qualified applicants will be considered!
All applicants should be prepared to submit the following:
- Name
- Contact Information
- Name and contact information for two references.
- Resume
- A brief personal statement, no more than 250 words, that communicates why you are interested in the internship, and what unique skills and/or experience you will bring to the role.
- Some positions ask for additional work samples or writing samples
Application and Selection Timeline
Application Period: December 2022 – March 2023
Application Deadline: March 1, 2023
Interviews and Selection: mid-February – March 2023
The application deadline for the 2023 Administrative Internship Program has passed.
Please check back in December 2023 for more information about the 2024 Administrative Internship Program.