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2025 New Works Collective Assistant Stage Director
Position Description
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ (OTSL) Assistant Stage Director is a seasonal, full-time position. They work directly alongside a Stage Director, a Stage Manager, an Assistant Stage Manager, Singers, and Administration by assisting with all aspects of production development throughout the rehearsal and performance process. This position will be responsible for the duties of Assistant Stage Director on the production New Works Collective, a collection of three commissioned 20-minute operas.
Frequent nights and weekend hours will be required. Physical requirements include repetitive motion, bending, twisting, stooping, and lifting up to 35 lbs.
Duties & Responsibilities
Assistant Stage Director responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting Stage Directors in development of the production.
- Maintaining communication between the production’s creative team and OTSL’s Artistic and Production administrative departments.
- Recording and maintaining production’s blocking notes.
- Creating and maintaining paperwork as determined by each production.
- Assisting in clearly communicating and negotiating daily rehearsal schedule needs with stage manager and scheduler.
- Proofreading daily schedule draft.
- Maintaining and disseminating text changes and musical cuts to cast, covers, and staff.
- Reviewing and recommending modifications to English Supertitles.
- Assisting stage management team with rehearsal room setup as needed.
Skills, Experience, Qualifications
- Minimum 1 year assistant stage director experience preferred.
- Ability to read music.
- Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to perform under pressure and maintain professional demeanor.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work nights and weekends.
- Ability to perform required physical movements including: bend, twist, stoop, and lift up to 35 lbs.
Compensation
- This is a seasonal, full-time position.
- Travel and housing are NOT provided.
Dates of Engagement:
- Prep period: Thursday, January 23, 2025 – Friday, January 24, 2025
- Rehearsals & Performance: Saturday, January 25, 2025 – Saturday, February 8, 2025
- Compensation: $2,750.00 TOTAL for engagement period
To Apply
Applicants for the position are asked to submit a resume along with a cover letter that describes their interest in the position and outlines their relevant experience and qualifications.
About Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization known for innovative productions featuring outstanding young artists. The company offers a festival opera season each spring which attracts ticket buyers from zip codes throughout the metropolitan area, as well as visitors from nearly 50 states and multiple countries. As of 2024, OTSL has presented 41 world premieres, which may be the highest percentage of new work in the repertory of any American company. In addition to the spring Festival Season, OTSL operates year-round education and community programs serving nearly 17,000 local children and adults.
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has a year-round artistic and administrative staff of approximately 45, which grows to more than 500 during the Festival Season. Several hundred volunteer members of the Opera Theatre Guild provide support for all aspects of Opera Theatre’s work and advocate for the company throughout the greater St. Louis community. The company’s annual budget size is approximately $12 million; contributed revenue represents more than 50% of budget.
At Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, we value equity, diversity, and mutual respect. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people with disabilities, and others who have been historically excluded to apply. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our community. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
OTSL will not discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion or belief; national, social, or ethnic origin; age; sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression; physical, mental, or sensory disability; family or parental status; genetic information or characteristics; protected veteran status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. OTSL will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
If you need assistance or accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact (314) 963-4233 or tbennett@opera-stl.org.