Employment & Internships

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Position Summary
Pittsburgh Opera is seeking a full-time Director of Production to advance the company’s commitment to artistic excellence, uphold safety standards, and steward all production activities in support of the company’s mission and long-term financial goals. The Director of Production is a member of the senior management team and oversees all staged productions, Resident Artist Program productions, outreach events, special events, and all other events that require production support. The Director of Production reports to the General Director.

Key Responsibilities:

• Production Stewardship: Participate in the season planning process, researching and advising on productions, scheduling, and budget implications. Responsible for recommending, engaging and managing all necessary technical personnel for productions and the Production Department. Responsible for negotiating set and costume rentals for all productions and stewarding the design process for all new productions with directors, designers, and opera staff. Maintains Pittsburgh Opera production rental catalogue and establishes rental rates and conditions.
• Budgeting and Financial Management: Develops production budgets that support the planned season and align with the company’s overall financial goals. Develops production calendars and timelines for each production and determines time, labor and material requirements for each production. Oversees management of all expenses, payroll, and purchases related to productions and events and provides regular financial reporting to senior leadership.
• Technical Operations and Safety Compliance: Oversee all technical, design, and logistical elements of opera production and events. Attend all lighting sessions, technical rehearsals, and performances. Serves as liaison with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust venues and other community venues regarding production matters. Serves as company’s primary resource on stage safety and compliance with all necessary industry regulations.
• Labor Relations: Serve as team leader in negotiations of IATSE union agreements and fosters collaborative and respectful relationships with various unions with which Pittsburgh Opera has agreements.
• Facilities and Warehouse Management: Oversees company’s warehouse and shop operations. Works with senior management to manage and oversee the Bitz Opera Factory (Pittsburgh Opera’s headquarters) including ongoing maintenance, facility management, and equipment purchases.
• Leadership: Fosters a team based, problem-solving culture, and promotes an inclusive, respectful work environment that advances the company’s vision. Collaborates with other senior managers and Pittsburgh Opera staff to provide support for outreach events, fundraising activities and special events presented at the company’s headquarters.

Job Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as Director of Production, Production Manager, or related production experience in opera.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, ability to budget and prepare new productions, and running large scale productions.
• The ideal candidate will bring a collaborative, solution-oriented approach and brings effective and proven skills in oral and written communication, team building, organization, and analytics.
• Excellent computer skills with MS Office and project management programs.
• Experience working with union crews and collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience with sound and lighting equipment and setting up equipment for events.
• Ability to lift and carry material weighing 25-50 pounds and to work evenings and weekends.
• Commitment to Pittsburgh Opera’s mission, values, and ethical standards.
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

This is a full-time exempt that requires a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.

Starting salary range for this position is $105,00 to $115,000 annually commensurate with experience and demonstrated skills and is negotiable within that range.

If interested, please send a resume, cover letter, and a list of 3 professional references to:
Kristin Gatch via email.

Pittsburgh Opera is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Pittsburgh Opera Internship Program seeks mutually beneficial relationships with individual interns who are interested in opera, whether from an artistic or an organizational perspective. Each intern will be provided with opportunities to be creative, to accomplish real-life work that furthers the mission of Pittsburgh Opera, and to develop personally and professionally. In return, Pittsburgh Opera will receive valuable assistance that contributes significantly to the organization’s goals.

Internships run at various times throughout the year and are available in several areas, including development, artistic, production, and education.

To apply for an internship, please send a letter of intent, resume, and a letter of reference from an academic advisor to:

Internship Programs
Kristin Gatch, Executive Assistant
Pittsburgh Opera
2425 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

No phone calls, please.

Become a Student Ambassador!

Now is a perfect time to become a Student Ambassador, spreading the word about Pittsburgh Opera and enjoying exclusive benefits!  Established by five intrepid women in 1939, Pittsburgh Opera is viewed as one of the most vibrant opera organizations in the U.S., with a rich artistic tradition, outstanding educational programs, and a progressive outlook toward the future that we want you to be a part of. 

Even if you don’t know much about opera (yet!), if you’re outgoing and enthusiastic then we’d love to work with you. For those interested in a career in arts marketing or education, becoming a Student Ambassador is great opportunity to gain firsthand experience while enhancing your resume.  Student Ambassadors will be asked to hang posters on campus and to be a presence at campus fairs/events.  Most importantly, we want to hear YOUR ideas about how best to share Pittsburgh Opera with your fellow students.

As a Pittsburgh Opera Student Ambassador, you’ll receive:

• A pair of complimentary tickets to each Benedum Center production
• A free membership to the New Guard, Pittsburgh Opera’s young professional network
• Networking opportunities with Pittsburgh Opera staff and other Student Ambassadors

If you can entice your fellow students to buy tickets over the course of the season, you can earn even more benefits!

• 5+ tickets – Get the star treatment with a pair of VIP seats at the Song Shop concert of your choice
• 15+ tickets – See the show before anyone else with an invite to a Benedum Center show final dress rehearsal

Please contact us via email letting us know why you would make a great Ambassador and an example of how you’d like to promote the opera on campus. We look forward to hearing from you!

Pittsburgh Opera knows that the opera stars we love to see on stage would never be able to share the beauty and thrill of the operatic voice without the teachers that helped them along the way. We want to share our love for all voice teachers out there and connect with those who love opera singers as much as we do.

Pittsburgh Opera’s Voice Teacher Ambassador program is a new initiative designed for teachers both locally and beyond to enjoy exclusive benefits, share their perspective, and help continue to spread the operatic joy that Pittsburgh Opera is dedicated to bringing to the public. Established by five intrepid women in 1939, Pittsburgh Opera is viewed as one of the most vibrant opera organizations in the U.S., with a rich artistic tradition, outstanding educational programs, and a progressive outlook toward the future that we want you to be a part of.

Whether you are a seasoned professor working in a university or run a dedicated private vocal studio, if you are enthusiastic about developing the voices of the world’s opera divas then we’d love to work with you. Voice Teacher Ambassadors will be asked to share Pittsburgh Opera’s digital season of free operatic performances with their students and, as we return to in-person live theater, encourage their students to visit our stages and experience our productions first hand (special student priced tickets are always available). Most importantly, we want to hear YOUR ideas about how best to share Pittsburgh Opera with your students. Please contact us via email to discuss. We look forward to hearing from you!

As a Pittsburgh Opera Voice Teacher Ambassador, you’ll receive:

• Complimentary tickets to Opening Night of each of our Benedum Center productions
• Free admission to our Opera Up Close programs, which offer an in-depth look at the upcoming production with the artists that make them happen
• Complimentary access to select Master Classes throughout the season
• Access to complimentary “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the Arts” workshops
• Virtual and In-Person Networking
• Participation in surveys and “think tanks” with other industry professionals
• Access to select educational resources