Internship Opportunties

Opera Theater of Pittsburgh is seeking responsible, highly motivated individuals for 15 exciting, career-oriented internships.

This summer, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh will offer summer internships in production, administration, and artistic administration. Our internship program provides the opportunity for young professionals and students to experience first-hand the fast-paced world of repertory opera and Music Theater.

Interns experience a unique combination of practical work and educational programs, each designed to further your professional growth. Interns will also work directly with professionals under the guidance of supervisors and staff. Interns are engaged for a period of 5 – 10 weeks, with some positions beginning in mid-May. Housing is provided as available. Self-provided transportation is an advantage. Interns will also receive a weekly stipend, and a flexible schedule is necessary for some internship tracks. Internship descriptions are listed below.

Administrative Internships

Box Office Administration – mid-June – mid-July (3 positions)

Assists Box Office Manager with day-to-day operations of the box office; acts as a company representative and reference for patrons. Applicants should have excellent written and communication skills.

Company Management – mid-May – mid-July (1 position)

Assists General Manager and Business Operations & Communications Manager with administrative and clerical functions and works with guest artists and production staff as required. Applicants should have excellent written and communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license.

House Management – mid-June – mid-July (1 position)

House management interns are involved in all aspects of artist- and audience-relations. At Opera Theater, this includes front-of-house and event planning, company management, and building operations. Interns will work in all of these areas (and interact with virtually all Opera Theater departments) while focusing on one of them. Interns should be outgoing, creative problem-solvers and work well with all kinds of people.

Marketing – early-May – mid-July (1 position)

Assists Marketing staff with day-to-day operations and developing and implementing low-cost marketing strategies, database management, and administrative tasks. Applicants should have excellent written and communication skills, proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, and some graphic design knowledge.

Social Media & Public Relations – early June – late-July (1 position)

Shoots, edits and produces (using your own equipment) photographs of performances, rehearsals, cast parties and other company related events for use on the website, in promotional presentations and for local and national publications. Also, Assists Opera Theater staff in coordinating social media outreach; organizing and executing media interviews; basic video editing; developing ideas for and attending promotional events. Applicants should have excellent written and communication skills and proficiency in social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and YouTube).

Special Events & Development – late-June – mid-July (3 positions)

Duties include acting as host/hostess for VIP functions and gatherings; creating displays, themes and decorations for cast parties and other events; creating opening night gifts and welcome baskets for the cast and creative team of each show; as well as a variety of administrative tasks. Applicants should have excellent written and communication skills. Work generally occurs during afternoons, evenings and weekends.

Video & Photographic Production – early-June – late-July (1 positions)

Shoots, edits and produces (using your own equipment) video of performances, rehearsals, cast parties and other company related events for use on the website, in promotional presentations and for local television stations.

Young Artist Program Administration – late-May – mid-July (2 positions)

Assists with housing and transportation of cast members, acts as liaison between Resident/Young Artists and Opera Theater staff, performs administrative tasks and works with guest artists and production staff as required. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license.

Production Internships

Carpentry – mid-June – mid-July (6 interns)

Assists Technical Director and set designers in the building and implementation of the sets, and other duties as assigned. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Costume Coordination – mid-June – mid-July (5 positions)

Works closely with Costume Coordinator, Costume Designers and Wardrobe Mistress. Assists with fittings, obtaining costume pieces, shoe painting, repairs and dressing. Helps with costume inventory & labeling. Takes notes during tech and opening nights.

Hair/Make-Up Design – mid-June – mid-July (2 positions)

Assists Hair/Make-up Designer with fittings, setting & steaming wigs. Organizing wigs and implementing make-up designs during performances. Prior experience working with hair, wigs and make-up helpful.

Lighting - mid-June - mid-July (3 positions)

Assists Lighting Designers with pre-show drafting, light plots and other lighting/technical duties as assigned. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Property Coordination - mid-June - mid-July (2 positions; 1 full-time, 1 part-time)

Assists Props Coordinator in obtaining and designing props, and other duties as assigned. Must have a valid drivers license

Set Design - mid-June - mid-July (1 intern)

Assists set designers with pre-show need, and assists Technical Director in the implementation and building of the set. Must have a valid drivers license.

Stage Management – late-May – mid-July (4 positions)

Assists Stage managers with rehearsals, schedules, works backstage during technical/dress rehearsals and performances, and other duties as assigned. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Fill out the online application form.
2. Email a .pdf copy of your resume of work and related experience to interns@otsummerfest.org.
3. If you are applying for COMPANY MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA/PHOTOGRAPHY, and/or VIDEO PRODUCTION, you must provide 2 (two) writing samples. These should also be sent to interns@otsummerfest.org.

NOTE: Please include your last name and the position for which you are applying in the subject line of your email (i.e. Robinson - Stage Management) when emailing your resume and writing samples.

Each application is only good for one internship position, if you would like to apply for multiple positions, please fill out multiple applications. You must submit resume, in pdf format, to be considered for the 2013 Internship Program. Only one resume is required if you are applying for multiple tracks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Must be at least 18 years old at start of internship to be considered. Limited free housing may be available during the internship period of residence, and each intern is responsible for his/her own food and transportation to and from Pittsburgh. If necessary, local transportation may be supplied by Opera Theater. Interns are strongly encouraged to bring their own cars.

No phone calls, please. If you have any questions, please email interns@otsummerfest.org or drobinson@otsummerfest.org.