Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is looking for talented students to fill out the run crews for our season. The pay for these positions is pretty competitive (they pay time-and-a-half overtime for anything over 40 hours a week which is awesome!) I would highly suggest looking into this if you are at all interested (plus, St. Louis is not the worst place to spend a summer if for no other reason than that it is the home of City Museum).
THIS SEASON:
OTSL has produced four operas in rotating rep every spring for over 45 years (2020 being the only exception). This season opens on May 20th with Treemonisha by Scott Joplin with a brand new prologue and epilogue by Damien Sneed, we then dive into Tosca by Giacomo Puccini on May 27th, Cosi Fan Tutte by Wolfgang A. Mozart on June 4th, and Susannah by Carlisle Floyd on June 10th. After that final opening, we run all four operas on the same stage for two weeks. Our season ends on June 25th with the eighth performance of Tosca and strike will be finished by June 30th. By the end, we will have produced 28 evenings of opera plus a young artists showcase concert. Calendar below for your reference.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:
OTSL has a strong commitment to supporting and bringing up the next generation of theatre professionals. Most of our run crews are headed by members of our local IATSE chapter, so students get the chance to work with and learn from stagehands who have been in the business for decades. We also have a seminar program for select crew members. These candidates are invited to sit with some of our designers, directors, stage managers, and long-time staff members as they talk about their careers and philosophies. Candidates get the chance to meet and connect with these seasoned professionals in an intimate setting and ask them questions about their careers, the business, and life in general. Plus, every candidate that participates in the program will be considered for one of a few scholarship grants at the end of the season.
COVID POLICY:
In 2022, we required all staff to be vaccinated, anyone who couldn’t get vaccinated was asked to test daily. We also implemented a testing regime where everyone tested 2-3 times per week. Although we did catch a few positive test results, we were able to determine that every infection came from outside the company and we successfully prevented any spread from person to person within the company. While our COVID policy for 2023 has not yet been set, OTSL prioritizes the safety and well-being of our staff; our policy will be informed by our union agreements (USA Local 829, IATSE, and AGMA) and the advice of our medical advisors.
LIGHTING & ELECTRICS | TOTAL CREW: 8
ASSISTANT MASTER ELECTRICIANS (2): As a Browning Fellow, this position is expected to be a leader on the Electrics Crew, increasing the efficiency of changeovers, and helping less-experienced team members to learn. In addition to working on the Electrics Crew, this position works directly with the IATSE Master Electrician and one of our two season Lighting Designers, learning the board and how to maintain stock during a repertory season. Members of Electrics Crew.
$15.50 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
ASSISTANT DECK ELECTRICIANS (2): As an Emerson Candidate, this position is also expected to be a leader on the Electrics Crew, increasing the safety and efficiency of changeovers, and helping less-experienced team members to learn. In addition to working on the Electrics Crew, this position works directly with the IATSE Deck Electrician building and maintaining practicals, and assisting scene shifts for units with electrical components. Members of Electrics Crew.
$15.25 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
ELECTRICS CREW (4): Complete changeovers (e.g. regularly re-hang and re-focus four light plots), run follow spots for rehearsals and performances. Must have experience with lighting equipment, standard focus procedures, and a basic knowledge of both electricity and wiring. Must be comfortable working at heights and able to maintain a positive attitude while working on a deadline.
$15.00 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
ORCHESTRA OPERATIONS | TOTAL CREW: 2
ORCHESTRA ASSISTANT (1): As a Browning Fellow, this position is expected to be a leader on the Orchestra Crew, increasing the safety and efficiency of changeovers. This position works directly with the IATSE Orchestra Operations Manager and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Players. Member of Orchestra Crew.
$15.25 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
ORCHESTRA CREW (1): As an Emerson Candidate, complete changeovers in the orchestra pit regularly lifting music stands, stacks of chairs and heavy instruments, transfer orchestra materials and instruments from rehearsal halls to theatre and back again as needed. Must be able to lift more than 50 pounds and able to maintain a positive attitude while working on a deadline. Familiarity with hand tools and experience working with musicians a plus.
$15.00 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
PROPERTIES OPERATIONS | TOTAL CREW: 4-6
PROPS ASSISTANT (2): As an Emerson Candidate, this position is expected to be a leader on the Props Crew, increasing the safety and efficiency of changeovers. In addition to working on the Props Crew, this position works directly with the IATSE Props Supervisors and the OTSL Props Manager generating tracking and run crew paperwork. Members of Props Crew.
$15.25 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
PROPS CREW (2): Complete changeovers and perform props run crew duties for each opera in repertory. Occasionally crew members are costumed for onstage moves during the show. Must be familiar with hand tools and able to maintain a positive attitude while working on a deadline; experience with props maintenance a plus.
$15.00 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
SCENIC OPERATIONS | TOTAL CREW: 10
RIGGING INTERNS (2): As an Emerson Candidate, this position is expected to be a leader on the Deck Crew, increasing the safety and efficiency of changeovers. In addition to working on the Deck Crew, this position works directly with the IATSE Stage Carpenters and the OTSL Technical Director ensuring all flown scenery elements are safe. Members of Deck Crew.
$15.25 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
DECK CREW (8): Complete changeovers and perform scenic run crew duties for each opera in repertory, additional hours in the scene shop may become available to work with the IATSE Carpenters on the set for show four. Occasionally Deck Crew members are costumed for onstage moves during the show. Must have experience in standard backstage and shop skills; additional skills will be trained on the job. Must be familiar with hand tools, able to move heavy scenery, able to maintain a positive attitude in stressful situations.
$15.00 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
WARDROBE | TOTAL CREW: 6
WARDROBE INTERN (1): As an Emerson Candidate, this position is expected to be a leader on the Wardrobe Crew. This position works directly with the Wardrobe Managers to learn how to manage quick changes, costume maintenance and costume changeovers. Member of Wardrobe Crew.
$15.25 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
WARDROBE CREW (5-6): Complete changeovers and perform wardrobe run crew duties for each opera in the repertory, maintain costumes, assist singers with costume changes. Must be familiar with costume maintenance (laundering and basic stitching), able to maintain a positive attitude in stressful situations; experience with costume construction a plus.
$15.00 per hour, FT = 40 hours in a week, after 40 = time and one half
To apply: https://opera-stl.org/about-us/work-with-us/ – OR – send cover letter and resume with three references to mbort@opera-stl.org