How to Find an Opera Job

Operas employ a range of talented professionals.

An opera house is run by a host of people with diverse talents. All operas need performers, but they also require stagehands, grips, prop and costume designers, lighting and sound technicians and stage managers. Also working behind the scenes on the opera's day-to-day business are accountants, education and community program staff, box office managers and fundraising and gifts officers. Finding work in the opera takes determination and patience, as these positions are highly sought after and the number of available jobs is often limited.

Instructions

1. Visit the online job board of Opera America: The National Service Organization for Opera, which lists a variety of artistic and administrative positions at operas across the country, including the Boston Lyric Opera, Arizona Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Mississippi Opera and Houston Grand Opera.

2. View job openings at operas you are interested in. Opera America has an online directory of hundreds of operas throughout the United States that you can search for by state and city. Each listing includes the opera company's name, address, phone number, mission statement, description and website address.

3. Check classified ads in online newspapers and on Craigslist, Simplyhired.com, Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com. Browse job listings in print and online versions of alternative weeklies, which tend to be more artsy than traditional newspapers and often list jobs in opera and other artistic disciplines.

4. Read the classified ads in "Hollywood Reporter," "Variety" magazine, Playbill, BackstageJobs.com and TheatreJobs.com for job openings in the performing arts.

5. Visit opera houses in your town or region. Take your resume to the business office and ask to speak with the theater manager or human resources director. Meeting with staff in person will put a face to your resume and help make a more lasting impression.

6. Network by attending operas and learning the names and faces of people in the industry. Seek out individuals who have influence in hiring personnel. Give them your business card and promote your credentials with details about your education, experience and passion for working in opera.

References

• Opera America: Jobs
• Opera America: Membership Directory
• Backstage Jobs
• Playbill

Resources

• Vocational Information Center: Performing Arts Career Guide
• Payscale: Salary Comparison Tool