"Company & Stage Manager for Opera"

Position Summary

The Company & Stage Manager ensures that the day-to-day operations and public performances of the Shepherd School of Music’s Opera Department are executed with excellence and professionalism. This position serves as Stage Manager for opera productions, concerts, opera scenes programs, auditions, and other voice-related events and special projects as assigned.

The Company & Stage Manager coordinates all travel logistics, including flights, lodging, ground transportation, and itineraries for guest artists. This position serves as a key member of the production leadership team, liaising with a diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and patrons on a daily basis.

The Company & Stage Manager reports to the Director of Opera Studies and works closely with all members of the opera department staff, including the Director of Operations and Director of Production for Opera.

The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and possesses exceptional time management and organizational skills. They are collaborative, adaptable, and thrive in a dynamic artistic environment.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person at Brockman Hall for Opera. Available to work nights and weekends as required. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis, may be substituted
• 3+ years of experience as a stage manager working in a professional theater organization or university/conservatory music or theater program
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills

• Ability to read music and follow musical scores
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational communication skills
• Ability to give direction and delegate responsibility clearly and patiently
• Ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Ability to work successfully with a range of strong artistic personalities
• Ability to support the needs of undergraduate and graduate students in a supervisory capacity
• Commitment to working in a collaborative environment serving a diverse group of constituencies and situations
• Proven knowledge, skills, and ability in emergency preparedness and incident management
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Google Workspace (GCal, Drive), and arts-based scheduling systems

Preferences

• 4+ years experience as a stage manager working in a professional theater organization or university/conservatory music or theater program

Essential Functions

• Serves as stage manager for all opera productions and projects as determined by the Director of Opera Studies. Responsibilities include:
  • Running all staging and technical rehearsals
  • Ensuring that the rehearsal space is set for all music and staging rehearsals
  • Collaborating with Opera Department staff to create schedules, agendas, calendars, and other production paperwork
  • Creating, maintaining, and finalizing all necessary production paperwork
  • Maintaining all artistic and production values during the run of the production
  • Supervising assistant stage managers, student workers/crew as applicable
  • Attending production and post-production meetings as required
• Supports opera/voice department auditions, special events (i.e., master classes), etc., as needed
• Fosters a culture of respect and safety within the rehearsal setting; implements and upholds policies that create an inclusive, supportive environment for students
• Mentors and guides students to prepare them for professional settings through hands-on production experience
• Acts as the primary coordinator between the academic, artistic, and production elements of the department
• Creates and oversees surtitles from sourcing to input to production
• Coordinates travel, housing, and rental cars for out-of-town artists
• Organizes on-site hospitality for visiting guest artists
• Researches and communicates accurate budget figures to the Director of Production for all artist travel and accommodations
• Organizes and manages the Pack Language Institute Study Abroad Program
• Oversees and maintains the SSM prop inventory, including sign-outs and storage
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• As needed, supports special Shepherd School and/or Rice University events, internal or external rentals in the Morrison Theater, working closely with the Director of Production for Opera and members of the SSM Facilities and Production teams

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in PDF format to the Supporting Documents section of the application