Assistant Stage Director
DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Assistant Stage Director
Department: Production
Reports to: Production Stage Manager
Classification: Temporary Full Time Seasonal/Exempt (9/11/25- 11/14/25)
Compensation: Full-time seasonal employee salary of $1200.00 per week.
Minnesota Opera’s vision and mission is to sing every story and to change lives by bringing together artists, audiences and community, advancing the art of opera for today and future generations. We aim to inspire hope, empower all voices, and strengthen bonds between people of all backgrounds and identities. To this end, Minnesota Opera commits itself to working continuously to become an antiracist and anti-oppressive organization through the following actions: intentionally acknowledging and examining racism, anti-Blackness, and other discriminatory practices; promoting anti-racist and anti-oppressive ideas, values and policies that counter the oppression of any people during the education, production, promotion and experience of opera; working towards eliminating all forms of oppression; and developing effective tools for social justice.
COSI FAN TUTTE CONTRACT DATES
Assistant Stage Director for Cosi Fan Tutte will be contracted from September 11, 2025 through November 14, 2025. Anticipated contract dates include:
September 11- 28: Prep Period
September 29-November 31: Rehearsal Period
September 21-November 31: Tech Rehearsals
November 1 -9: Performances
November 9-14: Finalize Paperwork and Wrap Up
SUMMARY
The assistant stage director is a key member of the staging team, supports guest stage directors and assists in communications between stage directors, and stage management, and other production staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Include but are not limited to:
Production
Thoroughly prepare for each opera prior to the start of the rehearsal period, being familiar with the text, music, and all available production information. Complete basic dramaturgical research as may be required by the production. For remounts, acquire a complete knowledge of previous productions, including entrances, exits, and onstage action to assist the stage director in recreating the piece.
Create and maintain the primary blocking book for each production, including staging diagrams, stage directions, and notes on dramatic motivations/dramaturgical information. After opening, finalize blocking as a PDF scan of this book will be placed in the Minnesota Opera archives.
Prepare written information to support artists, including but not limited to: synopsis for chorus or supers, libretti for supers, research on historical period, movement, or other appropriate topics for all cast members.
Create, maintain, and distribute chorus, super, or dancer running notes/cheat sheets.
Create, maintain, and distribute the critical chorus and super lists, including assigned covers, prior to final room run.
Create, maintain, and distribute bow list, in collaboration with Stage Director and VP Artistic.
Track music and text cuts, adds, and changes throughout the rehearsal process to create the final cut/add/change list for the production.
Assist the stage director as required. Tasks may include setting staging with cast members, taking notes for the director, communicating with Minnesota Opera team members and guest creative team members, and distributing notes to performers.
Stage cover artists.
Perform staging and stand in for absent artists, as needed.
During technical and dress rehearsals, serve as a liaison between the stage director and stage management staff via headset communications.
Direct light walkers during onstage cueing sessions.
In association with the Production Stage Manager, maintain the production after Opening to the specifications established by the stage director and creative team. Observe all performances and give notes as needed.
Participate in proofing and sharing notes on final staging staff archival documents as needed.
Finalize and archive documents produced by the AD.
Other tasks as assigned in support of staging staff operations.
General
Approach and carry out duties, as designated above, with a positive and collaborative attitude.
Function in a professional and collegial manner when collaborating with all opera personnel, professional creative teams, staff, management and other guest artists.
Represent Minnesota Opera and build positive relationships on its behalf within the profession and with others as appropriate.
Follow procedures and policies of Minnesota Opera as written in the Employee Handbook, Staging Team Handbook, and other applicable documents.
Give support and show appreciation to the Board of Directors, patrons, and other volunteers and supporters of Minnesota Opera.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Attend all company wide, pertinent production EDI training workshops.
Support MNOP’s ongoing work in developing and pursuing anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices, with a particular focus on how those practices impact the rehearsal and staging process.
This position is a good fit for someone who:
Has a minimum of two years of experience as an assistant stage director or in a related position (i.e. stage management, dramaturgy, etc), and is familiar with opera rehearsal processes
Reads music proficiently and has a demonstrated ability to work with a musical score
Has a willingness to work with common opera performance languages. Cosi Fan Tutti is sung in Italian. MNOP may provide language coaching as needed.
Is proficient in Microsoft Office 365 Suite
Clear, effective, and diplomatic written and verbal communications skills
Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
Show initiative to seek out information and advance projects with minimal guidance
Ability and desire to show exceptional attention to detail in all aspects of work
Ability to communicate with and effectively organize large groups of people, including occasional youth performers, in rehearsals
Can see and work in the dark lighting conditions of a backstage environment
Is capable of responsible judgment and mature interpersonal relationships
Has a commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access
Has the ability to think creatively about opera as a field and culture and who is open to interrogating existing practices in the interest of positive innovation
MNOP is willing to teach:
Policies and procedures specific to Minnesota Opera
MNOP’s commitment to Intimacy Direction
Company-specific procedures and paperwork formats
Microsoft 365 and other company-specific software
Coaching and pronunciation in performance languages for the production, as needed
MNOP Diversity Charter:
Minnesota Opera believes that pursuing anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices enhances the beauty and power of the art form itself, and amplifies the tremendous artistry cultivated in our musical storytelling.
For a downloadable version of the full MNOP Diversity Charter, click here.
Minnesota Opera is an AA/EOE Employer and is particularly interested in how the perspective that a candidate of color could be especially valuable for our company in this role.
First deadline for submission: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 5:00p CDT.
Applications will be reviewed and responded to upon receipt.
Submission date will be extended as necessary.
Desired Start Date: September 11, 2025
BENEFITS
Pay Range: $1,200 - $1,200 Weekly
HOW TO APPLY
How to apply:
Please go to https://mnopera.org/about/jobs. In the position announcement/job summary click the red box labeled “LEARN MORE”. You will be directed to MNOP’s Self ID Survey. You are required to fill out the Self ID Survey prior to proceeding to the next page. Once complete, you will be directed to the application page – please submit your application and upload your cover letter and resume. All materials will go directly and solely to the Human Resources Director, Jen Thill. Individual Self ID information will be seen only by the HR Director, application materials will be forwarded to the search team.
or to mail cover letter and resume directly to:
Minnesota Opera
Attn: Jen Thill
620 N. First Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Application Deadline: April 16, 2025
Application Email/Link: mnopera.org/about/jobs/