Auditions and Employment
Auditions
artÉmotion
January 19, 2020
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LEARN MORE
BalletMet Summer Intensive
February 2, 2020
2:00 - 4:00 PM
LEARN MORE
Dance Theatre of Harlem
March 15, 2020
9:30 AM Check in
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Audition #1 (ages 8-13)
11:30 AM: Check-in
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Audition #2 (ages 14 and up)
REGISTER
Michigan Opera Theatre announces the following vacancy
Second Trombone
Audition date: November 21, 2019. Application deadline: October 1, 2019. Auditions will be by invitation only. Position to begin Fall 2020.- Please submit your one-page resume by October 1, 2019 to orchestra.auditions@motopera.org.
- Invitations to audition will be emailed by October 9, 2019.
- An audition deposit of $75.00 will be required from invited applicants.
Information for Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus Members
ABOUT:
The Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus is hired on a per production basis. Michigan Opera Theatre engages its artists under an American Guild of Musical Artists contract.
Michigan Opera Theatre holds auditions for the chorus once per calendar year for the following opera season. Chorus members must audition each year. If offered a chorus position in one or more operas, the following information will apply.
PAY SCALE:
Chorus Pay levels: (as of 9/01/19)
B (1st– 8thproduction): $18.00 per rehearsal hour; $138.29 per performance.
A (9th+ production): $19.00 per rehearsal hour; $164.68 per performance.
Chorus is paid every 2 weeks
ABSENCES:
All conflicts with the rehearsal and performance schedule must be submitted when you accept the position, and the Company retains the right to excuse or not excuse the conflict(s). In the event of unexcused conflicts, the Company reserves the right to withdraw the contract offer.
Any subsequent conflicts must be submitted with explanation to Elizabeth Anderson in the Production Department (313.237-3405). The Company retains the right to excuse or not excuse any subsequent conflicts.
Any absence not previously excused by the Company is considered unexcused.
Late arrival for rehearsals and unexcused absences will be documented with a letter designating your tardy or absence. A copy of this letter will be kept in your file at Michigan Opera Theatre.
The following sections of the current collective bargaining agreement address tardiness &/or absences as follows:
Paragraph 28(j)(1) of the AGMA basic agreement:
“Frequent and repeated unexcused tardiness is disruptive to the rehearsal and performance process, and may be considered a breach of contract. Accordingly, frequent and repeated tardiness may result in discipline or dismissal.”
Paragraph 28(j)(2) of the AGMA basic agreement:
“Frequent and repeated unexcused absences are disruptive to the rehearsal and performance process. Three (3) or more unexcused absences within a season may constitute a breach of contract, and, accordingly, may result in discipline or dismissal.”
Paragraph 28(j)(5) of the AGMA basic agreement.
“The COMPANY reserves the right to dismiss a CHORISTER from any production if the CHORISTER’S absence makes continuing in the production impractical.”
AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS
American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is the union that represents our musical artists including the chorus.
The Company engages musical artists under an AGMA Standard Artist’s Contract for Employment. Each artist engaged will have the right to join or refrain from joining AGMA in accordance with Michigan’s right to work law. Regardless of whether you join AGMA, the terms of the CBA with AGMA will apply to your work with MOT.
AGMA elects local representatives. The current representatives noted below, are fellow members of the chorus and are available to answer any questions as well as give you a copy of the contract between MOT and AGMA so you are fully aware of your rights, responsibilities, and protections. Please address all questions regarding the union to your AGMA representative or to AGMA directly.
Membership in AGMA::
AGMA initiation fee is $1000. This amount can be worked out on a payment plan through the union directly. AGMA requires you to pay dues in the amount of $79 per year as well as a 2% fee deducted from every paycheck. The $79.00 is billed annually beginning in December and will be due and payable by January 31.
A copy of the agreement between Michigan Opera Theatre and AGMA is available in the Production Department upon request.
You may find more information at www.musicalartists.org. Please make sure that you review the page marked “Member Info”
Contact info:
American Guild of Musical Artists
1430 Broadway, 14th floor
New York, NY 10018
Toll free: 1-800-543-AGMA
212.265-3687
212.265-1314
Scheduling
The schedule you receive with your offer of employment is subject to change. You will continue to receive schedules from the Opera as dates or times are updated to adjust to the production schedule for the show. Per our union contract, we are required to notify you of any change of schedule 48 hours in advance.
You may notice dates that are followed with “(option)”. This means that the Opera is holding that date and that time for a rehearsal and reserves the optionto cancel it. You will be notified in advance if the rehearsal is to be cancelled.
Costume fittings are scheduled during the rehearsal period for each show. Fittings are scheduled by the Costume Shop utilizing a web-based scheduling system. If your measurements were not returned to the company when you signed your contract or have changed dramatically since your previous work with MOT, please contact Suzanne Hanna, shanna@motopera.org, to have new measurements taken.
Sign-in Sheets
Sign in sheets will be posted on a bulletin board outside the rehearsal space before every rehearsal or performance. You are required to sign in upon arrival. If you do not sign in you cannot be paid. Please make sure you sign in legibly prior to every rehearsal.
Music
Michigan Opera Theatre will provide you with the chorus parts for the opera you are involved in. You will be notified via email when those parts are available to you. Parts are signed out from the Production Department, located on the 3rd floor of the Detroit Opera House. If you are interested in purchasing a full piano vocal score for the opera you are in, you may contact the Production Coordinator for information on the edition being used.
Music is to be returned before the final performance of the show being performed. If your copy is not returned by that time you will be responsible for the cost of its replacement. It is not an option to “purchase” your chorus score as a memento.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are held in the Detroit Opera House. Every time you enter the building, you will enter at the Stage Door, located on the Madison Street side under the smaller of the two red awnings. You are required to sign in prior to each rehearsal downstairs at security and sign out when you leave (in ADDITION to the sign in sheets posted outside your rehearsal location).
Depending on other events being held in the building, your rehearsal space may change. Please refer to your schedule to notify you of where to go in the building.
BUILDING ETIQUETTE:
Rehearsals and performances are restricted to those involved in the show only. This applies as well after a production moves from the rehearsal space to the stage. No chorus guests or family are allowed backstage at any time.
Food and drink are not allowed in the rehearsal room or on stage. Water is acceptable if in a closed container.
Parking
Michigan Opera Theatre will provide you with a parking pass to park in the Detroit Opera House Parking Center.
If you lose this parking pass, you will be charged $5 for a replacement.
Notification
Michigan Opera Theatre communicates with the chorus through email. While on contract (first rehearsal – last performance) you are expected to check email on a regular basis for any updates or communicationfrom the theatre. Following the initial offer of employment from MOT, all correspondence comes from the following address: production@motopera.org. Please make sure to add it to you address book so that you receive all information coming from the company.
Memorization Expectations
Michigan Opera Theatre requires that your music be memorized 2 rehearsals PRIOR to your first rehearsal with the conductor for the production.
Complimentary & Discount Tickets
The Company provides each Chorister 2 complimentary tickets to a performance designated by the Company, in which the Company is the sole producer, for each production in which he/she appears. In order to receive these tickets each Chorister is required to sign up for the tickets on a form provided by the Company. This sign-up sheet shall be available no later than one week before opening night of said production.
AGMA Artists receiving complimentary tickets may be required to pay the ticket administrative fee uniformly charged for all tickets, which fee shall not exceed $4.00.
The Company provides each Chorister employed in at least one production during the season a 25% discount on the purchase of tickets for all opera production during that season. This discount is based on availability, and limited to 2 tickets per production unless otherwise approved by the Company.
Michigan Opera Theatre has completed chorus auditions for our 2019-2020 season.
The Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus is a professional group of diverse men and women of all professions and backgrounds. Choristers rehearse select weekday evenings and weekends for each production period.
We are always looking for professional singers to join our roster. If interested in receiving future notification of chorus auditions please complete the form below to be added to our mailing list. You may contact Michigan Opera Theatre directly with questions regarding our chorus at production@motopera.org.
Be notified of Chorus auditions
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Jobs
Employment
The Digital Media Manager and Storyteller will play an essential role for Michigan Opera Theatre in supporting company objectives, charged with elevating the presence and relevancy of opera and dance in metro Detroit through a combined and unique set of journalism, media, and design skills. The Digital Media Manager and Storyteller is a creative and innovative self-starter who develops digital content to ensure Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Opera House reaches and engages loyal audiences on all digital and social media platforms.
The Digital Media Manager and Storyteller is charged with curating and communicating stories of mission-driven impact to the broader community and acts as an embedded journalist, covering MOT programs and capturing the experiences of our patrons, musicians, guest artists, and program participants to effectively support growth in audiences, partnerships, and contributions—all critical to MOT’s strategic plan.
The Digital Media Manager and Storyteller is also charged with engaging and growing new audiences across all digital and social media platforms.
Specific Responsibilities and Duties
- Articulates and creates a long-term strategy for successful audience growth across multiple digital platforms, including:
- YouTube and Vimeo
- Spotify
- Company website
- Others as deemed effective/necessary
- Builds and executes a yearly digital content plan that incorporates winning strategies for all relevant digital platforms, prioritizing continued engagement of current followers/patrons, along with the growth of new followers and potential ticket buyers and donors.
- Generate an expansive archive of MOT’s demonstrated impact in the community and serve as a critical resource for proposal development and effective reporting to major funders and other vested partners.
- Manages sponsored content budget
- Identifies and executes digital content partnerships to enable growth
- Collaborates with MOT staff, musicians, leadership, program participants, and patrons to achieve interesting, engaging, and relevant storytelling and content
- Acts as a journalist that attends majority of community and education events to capture experiences across various media, including the development of featured stories and the interviewing/surveying of participants for the purposes of program impact and efficacy
- Create deliverables that help convey the heart and soul of what MOT represents in a way that resonates with audiences and MOT stakeholders alike.
Competencies
- An affinity for the arts
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate creative individuals and team members
- Expert knowledge of social media platforms
- Creation, management, and execution of comprehensive content calendar
- Deep understanding of winning content approaches that are suitable for different platforms
- Ability to learn new media platforms quickly to evolve with the social media landscape
- Knowledge of streaming services, especially those providing a paywall option
- Strong ability and experience creating online short-form video
- Photo editing skills required
- Photography skills required
- Experience in Adobe Creative Suite
- Ability to manage competing organizational priorities
Position Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree preferred, with a specialization in Communications, Creative Writing, or Journalism
- Budget management experience
- Minimum of 3 years experience writing and producing media content
- Minimum of 3 years digital/video content creation experience
- 2-3 years experience in negotiating with vendors/outside entities preferred
- Must be able to provide a portfolio of work, including writing samples and either videography or photography samples capturing live events and public gatherings
- Ability to work evenings and weekends when needed
- Experience in Adobe Creative Suite
- Ability to operate in a PC network environment
Note: The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.
Position Reports to: Director of Marketing and Communications, Director of Development
Classification status: Full-time
Last updated: 9/3/2020
Compensation
Compensation is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of this position.
The position of Digital Media Manager and Storyteller is made possible in its first two years by an OPERA America Innovation Grant, supported by the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.
Application Process:
To apply for this position in confidence, please send resume and cover letter to: Employment@MOTopera.org. Applications may be addressed to Nancy Mims, Director of Human Resources.
Michigan Opera Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity in our workforce.
The Patron Services Associate for Michigan Opera Theatre is responsible for assisting patrons with all ticketing and purchase needs. He/she acts at all times as a steward of Michigan Opera Theatre. The Patron Services Associates serves patrons efficiently, accurately and politely at all points of contact, understands and implements donor retention strategies and ensures the highest level of patron satisfaction. This is a part-time position.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Greets and serves all patrons in a positive, supportive, friendly and polite manner in accordance with MOT’s patron-centered culture of excellence.
- Working with Patron Services Manager, monitors sales to sales goals, works with the Patrom Management Team to develop strategices and monitors implementation of action plans to achieve sales revenue goals for subscription and single tickets.
- Contributes to the maintenance of a supportive and fulfilling work environment.
- Sells subscription and single tickets to all Opera and Dance events by phone and in person in the box office.
- Assists customers with internet ticket purchases.
- Performs data entry of phone/mail/telemarketing/complimentary ticket orders using Tessitura ticketing system.
- Manages patron complaints and concerns on behalf of MOT, assuring each patron a timely and thoughtful response.
- Work at theatres during theatre box office hours and show times, selling tickets, processing comp requests and assuring that patrons are comfortably in their seats prior to curtain time, including working the will call booth if necessary.
- Prints will call tickets prior to show time.
- Answers phones as required in the box office and, as needed, in the main office.
- Develops positive working relationships with staff from every department, assuring clear lines of communication and the continued effective knowledge base of current MOT events and activies.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Position Qualifications:
- Must posess exceptional interpersonal skills, both in person and by phone, with patrons, board, staff members, volunteers, performers, other MOT constituents and the general public.
- Previous ticketing and/or phone center experience required. Proven sales and customer service experience required.
- Demonstrated record of experience in cash handling, customer service and salesmanship is required.
- Possess the ability to work well in an extremely fast paced, ever changing environment.
- Ability to problem-solve and think quickly on one’s feet.
- High degree of flexibility in response to daily shifting priorities.
- Knowledge of the Michigan Opera Theatre’s season programs and offerings.
- Prior experience with a ticketing system is necessary; functional knowledge of Tessitura is a plus.
- Must be able to handle the physical demands commensurate with an active box office and concert schedule. Ability to spend up to three hours on your feet with no break and some occasional lifting of 25+ pounds.
- The ability to work a flexible schedule including regular weekdays as well as evenings and weekends is required for this position.
- High energy and passion for MOT’s mission is important for this role
Note: The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.
Position Reports to: Ticket Office Manager
Classification status: PART-TIME, non-exempt, hourly
Position Summary
The security officers for the Michigan Opera Theater (MOT) serve a series of critical roles, many of which are detailed below. This vital position offers both independent and team-oriented shift work. All officers consistently serve as a representative of the MOT and must conduct themselves accordingly. The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Protects, monitors and secures Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Opera House buildings, parking structure, grounds, staff, patrons, visitors, vendors and performers ensuring the safety of all
- Creates and maintains a safe environment for all
- Provides a welcoming, friendly and reassuring presence; exhibits an authoritative presence that will help deter criminal activity
- Conducts frequent security checks by patrolling facilities and grounds
- Provides a welcoming demeanor to patrons, visitors and staff and offers directional assistance when needed
- Remains vigilant for unusual or potentially threatening activity and responds as needed in the safest and most effective manner in accordance with department procedures
- Assists those in need as needed
- Investigates and removes trespassers/violators
- Monitors and controls building access verifying credentials upon entrance
- Monitors surveillance cameras for suspicious activity
- Acts as an escort to employees and visitors as needed
- Sounds alarms and/or calls for outside assistance when needed in emergencies (911)
- Prepares and maintains detailed accurate reports, noting any damages, theft or other incidents by the end of each shift using appropriate formats
- Follows all federal, state, local and company-enforced laws and regulations
- Ensures adherence to company radio procedures
- Responds to all alarms, medical and fire emergencies, or other matters as they arise in accordance with the relevant procedures and policies
- Responds with equanimity and tact to inquiries and complaints
- Participates in traffic control and crowd management duties as needed
- Completes assigned training in a timely manner
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Ability to pass background check
- Safe driving record (golf cart use as necessary)
- Minimum of 1-year relevant security experience or equivalent
- Ability to work a variety of shifts (including midnights, weekends and/or extended hours)
- Ability to walk, run as needed
- Ability to stand for up to 3+ hours
- Ability to lift up to 60 pounds
Preferred Qualifications:
- First aid/CPR certified
- Self-defense skills
- Microsoft Office Suite competence
Classification status: Full time, non-exempt, hourly
Last updated: 9/3/2020
Application Process:
To apply for this position in confidence, please send resume to: Employment@MOTopera.org
Michigan Opera Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity in our workforce.
Position Summary
The security officers for the Michigan Opera Theater (MOT) serve a series of critical roles, many of which are detailed below. This vital position offers both independent and team-oriented shift work. All officers consistently serve as a representative of the MOT and must conduct themselves accordingly. The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Protects, monitors and secures Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Opera House buildings, parking structure, grounds, staff, patrons, visitors, vendors and performers ensuring the safety of all
- Creates and maintains a safe environment for all
- Provides a welcoming, friendly and reassuring presence; exhibits an authoritative presence that will help deter criminal activity
- Conducts frequent security checks by patrolling facilities and grounds
- Provides a welcoming demeanor to patrons, visitors and staff and offers directional assistance when needed
- Remains vigilant for unusual or potentially threatening activity and responds as needed in the safest and most effective manner in accordance with department procedures
- Assists those in need as needed
- Investigates and removes trespassers/violators
- Monitors and controls building access verifying credentials upon entrance
- Monitors surveillance cameras for suspicious activity
- Acts as an escort to employees and visitors as needed
- Sounds alarms and/or calls for outside assistance when needed in emergencies (911)
- Prepares and maintains detailed accurate reports, noting any damages, theft or other incidents by the end of each shift using appropriate formats
- Follows all federal, state, local and company-enforced laws and regulations
- Ensures adherence to company radio procedures
- Responds to all alarms, medical and fire emergencies, or other matters as they arise in accordance with the relevant procedures and policies
- Responds with equanimity and tact to inquiries and complaints
- Participates in traffic control and crowd management duties as needed
- Completes assigned training in a timely manner
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Ability to pass background check
- Safe driving record (golf cart use as necessary)
- Minimum of 1-year relevant security experience or equivalent
- Ability to work a variety of shifts (including midnights, weekends and/or extended hours)
- Ability to walk, run as needed
- Ability to stand for up to 3+ hours
- Ability to lift up to 60 pounds
Preferred Qualifications:
- First aid/CPR certified
- Self-defense skills
- Microsoft Office Suite competence
Classification status: Part time, non-exempt, hourly
Last updated: 9/3/2020
Application Process:
To apply for this position in confidence, please send resume to: Employment@MOTopera.org
Michigan Opera Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity in our workforce.
Today, we announce the appointment of Yuval Sharon as the first Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director!