Job

Opera Company Manager

Fisher Center at Bard

60 Manor Ave
NY 12504

Deadline

Rolling

Posted

Dec 13, 2024

OVERVIEW
This summer (June–August 2025), Bard SummerScape returns with a vibrant season of dance, theater, opera, music, and the beloved Spiegeltent. Presented by the Fisher Center at Bard, this celebrated multi-arts festival takes place in person on Bard’s idyllic 1,000-acre campus, featuring performances in the stunning Frank Gehry-designed performing arts center.

The Company Management team works as the key artist services representatives, providing accommodations and services to 400+ SummerScape and Bard Music Festival visiting artists and seasonal staff, specifically in the realms of transportation, housing, and hospitality. The team strives to create a people-centered, hospitality-minded environment for all participants.

Area Company Managers report to William Schuyler, Head of Company Management, and Jess Webber, Programs and Festival Operations Manager and work closely with artists, production staff, project producers, administrative staff, and box office staff. They will supervise the Company Management Assistants and collaborate with the other Area Company Managers (including Housing, Hospitality, Spiegeltent, and Opera Company Managers), as well as company management for visiting artists.

From May 1 - June 11 2025, this is a remote, seasonal, part-time, non-exempt position, paid hourly at a rate range of $25-28/hr, commensurate with experience. Hours will be approximately 10 hours/week. Some site visits and in-person prep meetings prior to June 12 may be requested, availability permitting—transportation and lodging costs will be covered.

From June 12 - August 7, 2025, this is a on-site, seasonal, exempt position, with compensation ranging from $9,300-$10,500, commensurate with experience and availability. Hours will be approximately 40 hours/week. This position requires flexible work hours and evenings/days reflective of the dynamic schedule of a performing arts festival.

Local residence is required from June 12 - August 7; campus housing will be provided free of charge if needed, including a single bedroom and shared amenities based on availability. Beginning June 12, employees will have access to three (3) meals per weekday and two (2) meals per weekend day on campus during the residency period. Should campus dining agreements or options change from the time of the agreement, an equivalent per diem will be provided. PLEASE NOTE: Room and board may differ for current Bard College students.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Responsibilities
Work with Opera Producer, Rehearsal Coordinator, and other area Company Managers to support the SummerScape 2025 opera artists and staff
Be present for all opera rehearsals and represent company management at opera production meetings
As a point person for the opera company, manage the flow of information from the opera company to the other company management area leads to ensure housing, hospitality, and travel requests are received and responded to
Assist area company managers and coordinate with assistants for on-the-ground needs, e.g., setup for catering, driving artists, delivering requested items to housing, etc.
Drive company vehicles for various opera-related purposes, as needed

General Company Management Responsibilities:
Become a Bard Certified Driver with the campus Transportation Office
Develop an artist-centered, hospitality-minded, safe, and comfortable environment for all visiting artists and staff
Support special programming events, including first rehearsals and opening nights
Create and distribute itineraries, welcome packets, and other resources
Contribute to the management of the department budget, including tracking and reconciling
Covering for other areas of company management as it specifically relates to the opera company; including housing, transportation, and general operations when that specified manager is unavailable or on their day off
Supervise company management assistants and other festival staff, ensuring job standards are being met
Collaborate with and manage team members with professionalism, kindness, and enthusiasm
Have a “no task is too small” mentality

Company-Wide Responsibilities:
The Fisher Center is currently undergoing an organization-wide process of change toward becoming an anti-racist, multicultural institution. All on staff are expected to:
Commit to anti-racism and inclusivity at the Fisher Center. This includes participating in any trainings when scheduled, supporting departmental, company-wide, and cross-departmental collaboration in issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and furthering your own independent journey with anti-racism.
Contribute in meaningful ways to the organizational culture.

LOCATION

Bard’s beautiful 1,000-acre campus is situated on the east bank of the Hudson River in Annandale-on Hudson, New York. Community life is defined by numerous cultural and recreational opportunities in the surrounding historic Hudson River Valley and by proximity to New York City. Nearby towns and villages include Rhinebeck, Tivoli, and Red Hook, New York.

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and they welcome applications from those who contribute to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

ABOUT THE FISHER CENTER

The Fisher Center develops, produces, and presents performing arts across disciplines through new productions and context-rich programs that challenge and inspire. As a premier professional performing arts center and a hub for research and education, the Fisher Center supports artists, students, and audiences in the development and examination of artistic ideas, offering perspectives from the past and present, as well as visions of the future. The Fisher Center demonstrates Bard’s commitment to the performing arts as a cultural and educational necessity. Home is the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Frank Gehry and located on the Bard College campus in New York’s Hudson Valley. The Fisher Center offers outstanding programs to many communities, including the students and faculty of Bard College and audiences in the Hudson Valley, New York City, across the country, and around the world. Building on a 164-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. Learn more about the Fisher Center, its programs, and its values at fishercenter.bard.edu/about.

ABOUT BARD COLLEGE

Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place estate, Bard’s campus consists of nearly 1,000 park-like acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs, graduate degrees in 11 programs, nine early colleges, and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 165-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal education. The undergraduate program at the main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.

Requirements

EXPERIENCE

Professional experience in the performing arts, eg. hospitality/company management, theater management, etc.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

A welcoming demeanor and positive attitude are a must. Company Management team members are often the first people that visiting artists, personnel, and the public will meet while at the festival.
No two days will be the same; the ideal candidate will be flexible, collaborative, and possess a willingness to jump in to handle high-priority tasks with the team. They should have a ‘no task is too small’ mindset.
Excellent organization skills, communication skills, and superior attention to detail.
Must be able to work closely with other team members and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and solving problems quickly.
Proficiency with Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, shared Drives).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Work experience and/or studies in opera are highly encouraged.
Familiarity/experience with AirTable will be beneficial.
Valid drivers license and van driving experience is a plus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires hours during some evenings/weekends, reflective of the dynamic schedule of a performing arts festival

Application Instructions

Complete the application form here: https://near.tl/sm/BNXi3Hzk_

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For any questions or issues with the application form, please contact fcjobs@bard.edu.