Company Artist Assistant Director
DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Company Artist Assistant Director
Department: Production
Reports to: Production Stage Manager
Status: Full Time Seasonal/Exempt (39 weeks)
Classification: Onsite
Compensation: Full-time seasonal employee salary of $1125.00 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.
2026-2027 SEASON CONTRACT DATES
Company Artists are established professionals looking to make their seasonal home with Minnesota Opera. Company Artists vary in discipline and contribute to the overall goals and values of the company by serving the dual role of professional and mentor, as they collaborate frequently with our Resident Artists. The Company Artist Assistant Director will be hired for the full season, totaling 39 weeks of work in the 2026-2027 season. This position is expected to reside in the Minneapolis area for the duration of the contract. Anticipated contract dates and productions include:
September 1, 2026, through May 29, 2027: The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Ariodante, Falstaff
SUMMARY
As a member of the Staging Team, the Assistant Stage Director’s primary function is to serve as Assistant Stage Director on all main stage productions. They may also provide stage direction and staging team support for the Season Preview Concert, Production Workshops, MNOP Gala, Resident Artist Program Auditions, MNOP+ concerts, and other ancillary events as assigned. The Company Artist Assistant Stage Director program may include professional development opportunities such as Workshops in stage intimacy, movement and stage combat, certification in Mental Health First Aid, and meetings with industry professionals for the purpose of creating professional connections. The Assistant Stage Director provides coaching for Resident Artist singers in collaboration with Music Staff and may work directly with MNOP’s Impact team on various education initiatives.
MNOP:
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 more information, please see Minnesota Opera Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion click here.
Minnesota Opera is an AA/EOE Employer and is particularly interested in how the perspective that of candidate of color could be valuable for our company in this role.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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 and scan book as it will 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.
Resident Artist Program Information Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Program offers a full season of employment for talented artists beginning their professional careers. Resident Artists gain valuable experience through mainstage productions and community performances, while refining their skills off stage and mentoring with guest instructors and staff. Responsibilities to support this program include but are not limited to:
· Provide dramatic coachings for Resident Artist singers.
· Assist with or provide stage direction for possible MNOP+ events with Resident Artists and possible guest performers, as assigned.
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. 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
Please Note:
If hired, candidate will be expected either to reside within commuting distance of Minnesota Opera or be willing to relocate prior to beginning work.
First deadline for submission: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 5:00p CDT.
Applications will be reviewed and responded to upon receipt.
Submission date will be extended as necessary.
Desired Start Date: September 1, 2026
BENEFITS
Pay Range: $1,125 - $1,125 Weekly
Medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, disability, Paid Family Medical and Sick Leave (PFML) , 403B, pet insurance, paid sick and vacation
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. Application 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 go to the search team for review.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2026
Application Email/Link: mnopera.org/about/jobs/