Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts

Opera Producer

The Opera Producer is a key member of the Fisher Center producing team. This individual is responsible for artistic coordination and line producing of the SummerScape opera and semi-staged Bard Music Festival productions. The Opera Producer also coordinates singers for other Bard Music Festival and Fisher Center productions, with the opportunity to be involved in producing other residencies and projects for the Fisher Center’s professional production timeline as assigned. The Opera Producer reports to the Fisher Center Executive Producer/COO and the Bard Music Festival Executive Director.

This is a full-time exempt position, eligible for Bard College’s group benefits package, compensated at an annual salary range of $70,000 – $75,000, depending on experience.

Possible hybrid/remote position September–May with occasional travel. In-person/onsite required for the summer festival season (June–August).

RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Development

• Repertory selection: in collaboration with the SummerScape and Bard Music Festival artistic directors and other stakeholders, coordinate the timely selection of the SummerScape opera. Conduct research, obtain perusal scores and recordings, coordinate artistic meetings, and plan research trips. Participate in long-range project planning for future seasons
• Project creative teams: coordinate the timely hiring of directors, designers, assistants, and other collaborators. Negotiate agreement terms and oversee the contracting process in collaboration with General Management
• Rights: negotiate rights and royalties. Oversee agreement process and ordering of performance materials
• Partnerships: solicit and engage co-production partners and production rentals. Pitch projects to possible co-producers and renters, negotiate co-production and rental terms, and coordinate agreements. Build and maintain current and future partner relationships and ensure industry visibility for Bard opera productions through performance invitations and other outreach

Project Management

• Casting: determine the required number of singers and chorus size according to budgetary and artistic needs and engage all vocal personnel. Audition and hire singers, negotiate agreement terms, and coordinate contracts with General Management. Engage the chorus contractor and oversee chorus auditions, contracting, and logistics. Serve as the primary liaison to the chorus contractor, chorus director, and chorus representatives. Engage other performers as needed (supernumeraries, dancers, narrators, etc.)
• Orchestra: serve as the primary liaison to orchestra management. Determine orchestra costs and facilitate orchestra logistics needs, including union rules and considerations
• Schedule: in collaboration with the Director of Production, Executive Producer/COO, and Bard Music Festival Executive Director, develop project schedules based on budgetary and artistic needs and communicate the schedule to all stakeholders. Communicate the design & production schedule and rehearsal & performance schedule in coordination with the Director of Production and other stakeholders. Ensure timely distribution of the project schedule and schedule updates. Coordinate rehearsal and meeting space. Oversee daily rehearsal schedules
• Design and production: in close coordination with the Director of Production, support the design and production process according to schedule and budgetary needs. Coordinate design presentations. Facilitate communication between directors, designers, and the Fisher Center production team. Hire stage management staff (SMs, assistants, interns). Support the Fisher Center production team in negotiations with designers and directors. Approve production designs based on artistic and budget parameters
• Company management: coordinate travel, housing, visas, and other logistic needs with General Management and SummerScape company management. Create housing plans and personnel lists with arrival and departure dates. Coordinate hospitality and on-campus dining needs. Create and distribute project contact sheets
• Producing: during project rehearsals and performances, serve as the lead on-site management representative and primary point of contact for project creative, production, and performing personnel. Support the production staff during fit-in, load-in, and tech process. Attend rehearsals, production meetings, and post-mortems
• Program materials: coordinate supertitles, synopses, program notes, and other materials required for effective public presentation. Oversee personnel selection, hiring, and contracting, and ensure timely delivery of materials
• Finance: develop and oversee project budgets and ensure adherence to budget. Negotiate budget adjustments, monitor budget vs. actuals, prepare regular financial reports, and coordinate major payables and receivables when required (e.g. co-production payments). Ensure that earned revenue goals are met through co-production/rental and ticket sale revenue. Develop and support cost control strategies
• Marketing and publicity: ensure high visibility and attendance for projects. Facilitate the flow of information and materials for marketing and communications, collaborate on drafting copy, coordinate the planning of photo/video shoots, and facilitate media access to performers and the creative team. Review and approve marketing and publicity materials as requested
• Development: support fundraising activities to ensure that contributed revenue goals are met. Participate in the creation and execution of special events,  support written grant applications and reporting copy, attend funder meetings as needed, and participate in the identification of project-specific funding opportunities and donor prospects
• Audience services: support the audience services team by providing timely information regarding running time and seating restrictions (production seat kills, sightline issues, etc.)
• Documentation: coordinate complete project documentation. Facilitate photo calls, video shoots, HD live streams, audio recordings, and written documentation (such as historical show archive/production bible). Coordinate the editing and timely delivery of full-length and trailer versions of video documentation

General

• Attend Fisher Center staff meetings, project meetings, and marketing meetings—as required
• Participate in general Fisher Center, Bard Music Festival, and SummerScape planning
• Complete other producing duties as assigned.

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

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCE

• A background in the opera industry with working knowledge and experience within opera, music, and/or theater, and existing contacts in the sector. Passion for and understanding of operatic repertoire and rehearsal processes/requirements
• Proven experience devising and producing high-quality arts projects involving world premiere performances or productions
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Ability to exercise discretion with confidential and sensitive information
• Passion for the arts and a commitment to enhancing its accessibility to a wide range of groups
• Knowledge of Google systems and their applications, including Gmail, Drive, Sheets, Docs, Calendar, etc

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrably excellent project management, administrative, and organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to interact with a wide range of personalities, and proven experience communicating effectively with a range of backgrounds and styles
• Ability to multitask and establish clear priorities when engaging with a variety of initiating parties, to remain calm under pressure, and to coalesce multiple constituents and points of view around solutions-oriented thinking when encountering creative or fiscal limitations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Familiarity with Slack is a plus

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Access to reliable transportation

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.

TO APPLY
Complete the application form here https://formfacade.com/sm/gmWw1kboH. 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 [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Bard College is an equal-opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our 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 164-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 our 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.

AA/EOE