DMMO is one of America+rsquo;s boldest Opera Companies (as reported by the New York Times) and was nominated for its 2024 season for an International Opera Award. Join our team in this a critical role to work on some of the most challenging, bold, intense, visually stunning, complex and rewarding productions of your career!

DMMO utilizes 3 ASM positions represented under our CBA AGMA. The ASMs will rotate through the three productions and will be assigned and scheduled to productions by the PSM. The applicants should be experienced in opera stage management and ideally should have repertory experience; although, having this repertory experience will not be our major deciding factor so long as applicants understand that the working schedule during onstage rehearsals / tech time can be intense.

This is a position requiring impeccable decision-making abilities, strong ethics, and a personality that inspires this trust, calmness, professionalism and confidence from others. ASMs are trusted with sensitive personal information and interact across nearly all production departments, artists, and staff at DMMO. The right candidate will understand that in our festival setting the workplace extends not only from theater and rehearsal room but also to anywhere else a member of the DMMO company may be and should always behave in an appropriate manner when in the presence of others.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, DMMO celebrates diversity and inclusion. We will not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, political affiliation or philosophy. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and if you feel that you would be a great fit for DMMO but don+rsquo;t meet every expectation listed below, we would still encourage you to apply +ndash; you may just have the right skills to fit with our team!
Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
+bull; Assist the Production Stage Manager and Stage Managers in the preparation and running of all rehearsals and productions you are assigned to at the festival (This includes all rehearsals and sitzproba).
+bull; Create paperwork and communicate the needs of the rehearsal room and stage to the technical staff.
+bull; Attends production meetings if required.
+bull; Calling artists entrances and pertinent technical movements from a score.
+bull; To problem-solve and communicate to artists, crew and management.
+bull; If needed, temporarily run the rehearsal room if the Stage Manager is absent.
+bull; Attends onstage lighting sessions when not in conflict with another rehearsal.
+bull; Other duties and responsibilities normally associated with being an assistant stage manager and as assigned by the Production Stage Manager an/or the Director of Production.
+bull; To comply and participate in any and all safe workplaces policies and procedures. To help identify potential issues and bring them to the attention of management. We also encourage all employees to follow up to confirm that management is taking appropriate actions.


Compensation:
As per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (currently in negotiations).
Compensation includes a base wage paid weekly as well as additional pay for overtime, span of day and meal breaks.
Weekly base will be not less than $875/week (this is the current last rate of the expired agreement with an expectation to increase based upon the on-going negotiations. We will post the final rate once the CBA has been ratified)
A travel stipend or round-trip airfare. (exact travel stipend is in negotiations)
Housing is provided (exact housing requirements are currently in negotiations)
Additional benefits provided as per the AGMA/DMMO CBA.

Qualifications and Skills:
Any Combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
+bull; 3+ years of experience working in stage management.
+bull; Ability to call cues from a score. Music reading ability is a requirement.
+bull; BA/BFA in Theatre or equivalent professional experience.
+bull; Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
+bull; Proven leadership skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
+bull; Ability to sit, stand, and safety traverse a working stage/shop environment. Work includes periods of standing, working in low light, climbing stairs/ladders, and may include moving quickly from location-to-location backstage during a performance.
+bull; The ability to wear a headset/ beltpack on their person.
+bull; Ability and willingness to wear PPE as required by and instructed by DMMO. This may include but is not limited to; wearing hard-hats, safety hi-visibility clothing (vests), eye protection, hearing protection and specialty clothing when needed.

Application Process:
Submit resume with three references and a cover letter via email with the subject line +ldquo;OperaASM+rdquo;
Applicants may have their materials shared with members of the existing stage management team prior to any interviews being scheduled.
Unsuccessful applicant+rsquo;s materials will be deleted / removed from DMMO systems.
The successful applicant will have materials retained as part of the HR records and with document retention policies of the company.

Visit https://desmoinesmetroopera.org/employment/ for the complete posting

Deadline:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicant screening process to begin immediately.
References may be contacted any time after the application is received.