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Assistant Lighting Designer

Arizona Opera seeks to add to our team the position of an Assistant Lighting Designer for the Opera Season. This position will be assistant the lighting designer for the mainstage production of La Bohème and remounting the production in Tucson, without the lighting designer present – so previous experience with remounts is very helpful! This position will also have the opportunity to fully design some additional programs below and would receive credit as lighting designer for the projects.

Arizona Opera is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal access and opportunity to anyone who qualifies, regardless of sex, race, age, color, religion, mental or physical disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, and/or military status. Arizona Opera is committed to racial equity and to dismantling historic barriers of oppression.

If you are concerned that you don’t meet every requirement listed below, we encourage you to still apply. You may have the skills and experience that compliment others in the department, and you might be the perfect addition to our team. We are open to adjustments to best fit people that are interested in being a part of the Opera.

Arizona Opera is one of the few opera companies in the United States that performs in more than one city and venue. Rehearsals, tech and the opening performance take place in Phoenix. Following the Phoenix performances, the production travels to Tucson, Arizona where it receives its closing performance.

This position is responsible for supporting projects in the lighting department as directed by the Director of Production and Lighting Designer. Support includes drafting and editing of light plots, developing schedules, hang charts, hook-up, focus charts, follow spot cue sheets, moving light tracking and all additional necessary information required to assist the lighting designer and to transfer the show to Tucson. This role will work closely with the staff Lighting, Video, and Effects Supervisor, as well as the Production Electrician, Assistant Production Electrician / Lighting Programmer. This position will attend all onstage rehearsals and performances as well as travel to Tucson to re-mount the production (this is done without the originating lighting designer in-person). This position may be asked to call follow spot cues or assist in giving direction to the follow spots in collaboration with the Stage Manager.

 

Engagement and expected schedule:

Flexible working schedule for prep / non-tech times.

 

La Bohème: as the assistant lighting designer, Phoenix Symphony Hall and The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall

  • Remote work available:
    • Prep in late-December / early-January as needed by the Lighting Designer
    • Rehearsals; December 30 – January 12, 2025
  • In-Person:
    • Phoenix: Set-up / technical rehearsals / performances / load-out: January 12 – January 26, 2025
    • Tucson: Set-up (remount) / performance / load-out: January 27 – February 2, 2025.

 

Studio Cabaret: as the designer, The Roma and Raymond Wittcoff Black Box Theater, Temple of Music & Art:

  • Working with the standard Wittcoff Black Box Lighting Plot and some minor additions.
  • Mix of remote and in-person available:
    • Rehearsals, tech work: February 3-8, 2025
  • In-Person
    • Phoenix tech work / rehearsals / performance: February 9-15, 2025
    • Tucson performance: February 16, 2025

 

Opera Gala: as the designer, Wittcoff Black Box Theater (only in Phoenix)

  • Tech work: March 3 – March 7, 2025
  • Gala: March 8, 2025

 

Aida: as the designer (no ALD is provided), Phoenix Symphony Hall and The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall.

  • Phoenix: Load-in / technical rehearsals / performances / load-out: April 5 – April 13, 2025
  • Tucson: Load-in / performance / load-out: April 14 – April 19, 2025.
  • The designer is expected to work within the rep lighting plot for both venues. Adjustments to the rep plot outside of focus and hanging additional moving lights is not expected.

 

The ideal candidate should see themselves as a team player who is flexible, accommodating, calm, a self-starter, detail-oriented and with high standards for our productions. The ideal candidate will be very active in helping the department(s) achieve operational efficiency when onstage and offstage in planning.

 

Type of Engagement:

This position is adaptable for the successful applicant to be compensated as an independent contractor (1099) or as a part-time seasonal staff position (w2) employee.

 

Compensation:

Based on the type of employment.

  • As a w2 you could choose from:
    • A weekly salary of $800
      • Number of weeks for all projects: 10 weeks (8,000)
    • Hourly at $21/hour (plus overtime at 1.5x after 40 regular hours a week)
  • As an independent contractor by project:
    • La Bohème: $4,000
    • Studio Cabaret: $1,000
    • Opera Gala: $1,000
    • Aida: $3,000
  • We welcome proposals for other configurations of compensation.

 

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

  • Our company has offices in Midtown Phoenix and a Scenic Studio in West Phoenix.
  • We have multiple venues including our own performance/rehearsal space located in the same building as the office.
  • We primarily use computers running the Microsoft Suite.
  • Communicating by telephone, video (Zoom), email and in person.
  • The applicant may use their own computer or be provided with a company laptop.

 

Reports To: 
Director of Production
Job Category: 
Production

Qualifications

  • Completion of a Theatre Design Program would be ideal – but, certainly relevant experience is considered!
  • Proficiency in operating the Microsoft Suite, including Word and Excel is required.
  • Experience with SharePoint is beneficial.
  • A higher-level competency with computer systems is beneficial and a willingness to learn new things!
  • Previous experience at an Opera or large performing arts company would be amazing but not a requirement.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multitask and work under pressure.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
  • Detail-oriented and meticulous in maintaining accurate paperwork.
  • Ability to understand instructions that are written and spoken.
  • Ability to give instructions both written and spoken and the ability to ensure instructions given are understood.
  • Experience with Lighting systems including automated fixtures, ETC EOS family of consoles, dimming and power distribution.
  • Understanding of lighting design principals.
  • Experience with drafting programs, VectorWorks.
  • Experience with LightWright.

 

Accommodations & Travel:

  • Depending on the applicant, housing in Phoenix may be provided upon request.
  • Depending on the applicant, travel assistant to Phoenix for the beginning and end of the agreement may be provided.
  • Employees will receive a travel allowance from Phoenix to Tucson.
  • Employees will receive a per-diem allowance when in Tucson.
  • Employees will receive accommodation when in Tucson, or when away from Phoenix overnight.
  • Parking is provided at all locations.

 

To Apply:

Applicants for this position should email a cover letter, resume and include three professional references.

Send to ATTN: Assistant Lighting Designer at production@azopera.org.

For more details on this posting please email crodney@azopera.org.

 

This position will close once the right candidate is found. Please apply early.

Interviews will be conducted on an on-going basis.