Stage Manager and Stage Director Fellowship (Two Positions)

The Metropolitan Opera is eager to foster an inclusive workforce in the world of grand opera. These fellowship positions are geared towards people who are traditionally underserved in the behind the scenes work of opera. This is an early career/post undergrad training program for people who are interested in working professionally in opera.  It is structured much like an apprenticeship where the fellow will be applying for future work as part of the program. The sixth year of the Fellowship Program will once again have two positions: Stage Manager Fellow and Stage Director Fellow. Each fellow will participate in the production of repertory opera at the highest level under the supervision of proven professionals.  The fellow will be prepared to make a significant commitment to the program. These fellowships will begin at the earliest, August 10, 2026 and last up to 33 weeks. The exact schedule is flexible based on production schedules and that of the fellow. This is a full-time paid opportunity with benefits.  With this Fellowship, you will have the chance to:  ·Hone necessary skills by being present for the challenging process of stage managing/stage directing both new and repertory productions.  ·Practice problem solving through observation of:   o    leaders in the field of opera stage managing and directing working through the production process.  o    production meetings.  o    multiple departments interacting in the course of the production.  · Cultivate a personal workflow to learn and prepare an opera production including:  o    Creating important paperwork and working scores.    o    Communicating changes and updates throughout the Met.   o    Learning the intricacies of all facets of scheduling including:  §  the intersection of multiple Union contracts.  §  the needs of the artists.   §  the challenges of repertory opera including space, time and personnel constraints.  Primary ResponsibilitiesEach fellow will have the opportunity to spend a portion of the season observing colleagues in the alternate department, allowing for exposure to a broad selection of Stage Managers and Directors.  Each fellow will be required to keep a regular written log of their experiences and their own responses to circumstances and review it with their supervisor in regular meetings.  Each fellow will be encouraged to contribute their perspective of their day to day experiences. Skills and QualificationsAn established curiosity and enthusiasm for pursuing a career in opera.   Basic music reading skills are necessary: o Must be able to follow a piano/vocal score while hearing the music. o It is not necessary to be able to play an instrument or sing. Must be able to work a variable schedule, including nights, weekends, with some weeks of work with hours up to 60 per week. Regular attendance and timeliness are essential to the success of this fellowship. Proficiency with basic computer programs. Physical DemandsRegularly required to stand, sit, walk, climb stairs, talk, and hear. Frequently required to navigate in unfamiliar and constantly changing terrain, at times in low light situations.  Occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds.  **Materials should be submitted by February 8, 2026.**The fellowships are made possible through the support of C. Graham Berwind III.The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.