DMMO - Employment: Technical Crew

Technical Crew

Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) is a professional summer stock opera company that is located just outside Des Moines, Iowa. DMMO produces three operas in repertory presented in a proscenium-thrust theater. The production staff is comprised of experienced designers and technicians from regional theaters, universities, and opera companies from around the United States.

DMMO combines both rentals and in-house builds for each of its shows. DMMO has a very fast and strict schedule with all technical and dress rehearsals occurring in the first five weeks. Shows run for four weekends with the addition of two weeks of weekday shows. Between the schedule and the intensity of repertory, all members of the production staff are immersed in an environment that provides valuable experience for those wishing to gain knowledge in any field of theater and opera production. In addition there will be a few seminars for interns (topics include: Rigging & Safety, Paint Techniques, Shop Safety, and Welding), a resume workshop, and a talk-back with directors and designers for the general crew.

Crew stipends vary with the responsibilities of the position and intern stipends are fixed within each department. All housing is arranged and provided by DMMO. Department Heads are provided apartment-style housing; assistants, general crew and interns are housed in single occupancy dormitory rooms with air conditioning. Some members of the production team are provided assistance with a single stipend for travel.

DMMO’s short season length creates many challenges. The season is personally and professionally demanding and physically taxing. The schedule is very rigorous and includes continuous periods of long work days and nights. Twelve hour days and six-to-seven day work weeks are the norm. Every effort will be made to provide 8-hour turnarounds.

The positions below are the only positions available for Des Moines Metro Opera’s 2012 summer season. DMMO is not accepting any designer applications for the 2012 or 2013 seasons. All positions start mid-May and go through July 18. All crew/department head positions require at least 2+ years professional experience and/or work in a BFA/MFA program; Assistant & Crew positions require professional experience and/or work in a BA/BFA/MFA program; Intern and run crew positions require no professional experience but some general academic experience in theater is required, unless noted.

Technical Director (1 Position Open) May 14 – July 20

Carpentry Department: Modification and construction of scenery. No run crew.
Assistant Technical Director (1 Position Open): May 15 to July 18
Master Carpenter (1 Position Open): May 16 to July 18
Shop Carpenter (3 Positions Open): May 21 to July 18

Stage Department: Technical and dress rehearsals, work notes, repertory changeovers, and run crew.
Head of Deck (1 Position Open): May 16 to July 18
Head of Fly (1 Position Open): May 21 to July 18
Stage Crew Intern (6 Positions Open): May 21 to July 18

Properties Department: Construct, alter, and fabricate all props. Run Crew Chief and Interns run shows and assist properties artisans in notes and repairs.
Assistant Properties Master (1 Position Open): May 22 to July 18
Properties Run Crew Chief (1 Position Open): May 22 to July 18
Properties Intern (2 Positions Open): May 22 to July 18

Wardrobe Department: Fittings and alterations for seasonal costume rental. Some costume construction. Run crew.
Wardrobe/Costume Shop Supervisor (1 Position Open): May 18 to July 18
Asst. Wardrobe Supervisor (1 Position Open): TBD
Costume Shop Crew/Run Crew (1 Position Open): May 22 to July 18

Electrics Department: Hang, circuit and focus the season plot; perform daily changeovers; run special effects during productions; assist with the set up of audio/visual equipment.
Stage Electrician (1 Position Open): May 22 to July 18

Stage Management Department: 3.5 weeks of rehearsal, technical rehearsals, running shows.
Assistant Stage Manager (1 Position Open): May 22 to July 18
Stage Management Intern (2 Positions Open): May 22 to July 18 - Some specific academic experience in the field of stage management required.

Hair & Makeup Department: Daily maintenance and setting of wigs, pre-performance application of wigs and makeup; and assist with chorus quick changes
Hair & Makeup Crew (1 Position Open): May 28 to July 18

Paint Department: Painting of all in-house scenery and notes calls. No run crew.
Assistant Paint Charge (1 Position Open) May 21 – July 20
Scenic Painting Intern (1 Position Open) May 21 – July 20

By March 31, 2012, please submit the following (Only applicants that submit each of the following will be considered):
Cover Letter
Resume—please include:
Current and Permanent Address
Phone Numbers
Email Address
Educational, Work, and Internship Experiences
Three References—please indicate your relationship and provide contact information for each reference.

Send Applications To:
Des Moines Metro Opera
ATTN: Christopher Brusberg
106 West Boston Ave.
Indianola, IA 50125

Or send a PDF copy of each with "Des Moines Metro Opera 2012 Tech Application" in the subject to: cbrusberg@dmmo.org.

Early response is recommended. Selection notifications for interviews will begin late January.