ASSISTANT DIRECTOR INTERNSHIP
Seasonal Internship: Internships are offered for all sessions listed below.
Session 1: June 11 - July 8, 2024
The Magic Flute | W.A. Mozart
Session 2: June 18 - July 15, 2024
Dead Man Walking | Jake Heggie
Session 3: June 25 - July 22, 2024
Die Walkure | Richard Wagner
Immersive Symphony
High School Program: June 10 - July 29, 2024
Department: Productions
Office: Temple Emanu-El, Miami Beach, FL
Miami Music Festival is seeking multiple Assistant Director (AD) interns for its opera department during the summer festival season running June 10 - July 29, 2024. All main stage operas are full productions complete with a professional team of stage directors, designers, costumers, and an orchestra.
The Assistant Director (AD) internship is an opportunity to learn firsthand an individual director's process and the production process as a whole. The responsibilities and daily duties of the AD are quite flexible and will vary from production to production and Director to Director. The AD's responsibilities may include facilitating the rehearsal process, taking notes, and facilitating the smooth running of the entire production process, and/or other duties as assigned. Sometimes, a Director will expect the AD to perform duties normally assigned to the Stage Manager and vice versa. It is important that ADs work closely with the Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Managers. Specific duties and tasks should be decided based on the abilities of the assistant and the needs of the show and cast.
Communication and negotiation are important in clarifying the assignment of these duties. Typically, the AD will act as another set of eyes and ears and as a sounding board for the Director at rehearsals and performances. Therefore, it is essential to note that the AD position is one of trust and confidentiality--the Director may share thoughts or concerns that should not be common knowledge.
When asked, the AD will sometimes offer constructive suggestions to the Director regarding any elements of the production, from design to performances. You may be asked to speak or run rehearsals for the director in their absence or run specific sections of the production with a section of the cast while they run separate rehearsals with the other selection of the cast. The AD should keep in mind their status is of a student/intern within the festival and that they are to be an assistant to the Director. They may relay messages from the Director to other staff on the production team when asked only.
Expectations
Read and study the opera; discuss the interpretation and production concept with the Director.
Attend all production meetings and rehearsals
Assist the Director as needed. Sit in on all rehearsals, taking notes and actively watching and listening. Communicate regularly with the Director regarding the progress of the production.
Run special rehearsals such as line-throughs, speed-throughs, etc. if the Director requests it.
The AD may be asked to walk through scenes for an absent actor.
Some Directors may ask the Assistant Director to take blocking, line, and/or dialect notes. The Assistant Director should always be prepared for such duties.
Ensure that appropriate people and/or organizations are thanked in the program for their contributions to the production.
Makes notes for the Director as instructed during rehearsals and tech. Share these notes with the Director and or Stage manager who may communicate them to the cast and/or crew.
The Assistant Director may be asked to type up any rehearsal notes taken by the Director for the stage manager who will then distribute them to cast and/or crew.
REQUIREMENTS:
1-2 years directing/assistant directing experience
Degree in vocal performance, theater or technical theater highly encouraged
Basic knowledge of production equipment including light board operation, stage manager's console, fly rail, technical theater, etc.
Basic knowledge of theater safety procedures
Ability to organize and adhere to complex schedules
Professional communication ability
Ability and willingness to work long hours, week-nights and weekends
Ability to follow a piano-vocal score
Ability to organize and plan along with artistic/technical staff to generate quality staged works on a short timeline
Must be able to handle organizational and communication aspects of the position in a positive, professional, and timely manner. Above all, must have a positive attitude and be a team player.
Compensation:
PAID INTERNSHIP – MMF offers a $250 per week stipend on top of fulfilling college credit requirements from most major universities.
Application Procedure:
To apply for this position please fill out the online application by using the “Apply” button located at the bottom of this page. Cover Letter and Resume are required to be considered for this position. Please be sure to attach them to your online application form. PDF format is preferred.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024