Internships
General Internship Information
Chicago Opera Theater, a mid-sized professional non-profit with a 34 year history, offers a variety of flexible internship opportunities that can be tailored to the individual student. Students are encouraged to specialize or get a variety of experiences under the direction of COT’s veteran staff.
Chicago Opera Theater has no specific stipend arrangement for interns and internships are generally unpaid, though some paid apprenticeships and part-time work are available. COT is located in the heart of the downtown theater district, and there are many good opportunities for employment and housing in Chicago. Internships are available during all seasons.
Please apply by email as indicated below for the specific internship in which you have an interest.
Or by mail to 70 E. Lake Street, #815, Chicago, IL 60601
No Phone Calls Please!
Summer Internships
Education Intern
Chicago Opera Theater is currently interviewing interns interested in education in the arts. Opera for All, COT’s education program for elementary and high school students, focuses on demystifying opera for kids through in-depth, participation based programs. COT brings opera to the schools, infuses it into student’s everyday lives, and gives them a chance to experience it first hand as both an audience member and as a performer. COT’s adult program, Opera Insights, offers lectures, demonstrations and opera focus events throughout the city. This year’s special festival – A Flowering Tree: India Blooms in Chicago – is part of our Midwest premier of John Adam’s newest opera A Flowering Tree. COT will explore the story and culture highlighted in the folktale, A Flowering Tree, from South India.
The education intern will do project based work and support the day-to-day operations of the Education Department obtaining crucial arts administration experience while assisting in the execution of education programs for students and adults.
Duties include: authoring online education materials, proposing and creating new education initiatives and programs, marketing student performances, coordinating guest artists in classrooms, assisting with special education events, coordinating program assessments and evaluations, assisting with payroll tracking, supporting teaching artists’ needs and ad-hoc projects as assigned. S/he will report directly to the Director of Education and Outreach.
Skills Requirements: Candidates must be self-starters with the ability to multi-task. Knowledge of Microsoft office applications strongly desired.
Hours are flexible – about 12-15 hours per week. This is an unpaid position, however, course credit is available. Commitment through June 8, 2008, but this may be negotiated.
To Apply: Please contact Kara Kane, Director of Education & Outreach, with cover letter and resume via kkane@chicagooperatheater.org or fax 312.704.8421.
Development Intern
Chicago Opera Theater is currently seeking two dedicated students or recent college graduates interested in fundraising for the arts. The development interns will support the day-to-day operations of the Development Department and obtain crucial arts administration experience in fundraising and research methods by working closely with the COT Development team.
Duties include assisting with maintenance of donor database and correspondence, special event planning, researching potential public and private funding, and other general office duties as assigned. Interns will report to the Development Assistant.
Ideal candidates will have a strong attention to detail, be able to prioritize tasks, and work independently to complete projects as assigned. Knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint a must. Experience with donor management software a plus. Interest in arts management and/or development in the non-profit sector is preferred. Hours flexible, with minimum of 2 days or 14 hours/week. Commitment from January through May is preferred, but this may be negotiated.
***This is an unpaid position. Course credit available.***
Please contact Erin Feeney with letter of interest and resume at efeeney@chicagooperatheater.org.
Box Office/General Administration Intern
Chicago Opera Theater is seeking a part-time, 15-20 hours per week, box office and general administration intern. Duration is flexible, start as soon as possible. This is a great opportunity to gain arts management and administration experience while working with an internationally recognized production company.
Duties may include but are not limited to: general office duties such as filing, answering phones, ordering supplies, box office duties may include subscription order processing, renewal reminder calls, mailings, processing and organizing donation requests and group sales research. Other opportunities may arise that would involve assisting the development, artistic, accounting, marketing, and education departments. Some experience with Tessitura would be helpful but is not required and we will train the right candidate.
This internship is unpaid but college credit may be available.
Please send a cover letter and resume to: khansen@chicagooperatheater.org
Fall Internships
Marketing/PR Intern
Chicago Opera Theater is seeking two Marketing and Box Office Interns to start in September for 15-20 hours a week. Candidates must be enthusiastic multi-taskers and self-starters. Interest in arts management and/or marketing in the arts is essential.
Duties will include assisting Marketing and PR Director with current subscription and single ticket campaign, as well as public relations and special events. Projects will include web initiatives (including MySpace and YouTube) and grassroots marketing. Duties also include assisting the Ticket Services Manager and general administrative work. Applicant must have excellent knowledge of Word and Excel.
This is an unpaid position; however, course credit is available. Hours are flexible.
Please contact Colleen Flanigan, Director of Marketing and Public Relations with letter of interest and resume at cflanigan@chicagooperatheater.org or by fax at 312.704.8421.
