Seeking Non-Union Director and Music Director for University Light Opera Spring Production of Patience - Penn Singers Light Opera Company

Penn Singers Light Opera Company, the University of Pennsylvania’s premier student-run musical theatre company, is seeking a non-union Director and Music Director for its Spring 2022 production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience. Penn Singers is passionate about bringing opera into the contemporary world, and this calls for editing the script for problematic content and reinterpreting the text to align with modern values. That said, we are open to any and all visions this show may inspire! Both rehearsals and performances will be held in-person on the University of Pennsylvania campus. Current University COVID-19 protocol mandates that directors get free weekly COVID tests and wear masks indoors.

Because the COVID-19 situation is ever-changing, we recommend that applicants check University Campus Compact (https://coronavirus.upenn.edu/content/student-campus-compact) for up-to-date information on the nature of the Spring semester and COVID-19 safety guidelines. Our ideal Director candidate is immensely flexible and prepared for a dynamic, collaborative environment. These qualities are especially important as our Director will be working closely with student actors, musicians, crew, and designers throughout the creative process. We are looking for a director with a clear vision, who is passionate about ensemble work. Our ideal Music Director candidate works well with differing levels of musicianship and is highly skilled at piano.

Experience working with college-aged performers is a plus. Our mission statement is the following: Penn Singers Light Opera Company is a four-year musical theatre company based at the University of Pennsylvania that values inclusivity of all genders, races, sexual orientations, and identities. We are a community of performers, musicians, and theatre technicians that is committed to producing professional-level musical theatre in a fun, welcoming, and social environment. Singers is committed to anti-racist practices and we believe the directors are an integral part of this effort. We expect directors to perform their duties, from auditions to casting to rehearsals, with a goal of achieving a safe and equitable environment for all company members, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, ability, or identity. Director and Music Director contracts begin on the first day of auditions (Tuesday, January 18th) and will be completed upon our closing performance (Saturday, April 2nd). Salary for each position is a flat stipend of $2500. Housing and transportation are not provided. If you are located outside of Philadelphia, you are responsible for bearing any costs related to accommodations, travel, etc. Rehearsals will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-6:30PM and on Sundays from 10:30AM-3:30PM. To apply: All applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to pennsingers@gmail.com. Director applicants should additionally send a proposal for Patience, which includes how your vision will shine a new light on the light opera. All applications are due by 1/4 at 8 PM.

Selected candidates will be invited for interviews the week of January 2nd. For more information regarding our company, its members, and previous shows, visit our website at https://www.pennsingers.com.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Blake Velick, President and Producer, at pennsingers@gmail.com!

Note: Because of University policy, applicants must be United States citizens or have a work permit.