Spring Internship (January – May 2019)- Intern will receive a weekly $30 travel stipend.  

Lyric Unlimited, a division of Lyric Opera of Chicago, offers an array of innovative education, community engagement and artistic programs, encompassing company activities beyond Lyric's mainstage. Established in 2012, Lyric Unlimited aims to:

• Deepen and broaden relationships throughout the city through collaborative programs such as EmpowerYouth!, Caminos a la ópera, and Chicago Voices
• Introduce and grow adult audiences for opera
• Create access to opera for teachers and students through Elementary and High School Residencies, Opera in the Neighborhoods, Backstage Tours and Performances for Students
• Welcome families to opera through performances and special events
• Support Youth development through opera education in programs such as Youth Opera Council and Vocal Partnership Program
• Commission and present new, small scale operatic works, including this season's An American Dream.

More than 100,000 people experience Lyric Unlimited programming each season. 

EmpowerYouth!: Igniting Creativity through the Arts is a groundbreaking partnership between the Lyric Opera and the Chicago Urban League that immerses high school students in an exploration of storytelling, acting, dance and singing leading to a culminating performance. 

Drawn primarily from Chicago’s South and West side communities, students meet weekly after school to collaborate with professional artists, including composer/songwriter Paris Ray Dozier, librettist/scriptwriter Derek McPhatter, acting coach  and director Tony Santiago, movement coach and choreographer Tanji Harper, MC Add-2, and music supervisor Kedrick Armstrong on the creation of an original performance that tells their stories as young people in Chicago. 

Responsibilities:

Lyric Unlimited is seeking an intern to assist with the documentation, coordination, and reporting of the EmpowerYouth! program. This intern will specifically be responsible for: 

• Attending weekly EmpowerYouth! meetings, held at the Chicago Urban League office and offering on-site support to facilitators and teaching artists as requested.
• Assisting with production of artistic elements associated with the EmpowerYouth! project: 
• Working with the EmpowerYouth! artistic team to accurately track changes to the storyline/script
• Documenting and reporting developments and adjustments to music and any other relevant elements leading towards the final performance.
  • Facilitating requests for supplies, transportation, ticket purchases, and other program needs.
  • Assisting with administrative duties associated with the EmpowerYouth! program, including reporting on the status of ongoing projects, participating in team meetings, and procuring items necessary for the project. 
  • Maintain communication between Lyric staff and EmpowerYouth! project staff
  • Additional assignments, some of which may relate to other Lyric Unlimited programs, as needed.

Schedule: 

Candidates for this position will be expected to work at least 10hr/week, including the following commitments: 

• Weekly EmpowerYouth! sessions: Wednesdays, 5 pm – 9 pm (December – May) at the Chicago Urban League Headquarters (4510 S. Michigan Ave.) -- including assistance with preparation and set-up from 5 to 5:30, and participation in team debriefs from 8:30 to 9.m.
• Weekly Administrative Team Meetings: Fridays at 12pm (Remote)
• At least 4 hours of in-office time at the Lyric Opera (20 N. Wacker)
• Rehearsal dates and final performance (May 15- 18, tentative)

Qualifications:

• Interest in working with high school aged youth
• Background in theater, scriptwriting, acting, or other dramatic areas
• Ability to complete 10hr/week, including attending weekly EmpowerYouth! meetings
• Excellent written communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Experience with managing projects and/or teams
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams
• Reliable transportation/ability to get to required locations
• Current enrollment in a Master’s degree program in arts management or in an arts discipline, highly desirable

To Apply: Interested applicants should send their resume and cover letter to internships@lyricopera.org denoting position of interest.