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.
