Opera House
An Opera House is a specialized performance venue designed specifically for opera productions and other classical music performances. It's like a theater, but with unique features such as exceptional acoustics, an orchestra pit, and extensive backstage facilities. When this term appears on resumes, it usually indicates experience working in or with major performing arts venues. These venues are more complex than regular theaters because they handle large-scale productions involving singers, musicians, complex stage equipment, and sometimes hundreds of staff members. People who work at opera houses might be involved in anything from stage production to administration to artistic direction.
Examples in Resumes
Managed backstage operations at Opera House for season of 12 productions
Coordinated front-of-house staff at Opera House during peak performance periods
Led costume department at Opera House for major productions
Supervised technical crew at Opera House and Theatre venues
Typical job title: "Opera House Staff"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Opera House Staff
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Industry Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a major production crisis, such as a lead performer becoming ill just before curtain time?
Expected Answer: A senior professional should discuss emergency procedures, understudies, communication protocols, and decision-making processes that minimize impact on the performance and audience experience.
Q: Describe your experience with annual budget planning for a major performance venue.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of both artistic and operational budgeting, including revenue streams, cost management, and balancing artistic vision with financial constraints.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you coordinate between different departments during a production?
Expected Answer: Should explain experience with managing relationships between costume, lighting, sound, stage management, and artistic teams, including communication methods and problem-solving approaches.
Q: What systems do you use to manage front-of-house operations?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with ticketing systems, audience management, staff scheduling, and handling special patron requirements.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What understanding do you have of basic stage terminology and equipment?
Expected Answer: Should show familiarity with common terms like stage left/right, fly system, orchestra pit, and basic safety protocols.
Q: How would you handle a customer complaint during a performance?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of customer service principles, venue policies, and appropriate ways to handle common audience issues quietly and efficiently.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of performance venue operations
- Customer service experience
- Knowledge of general theater safety rules
- Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends
Mid (2-5 years)
- Production coordination experience
- Staff supervision and scheduling
- Budget management
- Event planning and execution
Senior (5+ years)
- Large-scale production management
- Strategic planning and budgeting
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Crisis management and problem-solving
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with live performance venues
- Inability to work evenings and weekends
- No understanding of performance production processes
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of crisis management experience
Related Terms
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