Per Diem
Per Diem refers to a type of temporary or day-by-day work arrangement common in the performing arts, especially in ballet and theater productions. The term literally means "per day" in Latin and indicates that workers are paid a daily rate. This arrangement is often used for dancers, stage crew, or production staff who are brought in for specific performances, tours, or projects rather than being full-time employees. It's similar to freelance or temporary work, but specifically organized on a daily basis.
Examples in Resumes
Performed as Per Diem dancer in The Nutcracker seasonal production
Managed Per Diem stage crew assignments for national tour
Coordinated schedules and payments for Per Diem production staff
Typical job title: "Per Diem Performers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Per Diem Performers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Networking Resources
Example Interview Questions
Experienced Level Questions
Q: How do you manage a team of per diem workers while maintaining production quality?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in scheduling, training temporary staff quickly, and maintaining consistent performance standards across different daily crews.
Q: What systems have you developed for tracking and managing per diem payments and schedules?
Expected Answer: Candidate should describe experience with organizing daily contracts, payment processing, and scheduling systems that ensure smooth operation with temporary staff.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure quick integration into an existing production as a per diem performer?
Expected Answer: Should discuss preparation methods, ability to learn choreography quickly, and experience adapting to different company styles and requirements.
Q: Describe your experience with different types of per diem contracts and payment structures.
Expected Answer: Should show understanding of standard daily rates, overtime, rehearsal payments, and common contract terms in the industry.
Entry Level Questions
Q: What is your availability for per diem work and how flexible is your schedule?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of the need for flexibility and ability to commit to scheduled performance dates.
Q: How do you prepare for a one-day performance opportunity?
Expected Answer: Should show basic understanding of professional preparation, including reviewing materials ahead of time and being ready to learn quickly.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic performance or technical skills
- Ability to follow direction quickly
- Professional time management
- Basic understanding of production processes
Mid (2-5 years)
- Quick adaptation to new environments
- Strong technical proficiency
- Experience with various production styles
- Good communication with diverse teams
Senior (5+ years)
- Leadership in temporary team settings
- Advanced technical expertise
- Emergency problem-solving abilities
- Budget and schedule management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unreliable attendance history
- Inability to provide clear availability schedules
- Poor references from previous temporary engagements
- Lack of flexibility with scheduling
- No experience working in fast-paced, changing environments
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