Production Manager
A Production Manager in the opera industry is the person who oversees all the practical and technical aspects of putting on an opera performance. They work like a project manager, coordinating between different departments such as stage crew, lighting, costumes, and sets. They handle schedules, budgets, and make sure everything runs smoothly from rehearsals to the final performance. Think of them as the behind-the-scenes coordinator who ensures all the pieces come together at the right time, in the right place, within budget.
Examples in Resumes
Served as Production Manager for 12 major opera productions, managing budgets exceeding $500,000
Led team of 50 technical staff as Production Manager for Wagner's Ring Cycle
Opera Production Manager for seasonal repertory including 6 main stage productions
Theatre Production Manager coordinating multiple departments for international opera festival
Typical job title: "Production Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Production Managers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle a situation where you're significantly over budget halfway through a production?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with budget reallocation, negotiation skills, creative problem-solving, and ability to make difficult decisions while maintaining artistic integrity. Should mention specific examples of past budget challenges and solutions.
Q: How do you manage multiple productions running simultaneously?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate strong organizational skills, experience with resource allocation, team management, and ability to prioritize. Should discuss specific systems and tools they use to keep multiple projects on track.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you coordinate between different departments during a production?
Expected Answer: Should explain their communication methods, meeting structures, and how they ensure all departments (costumes, lighting, sets, etc.) work together effectively. Should mention experience with conflict resolution.
Q: Describe your experience with production scheduling and deadline management.
Expected Answer: Should discuss their method for creating and maintaining production schedules, how they handle delays, and experience with coordinating multiple deadlines across departments.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's your approach to maintaining production documentation?
Expected Answer: Should show understanding of basic production paperwork, scheduling documents, budget tracking, and communication protocols. Should mention familiarity with common software tools.
Q: How do you handle last-minute technical problems during a performance?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic problem-solving abilities, knowledge of chain of command, and understanding of standard theater emergency procedures and backup plans.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of technical theater operations
- Schedule creation and maintenance
- Basic budget tracking
- Team coordination
Mid (2-5 years)
- Production budget management
- Department coordination
- Risk assessment and management
- Technical problem-solving
Senior (5+ years)
- Multiple production management
- Strategic planning and budgeting
- Staff hiring and training
- Crisis management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with production budgets or financial management
- Poor communication skills or inability to work with diverse teams
- Lack of technical theater knowledge
- No experience with production scheduling or timeline management
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