The Apprentice program for Theatre Technicians, established in 1965, is an intermediate to advanced training program. The program offers instruction and practical experience in the stage operations, properties, audio/video, costumes, production/music services, make-up and wig construction, stage lighting and scenic art.

Apprentices receive an hourly wage with overtime and assistance with long distance travel to and from Santa Fe. Apprentice Housing is located in Opera owned housing. Housing deductions are based on a percentage that is deducted from your base pay.

Director and Designer presentations, resume reviews, master classes, specialty workshops and portfolio reviews by our professional staff and guest designers are offered throughout the season. After all the season’s repertory productions have opened, apprentices participate in the production of fully staged opera scenes presented in two evening concerts by the apprentice artists. We also host a Portfolio Review Fair in which seasonal employees can share their work with fellow employees, designers and invited guests. This presentation will be scheduled for mid-season. Please bring your prepared portfolio, for there is limited time to work on it once you arrive.

The production of The Santa Fe Opera season is rigorous, personally and professionally demanding and physically taxing. The schedule includes many continuous periods of long work days and nights. Twelve-hour-plus days, and six to seven-day work weeks can be the norm. Technical rehearsals must begin after sunset, and end well in the post-midnight hours.

The Santa Fe Opera summer season consists of five operas in rotating repertory. The 2008 season will consist of Falstaff, The Marriage of Figaro, Radamisto, Billy Budd, and the American premiere of Adriana Mater.

For more information on the 2008 season Technical Apprentice program click here. To download an application click here.