Founded in 1920, Cincinnati Opera is one of the oldest and most highly regarded opera companies in the United States. Known for its longstanding partnership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, a roster of world-class singers, and its spectacular performance venue, Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati Opera has received numerous accolades and awards, including a recent nomination for the prestigious International Opera Award. Cincinnati Opera offers a primary season of performances from June through August (paid attendance 17,000-20,000), plus a host of events through the year, including educational programming, small-scale public performances, recitals, and fundraisers.

The following description is meant to give an overview of positions and is not a complete list of all duties and responsibilities. 

There are two positions available. Applications will close on at 11:59 PM on Sunday, February 1, 2026. All applications should include a cover letter and resume. Please be able to provide references upon request. 

The Lighting Interns will assist the Lighting Director and Associate Lighting Designer with: 

• Production notes and assignments as well as assisting in calling focus;
• Creation of follow spot sheets and follow spot instruction during rehearsal;
• Tracking and coordination of cue placements with stage management and other departments;
• Tracking of lighting & electric expenditures;
• Coordination of lighting meetings and schedules;
• Management of inventory and tracking of rented items to ensure accurate returns;
• Creation and maintenance of lighting plots and running paperwork;
• Management of lighting materials archives;
• Communication of lighting requests to crew & staff;
• Possibility of participating in seasonal intern-led event pending final season programming; 
• Other duties as assigned. 

• Experience with Vectorworks, Lightwright, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to read music is highly recommended. 

Hours & Compensation

• Interns are paid at a rate of $11 per hour and are eligible for overtime. 
• Production internship hours vary, with a minimum of 40 hours per week and occasional evening/weekend hours. 
• Internships begin in May 2026 and conclude in early August 2026. 

Physical Requirements/Work Environment 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and use hands. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may need to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
• In order to engage and represent the organization, the employee must be able to work evenings, weekends, and travel locally.
• These positions require work in an office setting. Production positions may require work in a warehouse setting and/or backstage theatrical setting.

Cincinnati Opera receives administrative support through a shared services agreement with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO). As part of the application process, you may receive communications from CSO team members.