Artistic Director

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Artistic Director

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis invites nominations and applications for the position of Artistic Director. An international search for Opera Theatre’s next Artistic Director is underway, following the recent appointment of James Robinson, who served with distinction as OTSL’s Artistic Director since 2009, to the role of General and Artistic Director of Seattle Opera.

Celebrating a landmark 50th Festival Season in 2025, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) is broadly recognized and highly acclaimed for its local impact, national presence, and global resonance.

OTSL’s mission is to shape a vibrant future for opera by connecting, inspiring, and entertaining our communities through the power and beauty of the art form; to foster the next generation by empowering a diverse group of artists, artisans, and administrators at the highest level; and to make opera accessible and inclusive through innovative and collaborative storytelling.

The next Artistic Director of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis will have the opportunity to collaborate with the General Director and OTSL’s executive leadership team to advance the company’s strategic plan and artistic vision; to deepen and broaden the demographics of audience members and supporters; and to continue the work of identifying, nurturing, and empowering talented artists, artisans, and administrators.

The Position

Reporting to the General Director and working in collaboration with Opera Theatre’s executive leadership team, the Artistic Director takes a principal role in shaping the long-term artistic direction of the company. The Artistic Director fosters a safe and nurturing environment that allows all artists to develop their full potential and to do their best work.

The Artistic Director works closely with the Artistic Leadership Team and oversees the development of the company’s artistic profile. The Artistic Director leads repertory planning for the Festival Season and plays an active role in all production matters.

The Artistic Director may be a working artist, with additional professional commitments beyond working with Opera Theatre. While St. Louis need not be the Artistic Director’s primary place of residence, they are expected to be an active and visible member of the St. Louis community throughout the year.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a creative and energetic artistic leader who enjoys an outstanding reputation in the opera field. The candidate will be fully committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will work to advance the company’s EDI plan. The successful candidate will have excellent leadership and management skills and the vision to elevate OTSL’s profile as a leader in opera.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. As an employee of OTSL, the Artistic Director will also be eligible for a robust benefits package.

Applications

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis values equity, diversity, and mutual respect. OTSL strongly encourages people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people with disabilities, and others who have been historically excluded to apply. Please submit a cover letter that describes your specific interest in Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and your qualifications for the position. Send with a resumé.

Please send materials to:

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis – Artistic Director
c/o Catherine French Group
2500 Q Street, NW, Suite 623
Washington, DC 20007

MS Word or Adobe Acrobat attachments only, please. The position will remain open until filled. A review of credentials will begin in early February 2025.

About Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization known for innovative productions featuring outstanding young artists. The company offers a festival opera season each spring which attracts ticket buyers from the metropolitan area and visitors from nearly 50 states and multiple countries.

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