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- Tasks: Lead a groundbreaking project reinterpreting classic operas with diverse performers.
- Company: Streetwise Opera celebrates opera's heritage while empowering marginalized voices.
- Benefits: Earn competitive fees and collaborate with talented artists in prestigious venues.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by reshaping narratives and engaging with contemporary themes in opera.
- Qualifications: Experience in directing and a passion for innovative storytelling are essential.
- Other info: Travel expenses are not covered; apply based on your local region.
Job Description
Streetwise Opera is excited to launch Reimagining the Classics (April 2025 – March 2026), a bold and innovative project celebrating the rich heritage of opera by exploring its relevance to today’s world. This initiative will bridge the gap between the historic and the contemporary, creating an inspiring dialogue between the past and the present.
Through this project, Streetwise Opera performers, including participants in frontline homelessness settings, will uncover the histories and cultural significance of iconic operatic works from the repertoire. They will explore the contexts in which these pieces were written, examining their production histories and the social, political and artistic climates that shaped them.
Working alongside professional directors, composers and music directors, participants will reinterpret these classics through their own unique perspectives. By addressing themes and narratives that may feel outdated or problematic today, they will reimagine the works, breathing fresh life into these timeless stories. The result will be newly created performances, reflecting the insights of performers whose voices are too often unheard.
Inspired by participants’ research, each reimagined piece will culminate in performances presented alongside major opera company productions, in some of the most prestigious theatres in the UK in spring 2026, giving audiences the chance to experience these masterpieces through a contemporary lens. Alongside these productions, Streetwise Opera performers will present an interactive multimedia exhibition, providing insights into the work and diversity of opera and theatre makers from the past.
Reimagining the Classics aims to be not only a celebration of opera’s rich heritage but also a powerful demonstration of how history and creativity can intersect to inspire and challenge us. This project invites everyone to discover how the stories of the past can inform and enrich the stories of today, shining a light on perspectives often overlooked in traditional narratives.
Director Brief
Streetwise Opera will commission three directors for this project, across the three regions we work in: London, Nottingham and Manchester.
Streetwise Opera is committed to engaging local artists wherever possible and is therefore unable to pay for travel expenses to attend workshops, rehearsals or performances. We therefore ask applicants to consider this when selecting the city or region they are applying to work in.
The application deadline is 10am on Monday 17 March.
We will be holding interviews on the week of 24 March.
Details
A fee of £150 per session is offered for the project (inclusive of planning). A minimum fee of £600 for Phase 1 and £1,500 for Phase 2 would be offered.
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Reimagining the Classics Director employer: Streetwise Opera Company
Contact Detail:
Streetwise Opera Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Reimagining the Classics Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the themes and narratives of classic operas. Understanding the historical context and the social issues surrounding these works will help you articulate your vision for reimagining them in a contemporary setting.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with local artists and organizations in the regions of London, Nottingham, and Manchester. Building relationships with community members can provide valuable insights and support for your project, as well as demonstrate your commitment to engaging local talent.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your approach to inclusivity and representation in opera. Highlight how you plan to incorporate the voices of performers from frontline homelessness settings, showcasing your dedication to diversity and social impact within the arts.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to share your previous experiences in directing or collaborating on innovative projects. Providing examples of how you've successfully engaged with diverse communities or tackled challenging themes will strengthen your application and demonstrate your capability for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Reimagining the Classics Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Project: Dive deep into the Reimagining the Classics project. Familiarize yourself with Streetwise Opera's mission and the significance of bridging historic operatic works with contemporary themes.
Tailor Your Application: Craft your application to reflect your unique perspective on opera and how you can contribute to reinterpreting classic works. Highlight any relevant experience in directing, especially with diverse or underrepresented groups.
Showcase Your Vision: In your application, articulate your vision for how you would approach the reimagining of classic operas. Discuss specific themes or narratives you believe are important to address and how you would engage participants in this process.
Prepare for the Interview: If selected for an interview, be ready to discuss your ideas in detail. Think about how you would collaborate with local artists and the importance of community engagement in your directorial approach.
How to prepare for a job interview at Streetwise Opera Company
✨Understand the Project's Vision
Familiarize yourself with the goals of 'Reimagining the Classics' and how it aims to connect historical operatic works with contemporary issues. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with this innovative approach.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience working with diverse groups, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. Emphasize your ability to collaborate with performers and artists to create inclusive and meaningful interpretations of classic works.
✨Prepare for Thoughtful Discussions
Expect to engage in discussions about the social, political, and artistic contexts of the operas you will be reinterpreting. Be ready to share your insights on how these elements can be addressed in modern performances.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Opera
Convey your enthusiasm for opera and its history. Share specific examples of how you have engaged with operatic works in the past and how you envision bringing fresh perspectives to the classics through this project.
