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- Tasks: Lead a groundbreaking project reinterpreting classic operas with diverse performers.
- Company: Streetwise Opera champions creativity and inclusivity in the arts, focusing on homelessness.
- Benefits: Earn competitive fees while collaborating with talented artists in prestigious venues.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact by reshaping opera narratives and amplifying unheard voices.
- Qualifications: Experience in directing and a passion for innovative storytelling required.
- 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 By addressing themes and narratives that may feel outdated or problematic today, they will reimagine the works, breathing fresh life into these timeless stories.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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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
Familiarise yourself with the history and cultural significance of the operatic works you’ll be working with. Understanding the context in which these pieces were created will help you bring a fresh perspective to your reinterpretation.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with local artists and theatre makers in the regions of London, Nottingham, and Manchester. Building relationships with these creatives can provide valuable insights and collaborations that will enhance your project.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you would address themes and narratives that may feel outdated or problematic today. Having clear ideas on how to modernise these classics will demonstrate your innovative thinking during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider the interactive multimedia exhibition aspect of the project. Think about how you can incorporate diverse perspectives and engage audiences in a meaningful way, as this will be a key part of the overall experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Reimagining the Classics Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Project: Familiarise yourself with the Reimagining the Classics project. Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the vision and objectives of Streetwise Opera, ensuring your application reflects an understanding of the project's goals.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight relevant experience in directing, particularly in innovative or community-focused projects. Emphasise any work that showcases your ability to reinterpret classic works or engage with diverse communities, especially those related to homelessness.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for opera and its relevance today. Discuss how your unique perspective can contribute to the reimagining of classic operatic works and engage with the themes outlined in the project.
Prepare for the Interview: If selected for an interview, be ready to discuss your vision for the project and how you would approach working with participants from frontline homelessness settings. Think about how you can facilitate their voices in the reinterpretation of classic operas.
How to prepare for a job interview at Streetwise Opera Company
✨Understand the Project's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the goals of the Reimagining the Classics project. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with Streetwise Opera's mission to bridge historical and contemporary opera, and how you can contribute to this innovative dialogue.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience working with diverse groups, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Emphasise your ability to collaborate with performers who may have unique perspectives, particularly in frontline homelessness settings.
✨Prepare for Creative Interpretation
Think about how you would reinterpret classic operatic works. Be ready to share specific examples of themes or narratives you believe could be reimagined, and how you would approach these reinterpretations to resonate with today's audiences.
✨Engage with the Community Aspect
Discuss your understanding of the importance of community engagement in the arts. Be prepared to explain how you would involve local artists and participants in the creative process, ensuring their voices are heard and valued throughout the project.
