Festival Lighting Assistant — Focus Sessions & Repertory

Opera Stl; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) seeks an organized Assistant Lighting Designer to support lighting designs for the 2027 Festival Season. You will work with the Lighting Designer, Master Electrician, Lighting Supervisor, and Video Designer to ensure artistic integrity across four operas in rotating repertory.

The role involves season prep, technical rehearsals, and production changeovers, creating lighting paperwork, and assisting with the festival lighting plot.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of theatrical lighting principles and practices.
• Ability to read and draft lighting plots and related paperwork.
• Experience with theatrical lighting equipment and programming on ETC consoles.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Collaborative communication and people-management skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Lighting Designer with season preparation and maintain lighting paperwork.
• Update season inventories and co-production documentation.
• Generate drawings, plots, and related materials as assigned.
• Help install festival lighting plot and support changeovers between productions.
• Participate in and help lead lighting focus sessions before performances.
• Work with Lighting Designer during rehearsals to build cues and cue sheets.
• Coordinate with Master Electrician during rehearsals as needed.
• Maintain a quiet, efficient tech table environment.
• Run focus checks before performances and maintain lighting integrity after opening.
• Support ongoing lighting adjustments and troubleshooting.
• Coordinate lighting rentals and purchases with Lighting Supervisor.
• Assist with training and mentorship of electrics crew and assistants.

Skills

Theatrical lighting knowledge

Read/draft lighting plots

ETC console programming

Organizational skills

Collaborative communication

Evening/weekend flexibility

Tools

ETC consoles

Job description

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) seeks an organized Assistant Lighting Designer to support lighting designs for the 2027 Festival Season. You will work with the Lighting Designer, Master Electrician, Lighting Supervisor, and Video Designer to ensure artistic integrity across four operas in rotating repertory.

The role involves season prep, technical rehearsals, and production changeovers, creating lighting paperwork, and assisting with the festival lighting plot.