ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS FELLOW

Fellowship

Signature Theatre, one of New York’s leading off-Broadway theatres, is seeking a Fellow for our production of Oratorio For Living Things, by Signature’s newest Resident Playwright, Heather Christian. The Oratorio For Living Things Fellow is a full-time, temporary member of Signature’s team. Working closely with Signature staff, the Oratorio For Living Things Fellow will provide administrative and logistical support. The Fellow will work directly with Signature’s General Management, Production, Development, Marketing, Artistic, Finance, and Human Resources teams.

About Signature

Signature Theatre is an artistic home for storytellers. By producing several plays from each resident writer, Signature offers a deep dive into their bodies of work. Founded in 1991 by James Houghton, Signature serves its mission by hosting our distinctive playwright residencies at our home at The Pershing Square Signature Center, a three-theatre facility on West 42nd Street designed by Frank Gehry Architects. The Center supports and encourages collaboration among artists, cultural organizations, and local communities by providing free, public access throughout the space. In addition to its three theatres, the Center features a studio theatre, a rehearsal studio and a public café and bar. Since its founding, Signature has received over 100 awards and in 2014 became the first New York theatre to receive the Regional Tony Award.

EDIA

Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre field and aligning with Signature theatre’s institutional goals and priorities focused on playwrights, community and access are strongly encouraged to apply.
Signature is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility and welcomes candidates who have demonstrable experience advocating for underrepresented communities.
Please read our commitment to creating a theatre focused on EDIA at signaturetheatre.org

Position Summary

Becoming a Fellow at Signature requires no previous work or educational experience. Fellowship selection will be based on demonstrable interest and commitment to a career in the arts with an ability to articulate how a fellowship at Signature will help the fellow learn and grow into the future leader they would like to become. Resumes should focus on meaningful experiences and outline responsibilities and achievements. They can include professional, academic and/or personal pursuits.

Responsibilities

The Oratorio For Living Things Fellow will engage in structured rotations across various departments, ensuring a holistic understanding of theatre operations. The Fellow will be assigned department-specific mentors to guide their learning experience.

Departments include:

• Artistic
• Production
• General & Company Management
• Marketing
• Development
• Finance
• Human Resources

Professional Mentorship

Weekly mentorship guidance with a department lead will enhance the fellows’ industry knowledge and career readiness.

Topics include:

• Contract Negotiation & Union Overview
• Grant Writing & Fundraising Strategies
• Culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Arts
• Financial Literacy for Arts Professionals
• Producing Theatre
• Audience Development and Community Engagement

Networking

STC’s fellow will be paired with an industry mentor-STC Board member or alumni playwright or alumni director or alumni stage manager for ongoing career coaching.

• Fellows will participate in networking events with industry professionals, alumni, and partner organizations.
• Access to job shadowing opportunities with industry leaders.

Live Project Assignment

Fellows will work collaboratively on a project that is scheduled to be presented in late November 2025
to Signature’s senior leadership team. The project will serve as a representation of the fellow’s work
plans and allow the fellow to showcase their learning experience.
Examples of a project that a STC Fellow will be assigned to support through completion:

• Producing/Curating a staged reading or workshop production.
• Developing a marketing strategy for a production.
• Creating a community engagement initiative.

Before Applying

• Familiarize yourself with Signature’s artists, programming, staff, and mission, available on our
  website
• Think through artists and works that excite you – ones you have seen, heard, and/or read
• Think through your personal strengths and areas where you are looking to grow your knowledge
  further through an opportunity like this fellowship

Compensation and Additional Resources

• $22.00/hour/ 40 hours each week. Exact daily and weekly work schedule will be determined
• between administration and the fellow upon hiring. Please note that Signature’s office hours are
• 10am-6pm. This fellowship may include some occasional evening hours. Hours that exceed 40
• hours in a given work week, will be paid at the overtime rate of $33.00/hour.
• Additional benefits include: A monthly unlimited MetroCard, provided by Signature.
• Mentorship opportunities include but are not limited to an assigned mentor from each of the
  following departments: General Management, Production, Marketing, Artistic, Finance and
  Human Resources. The Fellow will receive cross departmental learning opportunities while
  shadowing departmental mentors for an assigned period during the fellowship.
• Regular professional development lunch-and-learns with Signature staff and artists.
• Goal setting workshops and check-ins.
• Access to industry conferences, roundtables and networking events, including opportunities to
  connect with internship cohorts and theatre professionals.

Additional Information

Applications will be accepted through Monday, August 4, 2025. This position will begin on September 2, 2025, and is scheduled to end on November 16, 2025, with a possible three-week extension through
December 7, 2025.

Considerations

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed,
ancestry, national origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, affectional preference,
gender identity or expression, sexual and reproductive health decisions, pregnancy, disability, genetic
predisposition, age, military, or veteran status, marital or familial status, or any other protected
characteristic, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

To Apply

You will be prompted to upload a resume and answer the following questions (250 words per
question):

1. Why are you interested in working at Signature supporting Heather Christian’s production of
   Oratorio For Living Things?
2. What skills and experiences will you bring to this role?
3. What skills and experiences are you hoping to gain upon completing the fellowship?
4. Please share details of a challenging moment you have had during a moment of collaboration.
   How did you handle the challenge, and what did you learn from the experience?
5. What was an experience that shaped your views about theatre and inspired your interest in
   working in the arts?

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