Company Description
Ravinia® is both North America’s longest-running not-for-profit music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events by a mix of classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country performers make up a typical summer season on our two open-air and two indoor stages. Each year the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is featured in six weeks of concerts, many with Chief Conductor Marin Alsop. During the same summer months, Ravinia’s Steans Institute provides young professional classical and jazz musicians with career-advancing training and concert settings.
Offstage and year-round, Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs engage 50,000 children and adults—in schools with little to no music curriculum, in our Chicagoland communities, and at our 36-acre park—in our mission to make music equitably accessible to all.
Dates of Employment
Mid-May through Early-September 2025
PLEASE NOTE: The annual salary posted reflects 17 weeks of work (see below for salary details)
Applications are accepted through April 20, 2025. Early applications are encouraged and appreciated! Applications with resumes and cover letters are preferred.
Job Description
The Production Coordinator works closely with the Director of Programming, Manager of Artist Services & Programming, Production Operations Manager, and Production Manager. The Production Coordinator plays an integral role in overseeing the Production department’s assistant staff and the day-to-day activities of the classical music performances presented throughout the season. While there are stage management elements to this position, the technical stage elements are handled by a union crew.
Responsibilities
- Assist in the training and oversight of Production Assistants and Assistant Production Coordinators with the Production Operations Manager
- Help create weekly Production Assistant and Assistant Production Coordinator work schedules with Production Operations Manager
- Help manage day-to-day backstage operations by overseeing staff, daily schedules, transportation, and inventory shopping
- Help maintain the Production department’s master schedule with Operations Manager and Assistant Production Coordinators
- Liaise and assist the Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians and staff during their residency at Ravinia, which includes, but is not limited to:
- aiding in performance record keeping
- coordinating private rehearsal spaces for orchestra members
- issuing orchestra lawn passes, parking hangers, and Ravinia ID badges
- organizing Highland Park beach passes
- preparing backstage spaces for orchestra use
- preparing and distributing orchestra welcome letters
- maintaining and distributing weekly rehearsal guest lists
- providing guidance on ticket purchasing and general Ravinia questions
- Share classical performance Concert Duty and responsibilities and serves as day-of venue contact for artists
- Serve as stage manager for films, visiting ensemble, CSO guest soloists, and conductors by calling show queues
- Share concert advancing responsibilities with the Manager of Artist Services & Programming, as assigned
- In conjunction with the Production Manager, create and distribute classical concert day sheets including crew calls, rehearsals, piano tunes, backline and concert details
- Ensure classical artists’ local ground transportation is integrated into the daily Production schedule and confirmed with artists
- Assign dressing room space for classical concerts and oversee classical artist backstage hospitality
- Coordinate the sale of artist merchandise and facilitate CD signings (with Operations Manager and Merchandise Manager)
- Coordinate piano and harpsichord deliveries, moves, and tunings
- Aid Production Manager with instrument rental and delivery for classical concerts (e.g. harp, bass, percussion), as needed
- Coordinate choir logistics (e.g. parking passes, ticketing, dressing room space, hospitality)
- Arrange any auxiliary services for artists (e.g. doctor visits, dry cleaning, child car seats, meals)
- In conjunction with Manager of Artist Services & Programming, serve as lead Production liaison for opera or staged productions. Responsibilities may include; serving as the main point of contact for the cast and creative team, coordinating daily calls with stage managers, communicating schedules and updates with the cast and creative team, coordinating meals, props, and transportation, and ensuring the production runs smoothly
- Assist in preparing Ravinia owned houses and hotel rooms for visiting artists
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Background in concert production and/or stage management
- Knowledge of the technical aspects of concert production
- Experience overseeing and managing staff
- Familiarity with classical music (from the performance and/or arts management end)
- Excellent communication, attention to detail, and organizational skills
- Creative problem-solving and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
- Consistent source of transportation at any time of day or night and a reliable cell phone
- Clean driving record**
- Driving Record Requirements to Operate Ravinia Fleet Vehicles
- Drivers must be age 19+
- Record must be free of any violation for speeding in excess of 19mph over the speed limit within the last three years
- Record must be free of multiple speeding violations (of any severity) within the last three years
- Record must be free of any at-fault accident violations within the last five years
Ravinia reserves the right to extend driving record requirements beyond those noted above.
Ideal candidates will also offer some of the following skills/experience:
- Familiarity with Google Workspace
- Foreign language speakers are encouraged to apply
All hiring is contingent upon receipt of an approved background and driving record check. All employees are required to sign an employment agreement and a confidentiality agreement.
Work Environment
This is a full-time seasonal position based in Highland Park, IL. This position requires the ability to work outside of normal business hours (extensive early mornings, late nights, and weekends, including some seven-day work weeks). Prolonged periods of standing, pushing/pulling carts, and lifting/carrying various supplies are required.
Compensation And Benefits
Salary: $1,300 per week. This position is not eligible for overtime. Based on the concert schedule, this position will be working 40-60 hours per week for 17 weeks.
Benefits: Some meals provided. Free parking at the venue. Monthly cell phone stipend. Eligible for Illinois Paid Leave plan.
Ravinia is an Equal Opportunity Employer
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Ravinia strongly believes that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success. We strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees. Ravinia does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
