Oratorio Fellow
ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS FELLOW-SIGNATURE THEATRE
Signature Theatre, one of New York’s leading off-Broadway theatres, is seeking a Fellow for our production of Oratorio, by Resident Playwright, Heather Christian. The Oratorio Fellow is a full-time, temporary member of Signature’s team. Working closely with Signature staff, the Oratorio 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 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 & Audience Development
Development & Fundraising
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 end in late November 2025.
The project will serve as a representation of their experience and allow fellows to showcase their skills. 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
To Apply
You will be prompted to upload a resume and answer the following questions (250 words per question):
Questions:?
- Why are you interested in working at Signature supporting Heather Christian's production of Oratorio for Living Things?
- What skills and experiences will you bring to this role?
- What skills and experiences are you hoping to gain upon completing the fellowship?
- 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?
- What was an experience that shaped your views about theatre and inspired your interest in working in the arts?
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 Friday, August 22, 2025. This position will begin on September 2, 2025 and ends 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.