Oratorio For Living Things 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 for Living Things, by our newest playwright resident, genre-defying theater maker 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 Production, General Management, Development, Marketing, Artistic, Finance, and Human Resources teams.

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

About Signature

Founded in 1991, Signature Theatre celebrates playwrights and gives them an artistic home through playwriting residencies. In 2005, Signature began its groundbreaking Signature Ticket Initiative, providing affordable tickets to all of its productions. In 2012, Signature opened the Pershing Square Signature Center, the Frank Gehry-designed 75,000 square foot Center featuring three theatres, two rehearsal studios, a central, public lobby with a café and bookstore, as well as administrative offices.

Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre field and aligning with Signature Theatre’s artistic mission and institutional priorities focused on playwrights, community and access are strongly encouraged to apply.

Signature is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access and welcomes candidates who have demonstrable experience advocating for underrepresented communities.?

All employees of Signature Theatre have a responsibility to be active in the institution's continued commitment to its Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility values and goals. Please read our commitment to creating a theatre focused on EDIA at signaturetheatre.org.?

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 and 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.

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

Application Instructions

Please apply through Signature’s jobs portal

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3418870/SIGNATURE-THEATRE-COMPANY-Inc/ORATORIO-FOR-LIVING-THINGS-FELLOW   

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

Questions:?

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?

Signature’s fellowship program requires no previous work or educational experience for participation. 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.

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.

No phone calls, please. For more information about Signature, please visit www.signaturetheatre.org.

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:

1. Artistic
2. Production
3. General & Company Management
4. Marketing 
5. Development 
6. Finance
7. 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 weekly reflections with hosting department heads.  These weekly reflections will help guide the fellow on selecting tier final Fellow Project.  The Fellow Project 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.

Desired Skills and Experience

Signature’s fellowship program requires no previous work or educational experience for participation. 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.