Volunteer
Volunteers play an important role at the New York City Opera. Our volunteer corps is a large group of people with extremely varied backgrounds who come together to support the company. The volunteers are an integral part of the day-to-day activities here at City Opera. Volunteer duties range from working as sales staff at our Gift Shop and helping at our Thrift Shop to guiding backstage tours, staffing information tables at performances, providing office and clerical support, and many other activities.
How to Get Involved
We are currently accepting volunteer applications for the 2010 - 2011 season. Once applications have been reviewed, potential volunteers will be contacted for interviews starting after April 30th, 2011. To fill out an application please click the link below.
Volunteer Opportunities
Within the Volunteer Services Department are several different jobs all overseen by the Director of Retail and Volunteer Services, Eric Hagmueller. Please see job descriptions below:
Gift Shop - Volunteers serve as sales associates at the Promenade Gift Shop during all performances. Duties include customer service, display of merchandise, and cashier work.
Information Services - Information Services is an important link between the New York City Opera Company and its audience. Information Services volunteers are responsible for being knowledgeable about City Opera and its repertory, history, activities, membership, Volunteer Services, and its home – The David H. Koch Theater. The primary responsibility of an Information Services volunteer is to answer any questions that opera patrons may have relating to City Opera and beyond during performances.
Lectures - New York City Opera’s popular New Production Panels, Matinee Lectures, Family Workshops and Opera 101 range from an in-depth look at one of the works in repertory to roundtable discussions with creative minds behind the season’s new productions as well as fun programs for the entire family and informative lectures with a broad view of City Opera programming. City Opera’s Lectures are staffed by volunteers who interact directly with the public at each lecture. This includes answering questions regarding the company, speakers and the lectures in general.
Backstage Tours - Backstage Tours of The David H. Koch Theater include an inside look into the costume shop, backstage, the main stage, and the auditorium. These tours are guided and narrated by volunteers; therefore an intensive training process of 40 hours is required in order to become a Backstage Tours volunteer.
Administrative - Administrative volunteers provide clerical support for various departments at NYCO; duties are primarily limited to the daytime.
Thrift Shop - The City Opera Thrift Shop is open 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year and needs volunteers! The shop is located at 222 East 23rd Street between 2nd and 3td Avenues. Volunteers serve as sales assistants; working behind the counter to check bags, assist customers and help the staff when necessary.