Training, internships and work experience

In addition to the entry qualifications, applicants must have the following skills and aptitudes: an interest in theatre, a gift for art and manual dexterity, artistic sensitivity, a good spatial imagination and the ability to think in three dimensions, good colour vision, stamina and the ability to remain focused while under pressure. As scenic artists and theatrical sculptors often work in a standing or stooped posture and are frequently exposed to paints and solvents, it’s essential that apprentices have no underlying physical impairments that could prevent these activities and no relevant allergies.

The apprenticeship as scenic artist and theatrical sculptor takes three years and ends with an examination set by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. In addition to the main in-house training in the scenery workshops, apprentices also attend vocational school.

Anyone who wants to work as an event technology specialist at the theatre should have an interest in technology and be prepared to deal with the unique conditions imposed by artistic performances. S/he has to run the technical stage systems during rehearsals and performances in the theatre and be familiar with the artistic concept of any production so that s/he can also work in real-time to ensure the perfect realisation of a live performance.

The following skills are required: technical expertise, manual dexterity, creativity in solving technical & artistic problems, the ability to work in a team, reliability, a sense of responsibility, a willingness to work irregular hours and the ability to work under pressure. In many areas, computer and English skills can be useful.

An apprenticeship to become a specialist for event technology last three years and encompasses the following areas: event design and safety; the provision, setting up, testing, securing, transportation and storage of equipment; the operation of stage equipment; energy supply; lighting, sound and public address systems; the recording and transmission of light, image and sound data; special effects; the planning and staging of events; and the use of modern media.

Make-up artists need to be fascinated by the world of theatre. Important prerequisites for make-up artists are creativity, a highly developed aesthetic sense, great artistic sensibility and powers of expression as well as manual skills. Good social skills, adaptability as well as sensitivity in dealing with performers are all essential to the profession and help make the work easier.

Physical stamina, flexibility in working hours and the ability to work in a team are further important traits of make-up artists. A fine aesthetic perception and the ability to express yourself artistically and technically are also vital prerequisites for the profession.

It usually takes three years to train as a make-up artist. Apprentices attend vocational school while also training directly at the theatre and its workshops.

If you want to learn the profession of tailor for women’s or men’s clothing, you should possess good manual dexterity, a strong imagination, sufficient patience to complete painstaking designs and a willingness to learn so that you can always adapt to unfamiliar and unusual designs and materials.

An apprenticeship to become a tailor usually takes three years.

A good understanding of both electrical and information technology as well as manual dexterity are needed to be able to implement the technical designs specified by the stage director. Media designers collaborate closely with various departments of the respective theatres to ensure the smooth running of events. A willingness to work irregular hours, including weekends and public holidays, is essential.

Training to become a media designer for image and sound usually takes three years, culminating in a professional examination by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. In-house training takes place in the sound and video departments at the Dresden State Theatre (Staatsschauspiel).

In addition to the entry qualifications, a metalworker at the theatre should be good with their hands and possess technical affinity as well as a spatial imagination, physical resilience and an interest in realising artistic ideas. 

The apprenticeship as metalworker usually takes three and a half years, at the end of which you sit an examination organised by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. In addition to the main in-house training in the scenery workshops, apprentices attend vocational school.

In addition to the entry qualifications, a set dresser should have manual skills and technical aptitude, an ability to think spatially, physical stamina and an interest in realising artistic ideas.

It usually takes three years to train as a set dresser, at the end of which you will sit an exam set by the Handwerkskammer. Alongside the main in-house training in the scenery workshops (upholstery, scenery, masking curtains and sun shades, set decoration and the laying of flooring), apprentices attend vocational school.

For the profession of shoemaker, you need good manual skills, an interest in costume and art history and the ability to work in a team. During your training, you will learn how to work with different materials as well as gaining basic knowledge of human anatomy, especially the foot.

It usually takes three years to train as a shoemaker.

In addition to the entry qualifications, a carpenter employed at a theatre should be interested in realising artistic ideas.

In the initial training phase to become a carpenter, traditional wood joints are made by hand; only later is instruction given in the safe handling of woodworking machines.

An apprenticeship to become a carpenter usually takes three years.

Please send your application documents with a covering letter, CV and most recent report card as well as proof of any internships, courses and/or workshops you have already completed to the contact person named above.

The relevant department will decide on the awarding of an internship. The processing time in the various departments can vary greatly from between two to six weeks. Subsequently, you will receive notification of acceptance or rejection from our Human Resources Department. Each application is reviewed individually and carefully discussed to ensure that the required supervision of the intern can be integrated with the existing production schedule.

Please send your application documents with a covering letter, CV and most recent report card as well as proof of any internships, courses and/or workshops you have already completed to the contact person named above.

Please send your application documents with a covering letter, CV and most recent report card as well as proof of any internships, courses and/or workshops you have already completed to the contact person named above.

Please send your application documents with a covering letter, CV and most recent report card as well as proof of any internships, courses and/or workshops you have already completed to the contact person named above.

Involvement in the following projects in the music theatre education department Semperoper Aktiv!:

1. music theatre educational workshops in schools;
2. music theatre clubs;
3. holiday project;
4. opera workshop (weekend workshops for children and young people);

Activities:

• assisting with music theatre educational workshops and projects (preparation, material creation and implementation);
• administration, correspondence with schools, IT;
• managing and maintaining library accounts and contact lists;
• research tasks;
• independent music theatre educational activities;
• observation of a selected production on Semper Zwei;

Opportunities:
The volunteer has the opportunity to get to know the diverse field of music theatre education over the course of a year. In practice, by assisting and independently teaching methods, as well as theoretically, through research into plays, specialist literature on music theatre education and regular exchange with music theatre educators. Becoming familiar with the working methods and methods of music theatre education should enable the volunteer to independently carry out a music theatre education project during the year.

Other:
Desirable qualities and skills: ability to work in a team, creativity, initiative, enthusiasm, flexibility, interest in opera, enjoyment of working with groups, experience of working with children and young people, ability to play a musical instrument/ability to read music an advantage.

The music theatre education department of the Semperoper Dresden arranges opera, ballet and concert visits and offers a range of activities for schools and individuals. The focus is on active participation. Further information is available at semperoper.de/aktiv

Registration on the website of the Voluntary Services for Culture and Education

The Historical Archive documents the artistic past of the Sächsischen Staatstheater and its various departments like a memory. Programme booklets, programme notes, historical photos and many other treasures provide a vivid picture of Dresden's musical and theatrical history over the past centuries.

The archive, which is unique in the German theatre landscape, is open to the public. Archive users can conduct research themselves free of charge by appointment; a processing fee is charged for the processing of enquiries by the archive staff and for related services.

Assistance in the Historical Archive:

• Indexing and archiving of documents and objects in an IT-supported database,
• support with academic research;
• assistance with archive projects in the area of public relations.

Activities:

• assisting with the indexing, cataloguing and packaging of archive materials;
• providing archive materials for internal and external use;
• registering objects and data in the archive database;
• Subject-related research for upcoming opera, theatre and ballet premieres and concerts by the orchestra
• Support with the preparation and realisation of in-house exhibitions;
• Collaboration on special projects in the area of public relations;
• Editorial assistance with publications of the Saxon State Theatres (programme booklets, magazine).

Opportunities:

• Insight into a theatre company;
• Insight into the archival work of a renowned multi-genre theatre;
• Personal contacts with research and cultural institutions;
• Further training in the use of common software.

Desirable characteristics and skills:

• an interest in culture, (musical) theatre, history and classical music;
• ability to work confidently with modern information technologies;
• independence, conscientiousness;
• organisational skills, team spirit, sense of responsibility.

Register on the website of the Voluntary Services for Culture and Education

The main focus of the work is to provide continuous and intensive support for the graphic design and social media activities of the Semperoper.

Activities:
The volunteer will gain in-depth insights into the corporate design of the Semperoper Dresden and learn about the workflows in this area. The volunteer will be introduced to the design programmes InDesign and Photoshop and should be willing to learn how to use the programmes independently using online tutorials. The volunteer will be involved in design-related routines, such as adapting posters, advertisements and match day posters to different formats, and will provide input for the graphic production of the Semper Magazine in the area of image editing and graphics.

In addition, the volunteer provides support for social media and web design and is also responsible for creating the daily press review.

Opportunities:
Due to the intensive contact with artists and employees, the volunteer gains deep insights into the workflows of a large cultural institution. Structured work and time management become an integral part of the work processes. In previous years, personal learning successes and positive experiences were reported back by the volunteers. After the year, the volunteers can/will usually study or work in the field of cultural management, media management or graphic design.

Other:
In addition to a general interest in culture and design, we expect applicants to have some initial creative experience (e.g. in drawing, painting, photography, typography or film) and an affinity for working with computer-aided design.

Registration on the website of the cultural and educational volunteer services

The main focus of the work is to provide continuous and intensive support for the press relations team.

Activities:
Specific areas of work include compiling the daily press review, managing social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), research work and looking after journalists and camera crews. Depending on the creative abilities of the individual volunteers, there is also the opportunity to write texts for the various Semperoper media (Semper magazine, monthly programme, website, etc.) and to implement an independent project. Volunteers should be communicative and have a quick mind. In addition, good foreign language skills and MS Office skills would be desirable.

Opportunities:
Due to the intensive contact with artists, employees and journalists, the volunteers gain deep insights into the workings of a large cultural institution. The volunteers can gain insight into various software programs used in the theatre (e.g. TheaSoft) and acquire further computer skills. Structured work and time management become an integral part of the work process through new challenges every day. In previous years, the volunteers reported back on very personal learning successes and positive experiences. After the year is over, the volunteers can/will usually study or work in the field of cultural management, German studies or other areas of management and journalism.

Other:
We expect very good knowledge of German spelling and grammar. Writing short messages and texts (e.g. for Facebook and the Semper Magazine) should be desirable and enjoyable. Routine work, such as creating press clippings and press reviews, requires diligence and a keen interest in media.

Register on the website of the Voluntary Services for Culture and Education.

The music library works for all three areas and provides the singers, musicians and other employees of the house with the sheet music necessary for the performances. The volunteer supports the two employees in the department with his work. His/her activities cover all three areas.

Activities:
The main focus of the work in the sheet music library is on producing and preparing sheet music for opera and ballet premieres and for the concerts of the Sächsische Staatskapelle. The volunteer does extensive copying and binding work. He/she prepares the sheet music – scores, piano reductions and orchestral parts – according to the requirements of the conductors, directors and concertmasters. He/she is responsible for making jump versions, bowings and dynamic entries. Further work is involved in independently issuing and returning the sheet music. The volunteer participates in research work in the search for the required viewing and performance material. Newly acquired or adopted sheet music and textbooks are inventoried and added to the collection. The volunteer is responsible for creating invoices (list of monthly broadcasts by cost unit). He/she works independently with the data programme ‘Faust’ and begins entering the music library's inventory, which was previously recorded on index cards.

Opportunities:
During the voluntary cultural year, the young person can gain important experience in the preparatory work necessary for the creation of a production or the preparation of a concert. He/she experiences the work processes from the planning phase to the start of rehearsals and the performance.

A requirement for working in our field is knowledge of sheet music (playing an instrument).

Registration on the website of the Voluntary Services for Culture and Education

The volunteer will work in the orchestra management of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden.

Activities:
The field of activity includes supporting and assisting with the work and activities of the PR and marketing office of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden. The volunteer can expect a varied mix of tasks related to the various advertising and press activities that arise in connection with the orchestra's concert activities and season planning, as well as maintaining various online channels.

Opportunities:
Due to the intensive contact with artists, employees and press representatives, the volunteers gain deep insights into the workings of a large cultural institution, particularly in the areas of orchestra management, marketing and public relations. We offer the opportunity to attend rehearsals, premieres and performances. Creative problem solving, structured work and efficient time management become an integral part of the workflow through new challenges every day.

We welcome applicants who have the following qualities and skills:

• an interest in music,
• openness and curiosity,
• a sense of responsibility and independence,
• an ability to communicate,
• commitment/dedication and flexibility,
• computer skills and a certain media literacy.

Register on the website of the Voluntary Services for Culture and Education.