Assistant director (m/f/d) for the new opera production "Otello"

The Heidenheim Opera Festival (www.opernfestspiele.de) is looking for a

Directing Assistant (m / f / d)

for the new opera production "Otello" by Giuseppe Verdi (open-air production for Rittersaal Schloss Hellenstein / in case of bad weather Festspielhaus Congress Centrum) with premiere on May 26 - July 3, 2026.07.the director is Rosetta Cucchi.

The Heidenheim Opera Festival is a traditional, internationally oriented classical music festival with the highest artistic standards. The extensive summer festival program focuses on in-house opera productions and symphony concerts as well as the open-air venue Rittersaal Schloss Hellenstein and the modern, acoustically top-class Festspielhaus Congress Centrum Heidenheim. Marcus Bosch has been Festival Director since 2010 and has developed the opera festival extremely dynamically: expansion of content and program, doubling of audience numbers and self-financing, award as "Best Festival" 2025 (OPER!- Award) and winner of the Opus Klassik!Award) and winner of the Opus Klassik 2025 (production Giovanna d' Arco), the collaboration with the Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra and the Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno and a series of early operas by Giuseppe Verdi make the Opera Festival one of the most interesting classical music festivals in Germany. The Opera Festival is directed by the city of Heidenheim.

Responsibilities

We expect you to:

• Support the assistant director in all organizational, artistic and technical matters

  , artistic and technical matters

• Collaboration in the preparation and and post-processing of rehearsals

• If required, marking of figures on stage during rehearsals

• Support with the purchase of props

• Coordination with all trades of the theater operation and the KBB

• Representation of the assistant director in case of absence

Conditions

 We offer you:

• Billing on the basis of an internship contract within the framework of professional orientation

• Accommodation in Heidenheim will be provided for the duration of the stay if required

• Location: Heidenheim an der Brenz

Application deadline: 31.01.2026

Contact: Oliver von Fürich

Ideally, you are currently studying directing / theater studies or similar and/or have already gained initial experience in the field of (music) theater.

However, we also welcome committed applicants who would like to gain initial experience in (music) theater operations and get to know the processes involved in creating an international opera production!

 What you should bring with you:

• Structured way of working and good organizational skills

• The ability to work in a team, problem-solving skills, strong communication skills and empathy in dealing with artists

• Commitment, ability to work independently, Reliability

• Willingness to work flexible hours, especially in the festival sector

• High level of commitment and ability to work under pressure

• Confident communication in English (the director does not speak German)

• Driver's license class B