The Prague Summer Nights Arts Administration Program provides emerging arts leaders with hands-on experience in the logistical, creative, and operational work required to produce a major international summer music festival. Designed for students eager to explore the world of opera, orchestra, and live performance from behind the scenes, this program offers a dynamic and immersive look into how a professional festival comes to life.
Participants gain broad, practical exposure to multiple facets of arts administration—festival operations, production, marketing, artist services, orchestra personnel work, and more—while living and working in two of Europe’s most historic and inspiring cities. Throughout the four-week program, students collaborate closely with the Festival Administration, PSN faculty, guest artists, and performers, taking on meaningful responsibilities that directly shape the festival experience.
By engaging daily in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, Arts Administrators develop the communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills essential for success in opera, orchestral, and festival management. This unique training program offers an exceptional opportunity to grow professionally, build confidence, and gain real-world experience in one of Europe’s cultural capitals.
Festival Coordinator
Festival Dates: June 15 – July 13, 2026
Pre-Festival Dates (Internship): May 25 – June 12, 2026
Compensation: Full Tuition Scholarship + Modest Pre-Festival Stipend
Reports To: Festival Manager
Collaborates With: Entire Arts Administration Team, Artistic Director, Chamber Music Coordinator, Conductors, Directors, Faculty, Czech Venue Staff, Classical Movements Marketing Team
Position Overview
The Festival Coordinator serves as the lead member of the Arts Administration team, supporting the Festival Manager in overseeing all day-to-day festival operations. This role provides an unparalleled, hands-on leadership experience within a major international performing arts festival, offering significant responsibility in scheduling, multi-departmental coordination, and operational decision-making.
The Festival Coordinator ensures clear communication across departments, manages the daily schedule in collaboration with specialized Arts Administration roles, solves logistical challenges as they arise, and plays a central role in maintaining the smooth, efficient functioning of the festival. This position also includes a two-and-a-half-week pre-festival internship period, during which the coordinator assists in detailed preparation for the full team’s arrival.
This is an intensive, rewarding opportunity designed for emerging arts administrators seeking leadership-level experience in festival management, cross-cultural collaboration, and real-time problem solving in a professional environment.
Pre-Festival Responsibilities
Pre-Festival Responsibilities (Internship Period: May 25 – June 12)
- Assist the Festival Manager in preparing master schedules and rehearsal grids across all departments.
- Help finalize venue assignments and room allocations for Tábor and Prague.
- Coordinate with Program Operations, Production & Stage, Orchestra Personnel & Librarian, and Chamber Music leadership to pre-load scheduling needs.
- Assist with housing assignments, transportation planning, and festival communications.
- Review opera, orchestra, chamber, and voice calendars to identify potential conflicts.
- Set up scheduling templates and communication workflows for the festival period.
Festival Responsibilities
Festival Responsibilities (Arts Administrator)
Leadership & Team Coordination
- Serve as the primary leader of the Arts Administration team, ensuring seamless collaboration and equitable distribution of responsibilities.
- Hold regular check-ins with the Arts Administration team to review schedules, updates, and potential conflicts.
- Ensure departmental needs (opera, orchestra, voice, chamber, production, marketing) are communicated clearly and addressed promptly.
Scheduling & Calendar Management
- Oversee and approve all daily and weekly schedules for rehearsals, coachings, masterclasses, performances, and room allocations.
- Coordinate scheduling needs with:
– Program Operations & Guest Artist Liaison for practice rooms and guest artists
– Production & Stage Coordinator for performance and rehearsal spaces
– Orchestra Personnel Coordinator & Librarian for orchestra and chamber set-ups
– Chamber Music Coordinator for ensemble needs
– Marketing & Social Media Coordinator for content-capture windows - Monitor real-time scheduling changes and implement solutions quickly and professionally.
Communication Hub
- Issue daily companywide notifications, schedule updates, and performance reminders.
- Facilitate communication between faculty, directors, conductors, production teams, marketing, and Czech venue staff.
- Maintain professional, timely communication lines for all festival participants.
Operational Oversight & Festival-wide Support
- Support arrival-day logistics, including airport transfers and student check-in.
- Help coordinate Arts Administration team coverage for airport arrivals and departures.
- Help coordinate the mid-festival transfer from Tábor to Prague, including bus loading, attendance checks, and luggage coordination.
- Monitor rehearsal and performance flow to ensure spaces and personnel are ready.
- Provide on-the-ground troubleshooting for room conflicts, timing issues, or operational needs.
- Escalate urgent matters to the Festival Manager as needed.
Performance Engagement
- Attend festival performances to provide support, observe operations, and maintain communication between production and administrative teams.
- Assist in coordinating faculty, VIP, and guest artist needs when attending performances.
Educational Benefits and Career Development
Education Benefits & Career Development
- Leadership-level training in festival administration and multi-department coordination.
- Direct mentorship from the Festival Manager and Artistic Director.
- Real-world experience working in historic Czech venues and international cultural settings.
- Development of advanced communication, leadership, and crisis-management skills.
- Participation in career-building seminars led by festival faculty and guest artists.
- Invitation to attend all festival performances as part of their educational experience.
- Three full festival days off for rest, reflection, and cultural exploration.
- Ideal preparation for careers in festival management, company management, artistic administration, stage management leadership, or multi-disciplinary performing arts operations.
Program Operations and Guest Artist Liaison
Festival Dates: June 15 – July 13, 2026
Compensation: Partial Tuition Scholarship
Reports To: Festival Manager
Collaborates With: Festival Coordinator, Production & Stage Coordinator, Orchestra Personnel Coordinator & Librarian, Guest Artists, Faculty, Czech venue staff
Position Overview
The Program Operations & Guest Artist Liaison plays an essential role in supporting the daily logistical operations of Prague Summer Nights. As a member of the Arts Administration team, this position focuses on participant services, guest artist hospitality, and smooth day-to-day operations across our venues, rehearsal spaces, and festival activities.
This is a hands-on, professional training experience designed for students interested in arts administration, logistics, artist services, or festival management. Working closely with the Festival Manager and collaborating across multiple departments, the Program Operations & Guest Artist Liaison develops practical skills in communication, scheduling, cross-cultural collaboration, and real-time problem solving within a fast-paced international environment.
Festival Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Participant Logistics
- Assist with student arrivals, housing check-in/check-out, and on-the-ground transportation needs.
- Create and manage rooming lists and transportation rosters.
- Provide general operational support across daily festival activities.
Practice Rooms & Space Management
- Oversee practice room availability, equipment, and sign-up systems.
- Work jointly with the Festival Coordinator on room scheduling under the guidance of the Festival Manager.
Guest Artist Support
- Create guest artist schedules, including assignments for private lessons and masterclasses.
- Greet and accompany guest artists to venues; ensure hospitality needs are met.
- Communicate schedules to students and track attendance for masterclasses.
Operational Communication & Festival-wide Support
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- Communicate new operational or production requests to the Festival Manager and assist with their fulfillment.
- Support the distribution of room schedules, technical rehearsal calendars, and load-in/load-out plans.
- Assist, as requested, with airport transfers on festival arrival and departure dates.
- Help support the mid-festival transfer from Tábor to Prague, including basic logistics support alongside the Arts Administration team.
Educational Benefits and Career Development
Education Benefits & Career Development
- Direct training in festival operations, participant services, artist hospitality, and internal communications.
- Experience working with international faculty, guest artists, and Czech venue staff.
- Practical skill-building in scheduling, logistics, and administrative planning.
- Participation in career development seminars led by festival faculty.
- Invitation to attend all festival performances as part of their educational experience.
- Three full festival days off for rest, exploration, and personal time.
- Ideal preparation for future roles in festival management, artist services, arts administration, logistics, and program coordination.
Production and Stage Coordinator
Festival Dates: June 15 – July 13, 2026
Compensation: Partial Tuition Scholarship
Reports To: Festival Manager
Collaborates With: Program Operations & Guest Artist Liaison, Orchestra Personnel Coordinator & Librarian, Festival Coordinator, Czech venue staff, Conductors, Directors, Student stage crew
Position Overview
The Production & Stage Coordinator ensures the smooth execution of festival rehearsals, concerts, and stage operations. As part of the Arts Administration team, this role focuses on stage management, production logistics, backstage support, and coordination with performance venues.
This position is ideal for students interested in stage management, technical production, opera/theatre operations, or live performance coordination. Working closely with Czech venue partners, faculty directors, conductors, and the Festival Manager, the Production & Stage Coordinator gains real-world experience in fast-paced, multilingual performance environments and develops essential leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Festival Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Production & Stage Operations
- Oversee setup and breakdown of rehearsal and performance spaces.
- Manage festival-owned equipment and props; maintain accurate inventory.
- Coordinate stage plots and concert set-ups in collaboration with the Orchestra Personnel Coordinator & Librarian.
- Support backstage operations and front-of-house readiness for all concerts and performances.
Performance Coordination
- Recruit, schedule, and supervise student stage crew for set-ups, take-downs, and performance-specific needs.
- Call shows (curtain times, cues, transitions) under guidance from the Festival Manager.
- Manage opera supertitles during performances.
- Provide support for non-opera recording set-ups (orchestra and chamber concerts).
Documentation & Communication
- Create and maintain production sheets for concerts and opera activities.
- Communicate production needs clearly across departments and with Czech venue staff.
- Coordinate companywide production notifications in partnership with the Festival Coordinator.
Festival-wide Support
- Assist, as requested, with airport transfers on festival arrival and departure dates.
- Help support the mid-festival transfer from Tábor to Prague, focusing on stage and equipment logistics as needed.
Educational Benefits and Career Development
Education Benefits & Career Development
- Hands-on training in stage management, production workflows, live performance support, and backstage operations.
- Experience working in historic Czech theaters, concert halls, and unique performance venues.
- Development of leadership, communication, and technical coordination skills.
- Participation in career development seminars led by festival faculty and guest artists.
- Invitation to attend all festival performances as part of their educational experience.
- Three full festival days off during the festival.
- Ideal for future careers in stage management, production, opera/theatre operations, festival logistics, and technical direction.
Orchestra Personnel Coordinator and Librarian
Festival Dates: June 15 – July 13, 2026
Pre-Festival Dates (Internship): June 8 – June 12, 2026
Compensation: Partial Tuition Scholarship + Modest Pre-Festival Stipend
Reports To: Artistic Director & Festival Manager
Collaborates With: Production & Stage Coordinator, Festival Coordinator, Chamber Music Coordinator, Conductors, Student orchestra assistants
Position Overview
The Orchestra Personnel Coordinator & Librarian supports all orchestral operations of the festival, ensuring musicians and conductors have the music, personnel, and rehearsal conditions they need. This position includes pre-festival library preparation, followed by full festival responsibilities as an Arts Administrator.
This role is suited to students interested in orchestra administration, personnel management, music librarianship, or ensemble operations. The position develops practical experience in conductor communication, ensemble logistics, rehearsal preparation, and cross-departmental coordination in an international festival setting.
Pre-Festival Responsibilities
Pre-Festival Responsibilities (Internship Period: June 8 – June 12)
- Prepare and edit orchestra parts, including bowings, cuts, page turns, and formatting.
- Assemble, label, and organize music folders for distribution.
- Coordinate with conductors regarding markings and rehearsal needs.
- Assist the Festival Manager and Artistic Director with pre-festival orchestral planning and logistics.
Festival Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Personnel & Attendance
- Track orchestra attendance at all rehearsals and promptly report issues to the Artistic Director and Festival Manager.
- Serve as a primary liaison between orchestra musicians and festival leadership.
Rehearsal & Concert Preparation
- Create and distribute orchestra stage plots.
- Ensure all orchestra rehearsal spaces are properly set before each call time.
- Coordinate student workers supporting orchestra and basic chamber music set-ups (not scheduling or planning).
Library Management
- Distribute and collect all orchestra music during the festival.
- Maintain organized music libraries for all orchestral works performed.
Communication & Coordination
- Collaborate with the Production & Stage Coordinator for stage set-up needs.
- Work with the Festival Coordinator regarding scheduling needs for orchestra and chamber set-ups.
- Communicate closely with conductors throughout the festival.
Festival-wide Support
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- Assist, as requested, with airport transfers on festival arrival and departure dates.
- Help support the mid-festival transfer from Tábor to Prague, with attention to instrument and music logistics where appropriate.
Educational Benefits and Career Development
Education Benefits & Career Development
- Training in orchestra personnel operations, music librarianship, and rehearsal logistics.
- Experience interacting directly with professional conductors, coaches, and Czech venue teams.
- Practical insight into the workflow of professional orchestras and large-scale festival operations.
- Participation in career-building seminars led by festival faculty and guest artists.
- Invitation to attend all festival performances as part of their educational experience.
- Three full festival days off for rest and exploration.
- Ideal for future roles in orchestra management, library work, ensemble coordination, or performing arts administration.
Marketing and Social Media Coordinator
Festival Dates: June 15 – July 13, 2026
Compensation: Partial Tuition Scholarship
Reports To: Festival Manager & Classical Movements Marketing Team
Collaborates With: Program Operations & Guest Artist Liaison, Production & Stage Coordinator, Faculty, Guest Artists, Classical Movements Marketing Team
Design Platform: Canva (required)
Position Overview
The Marketing & Social Media Coordinator serves as the festival’s primary storyteller—capturing its energy, creativity, and daily life through photography and digital content. This role manages PSN-related social media content in collaboration with the Classical Movements Marketing Team, supports the creation of festival promotional materials, and helps shape how the festival is presented to audiences online.
This is an ideal position for students interested in arts marketing, content creation, social media strategy, or visual communications. The role offers hands-on creative experience, professional feedback, and meaningful involvement in festival branding and public engagement.
Festival Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Photography & Content Capture
- Serve as the festival photographer for rehearsals, masterclasses, workshops, chamber/orchestra events, student life, and behind-the-scenes activities.
- Do not capture opera performances (opera scenes or staged productions).
- Assist with setting up recordings for orchestra and chamber music performances as requested.
Social Media & Digital Content
- Create daily PSN-related content (photos, captions, stories, short videos) for platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and exploratory TikTok content.
- Provide all content to the Classical Movements Marketing Team for review, approval, and posting.
- Potentially receive expanded posting privileges based on demonstrated responsibility, professionalism, and skill.
Promotional & Design Work
- Use Canva to assist in creating posters, flyers, brochures, and printed programs for festival performances.
- Provide accurate credits and name spellings to the festival’s professional videographer.
- Assist the Classical Movements Marketing Team with drafting content for PSN-related email e-blasts.
Faculty & Student Engagement
- Coordinate interviews, media features, and marketing initiatives with faculty, students, and guest artists.
- Capture content that highlights the educational and cultural experiences of the festival.
Festival-wide Support
- Assist, as requested, with airport transfers on festival arrival and departure dates.
- Help support the mid-festival transfer from Tábor to Prague, including documentation and media needs when appropriate.
Educational Benefits and Career Development
Education Benefits & Career Development
- Real-world training in arts marketing, photography, social media strategy, and public communications.
- Close collaboration with a professional marketing department.
- Experience in Canva-based design, branding, visual storytelling, and digital engagement.
- Participation in career-development seminars led by PSN faculty and guest artists.
- Invitation to attend all festival performances as part of their educational experience (when not required for media coverage elsewhere).
- Three full festival days off for rest and personal time.
- Ideal preparation for future roles in arts marketing, communications, content creation, and festival media.