security specialist

ticket sales representative

stage manager

stage hand

dresser

Denver-Center-For-the-Performing-Arts

The saddest aspect of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts is the loss of true greatness. The organization is filled with some of the most wonderful and talented people on the planet. However, due to the massive egos of a few at the top the potential for others to contribute and participate and have an impact is reduced greatly. Therefore, the organization's true potential is never reached - not even close. The people promoted into positions of management go to those most likely to maintain the status of mediocrity and never "raise the bar" anywhere. In many cases failed or wanna be actors playing the part of manager. Talented, capable people leave constantly due to the lack of upward mobility and stifling pressure by management to crush creativity, ambition posing a threat to their reign. The above facts create integrity issues, cause the outbreak of witch hunts aided by a more than dutiful HR department, and fosters "no faith" in management, and an "every man for himself" atmosphere. A real life tragedy. Save the drama for the stage. Otherwise, a really unique, interesting, enjoyable, and great place to work. I Would still be there if possible.

I was brought in for a newly created position.  The on-boarding was not strong.  My immediate supervisor was focused on a large project.  In two months, I'd only had face time the total of 1.5 hours.  I ended up creating my own plan for integration instead of waiting for my superior to take action.

The team were all proficient in their roles however there was a general sense they didn't want/resented being managed.  Many had been there for 10+ years and had not experienced other businesses/cultures.  They were unfamiliar with the concept of managing up.  They knew what their tasks were and efficiently got them done however they were not in a place to grow professionally.  I often wondered how they'd been managed prior to my hire and was left with the feeling that their boss was fairly hands-off.

In the past 5 years, the organization had 4 CEOs.  This likely created a challenge for employees to reach buy-in.  While they may have been open in the past to any new direction a CEO was leading, with a revolving door of leadership I can see how employees had a "wait & see" approach.  The change management likely brought about fatigue.

The first thing I was impressed by at Denver Center for the Performing Arts was the way they believed in their employees.  They trusted employees to work the hours they agreed to without having to monitor every minute of your coming and going.   I was immediately offered a tour of all six of the theatres.  Within one week I was registered for a Momentum workshop to build interdepartmental relations.  My benefits were generous: 13 days of vacation and 13 days of sick leave, plus two personal days and all holidays including President's day.  As employees we were offered tickets to shows, either free or at a discount.  I appreciated weekly department meetings and quarterly all company meetings.  I was encouraged to attend workshops on how other departments operated or divesity, equity and inclusion training and I was allowed to attend during the work day.  My supervisor was invested in helping her employees reach their full potential.

I was brought onto the team to help film live shows and edit them into highlight videos for Denver Off-Center. My mentor was very helpful with giving me info on what style of videos they were looking for and encouraged me to come up with any ideas I might have for editing or filming videos. I had a blast filming the shows and enjoyed watching the final products come out onto YouTube.

I was given a lot of praise for how the videos turned out. Even after my internship contract was finished, they still hire me to help them film more shows on an independent contract bases from time to time.

Management is top heavy and not to be trusted.  People are disposable and the idea that positions can just be filled rules here. Positions shift and change with each new leader and in some departments that is a lot. Marketing, Development and HR were revolving doors for C level folks. Events was a strange arm of the company. Theatre division seemed to be the best with long standing employees. But I heard some crazy stories there too about nepotism, sexism and being under paid. 

My favorite job I’ve had in recent years! The wardrobe department (core & overhire) are lovely. The wardrobe supervisor is awesome. Since wardrobe is unionized, pay is great. As an overhire, benefits are good but could improve. I definitely feel that I have a clear path for upward mobility. However, the “big wigs” and higher ups make some questionable decisions oftentimes. There was a run that was promised to not be cut short to employees working it, that then did ultimately get cut short, which lost all employees working on that run 2 weeks of work. 

A typical day at work involves taking care of patron needs through in person and phone transactions
What you learned is how to use my exceptional customer service and sales background 
Management has an open door policy and it they are there to give guidance and support
My co-workers make it a great place to work
The most enjoyable part of the job is helping the patrons get the shows they would like to see

In a high-pressure leadership role, the environment was a relentless and soul-crushing gauntlet of impossible demands. The expectation to maintain an illusion of excellence for every single patron came at the complete and utter cost of a humane work-life balance. The duties were a crushing, ever-present burden that required constant, superhuman effort just to keep pace with the organization's insatiable and ever-shifting demands.

Major regional Theatre that hires/ utilizes theatre professionals. Ambitious seasonal offerings to the play going, musical theatre loving public. Highest standards of production. Very high bar .

The people, theaters, and productions are some of the best I’ve ever been introduced to. The opportunity to interact with people who appreciate the DCPA as much as I do every time I work was such a wonderful privilege and it opened so many doors for me as a young volunteer (though the majority of volunteers are retired).

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Security specialist 2 salaries reported	$21.25 per hour
Ticket sales representative 2 salaries reported	$19.68 per hour
Stage manager 1 salary reported	$19.29 per hour
Stage hand 1 salary reported	$23.34 per hour
Dresser 2 salaries reported	$24.55 per hour

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