Same Old after many years - Administration Sarasota Opera Employee Review

1.0
Jun 8, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Some very nice overworked staff and volunteers, great location and fairly well regarded as a verdi production house. Staff wise new faces to get to know all the time.

Cons

About a 30% turn over each year I have seen so many come and go over the last 4 years - promised a lot but the reality is very different (good staff leave or are fired - yes fired they make the others look bad so they have to go - it gets old and its hard on the patrons with so much turnover). Very long hours - 17 plus hour days in season and serious staff burnout working all day and then standing around until midnight (that's 4 months of your year for very little money but hey thank you we couldn't do it without you). Inner circle gets to come in at 10.30 am and leave early - for the rest its grind with management that really can't quite get it together, alliances and back stabbing- constant counter marching, finger pointing and no ownership of decisions and ambitious goals without the know how to get there. Outward face is smiles and thank you's but serious internal issues and bad mouthing of board, donors etc and if you are not part of the inner circle then watch out - such a shame it could be better. If you are thinking about working here run for the hills.

Explore other reviews about Sarasota Opera

5.0
May 15, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Very gracious and friendly core staff, delightful performers, lovely location.

Cons

Building is old, so the workspace can be a bit crowded.

1.0
Jun 24, 2024
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Learning about the field, and HANDS ON work. It leads you to learning quite a bit since you have 0 support. People will be impressed that you withstood it

Cons

At the Sarasota Opera, I encountered a glaring lack of effective leadership, focused more on appeasing the egos of a select few than on fostering a productive environment. The organizational culture seemed entrenched in outdated practices, with little regard for merit or innovation, nor progress and advancement. Complaints about mistreatment and the incompetency of others fell on deaf ears, perpetuating a sense of helplessness among those at the Opera. Despite delivering quality work, poor culture and mistreatment of many continued, failing to match the level of dedication and effort put forth from many. The company's 'efforts' to make opera more accessible fall flat, as decisions often hinder rather than facilitate newcomers' appreciation of the art form. Overall, the Sarasota Opera epitomizes elitism within the opera, reinforcing stereotypes and barriers that alienate potential audiences, also deeply affecting those who work there. Working at the opera proved to be a disheartening experience, marked by frustration and disillusionment rather than professional growth and fulfillment. Truly, DO NOT work here.

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