Stephanie Karr Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Illinois, United States

ManagementOversee and supervise all major performing ensembles within the Chicago Federation of Musicians (CFM) and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) - 200-300 union employees per season.Hire and supervise a staff of five direct reportsMusic Administration/OperationsNegotiate and administer commission agreementsAdminister media agreements for AGMA and CFM/AFMAdvise the Music Director and Chorus Master on all matters related to personnel with regard to the collective bargaining agreementsPrimary point person for interpretation of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs)Serve as the primary liaison for all guest conductors and choreographersFunction as an adjudicator on audition panels for the hiring and removal of all choristersOversee the assigning/rostering of all performing union members for all productions and special eventsOversee departmental communications with conductors, artistic teams, and production staff for season planning (score version, intermission, cuts, bande, instrumentation, etc).Labor RelationsServe as a key management representative in collective bargaining with AGMA and CFMSupport labor negotiations strategy development as needed by anticipating bargaining issues, identifying economic and non-economic terms, and contingency planningConstruct language for consideration and inclusion in CBAsCultivate relationships with union leadership, delegates and membersBudgeting & FinanceBuild and administer annual budgets for the Department of Music Administration, approx. $19M. Coordinate with artistic and technical departments and finance on schedules and productions; monitoring the allocation of forces and their budgetary impact.Build all payroll spreadsheets for union groups and train staff on proper usage for submission of accurate payroll data to the finance office inclusive of media information for radio, streaming, television, CD, etc.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

ManagementOversee and supervise all major performing ensembles within the Chicago Federation of Musicians (CFM) and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) - 200-300 union employees per season.Hire and supervise a staff of four direct reportsMusic Administration/OperationsAdvise the Music Director and Chorus Master on all matters related to personnel with regard to the collective bargaining agreementsServe as the primary liaison for all guest conductors and choreographersFunction as an adjudicator on audition panels for the hiring and removal of all choristersOversee the assigning/rostering of all performing union members for all productions and special eventsOversee departmental communications with conductors, artistic teams, and production staff for season planning (score version, intermission, cuts, bande, instrumentation, etc).Labor RelationsServe as a key management representative in collective bargaining with AGMA and CFMSupport labor negotiations strategy development as needed by anticipating bargaining issues, identifying economic and non-economic terms, and contingency planningConstruct language for consideration and inclusion in CBAsCultivate relationships with union leadership, delegates and membersBudgeting & FinanceAnalyze and research productions for season planning and submission of budgetary information to the VP of Operations for the Department of Music Administration budget -- roughly $19M. Coordinate with artistic and technical departments and finance on schedules and productions; monitoring the allocation of forces and their budgetary impact.Build all payroll spreadsheets for union groups and train staff on proper usage for submission of accurate payroll data to the finance office inclusive of media information for radio, streaming, television, CD, etc.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

ManagementOversee and supervise the chorus, orchestra, and dancers -- 200+ union employees per season.Hire and supervise a staff of four direct reportsMusic Administration/OperationsOffer and negotiate contracts to Orchestra, Choristers, Dancers and American Musical Theater Initiative (AMTI) EnsembleAdvise the senior management, music director, and chorus master on all contract related hiring, termination, and problem resolution in accordance with prevailing CBAsAttend rehearsals and resolve issues as they ariseProduce all season preparatory documents for distribution in collaboration with the Chorus Master, Music Director and Orchestra Personnel ManagerOversee all orchestra, chorus, and dance auditions for the Lyric mainstage as well as Ensemble auditions for the AMTIFunction as adjudicator for all chorus and dance auditionsInitiate, plan, and organize special projects involving the Lyric Opera Chorus, Orchestra and/or Ballet inclusive of budget planning and resource managementAdminister instrument insurance as well as maintenance, rental, and purchase of Lyric instrumentsLabor RelationsServe on management's negotiating committees for all AGMA and CFM negotiationsAct as the primary liaison to the Chorus, Orchestra, Ballet, and AMTI Ensemble union delegates and committees.Cultivate relationships with union leadership, delegates and membersBudgeting & FinanceAnalyze and research productions in order to provide critical forecasting details to the Music Administrator for roughly 80% of the Department of Music Administration's $17M budgetSupervise/review/finalize orchestra, chorus and ballet payrolls as well as administering all media payrolls for radio broadcasts

Chicago, Illinois, United States

ManagementOversee performing AGMA ensembles -- 50-150 union employees per season.Hire and supervise a staff of one direct reportMusic Administration/OperationsOffer and negotiate contracts for Choristers, Dancers and American Musical Theater Initiative (AMTI) EnsembleAdvise senior management, and chorus master on all contract related hiring, termination, and problem resolution in accordance with prevailing CBAsProduce all season preparatory documents for the orchestra, chorus, and dancers for distribution, in collaboration with the Chorus Master and Music AdministratorOversee all orchestra, chorus, and dance auditions for the Lyric mainstage as well as Ensemble auditions for the AMTIDesigned audition brochures and developed marketing materials to promote auditions locally and industry wideLabor RelationsServe on management's negotiating committees for all AGMA and CFM negotiationsAct as the primary liaison to the Chorus, Ballet, and AMTI Ensemble union delegates and committees.Cultivate relationships with union leadership, delegates and membersBudgeting & FinanceAnalyze and research productions in order to provide critical forecasting details to the Music Administrator for the chorus; roughly $4.9M

Chicago, Illinois, United States

ManagementManaged the Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus and Ballet (100+ artists)Music Administration/OperationsGenerate and track individual service contracts for the orchestra, chorus and dancersAdminister the chorus union agreement under the supervision of the Music AdministratorProduce all season preparatory documents for the chorus, and dancers for distribution, in collaboration with the Chorus Master and Music AdministratorCoordinate and proctor all chorus, and dance auditions for the Lyric mainstageProvide program materials to PR and Marketing as they pertain to the Chorus, Orchestra and BalletLabor RelationsMaintained a strong functional knowledge of all relevant union contracts Budget and FinanceAnalyzed and research previous, new and rental productions in order provide critical budgetary and forecasting details (forces, staging, contractual fees, etc) for the preparation $4.9M of the Department of Music Administration’s budgetVisa AdministrationResearch, collect, prepare, and submit all documentation required by the United States Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) to obtain work permits (categories O, P and H) for all foreign artists, directors, and designers contracted by Lyric Opera of Chicago.Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the United States Code (USC), as well using other resources such as the field adjudicator’s manual and appropriate policy manuals to ensure the successful acquisition of visa approvals (35+ per season)Coordinate with the Director of Operations, Artistic Administrator, Director of Production and Technical Director as appropriate, to ensure adequate monitoring and progress of all submitted I-129 petitionsCoordinate with immigration attorneys, as necessary to ensure Lyric Opera staffing and artist green card application requests

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Music Administration/OperationsGenerate and track individual service contracts for the orchestra, chorus and dancersDistribute and track all required new hire paperwork, inclusive of federal and state tax formsServe as the primary contact for the Regular, Core Supplementary, and Supplementary ChorusCoordinate casting requirements with the Chorus Master as well as the Artistic Administrator. Communicate all casting decisions with wardrobe and wigs/make-up departmentsTrack all chorus attendance and issued disciplinary letters as required by the CBACreate and distribute publicity material for all auditions including ads, flyers, and press releasesSchedule and monitor all chorus and dance auditions held on Lyric’s premises serving as the primary point of contact for 150-300 people per seasonVisa AdministrationResearch, collect, prepare, and submit all documentation required by the United States Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) to obtain work permits (categories O, P and H) for all foreign artists, directors, and designers contracted by Lyric Opera of Chicago.Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the United States Code (USC), as well using other resources such as the field adjudicator’s manual and appropriate policy manuals to ensure the successful acquisition of visa approvals (35+ per season)Coordinate with the Director of Operations, Artistic Administrator, Director of Production and Technical Director as appropriate, to ensure adequate monitoring and progress of all submitted I-129 petitionsCoordinate with immigration attorneys, as necessary to ensure Lyric Opera staffing and artist green card application requests

Analyzed timesheets and other time-keeping records and processed payrolls within the provisions of complex labor contracts (roughly 1,000 employees)Inputted data to appropriate spreadsheets, reviewed and calculated amounts, transmitted data to payroll service vendor, and proofed output and completed related checklists to ensure timely and accurate pay for company membersResponded to employee inquires regarding paychecks, working with appropriate internal department supervisors and/or external software service vendor to resolve issues and correct discrepancies in paychecks and related payroll systems/recordsExported payroll information to the general ledger and posted data to appropriate spreadsheets and the accounting systemAssisted with year-end W-2 tie-outs, payroll clearing corrections, annual accruals and audit projectsCoordinated fringe benefit deductions/payments and reporting, including wage garnishments, union dues, insurance and retirement benefits. Generated reports to calculate or verify accuracy or tax payments Provided verification of employment and pay-related matters in response to a variety of third-party information requestsAssisted in set-up/upgrade and maintenance of payroll software and related computer/manual record-keeping systems used in payroll

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As part of the completion of my graduate degree, I worked in Lyric Opera of Chicago's Rehearsal Department. This department is the provider of artist services for the company and duties included the care of all artists including, doctor's appointments, car service, housing adjustments, etc.; liaising with company members to make arrangements with artists for interviews, CD/poster signings, etc.; monitoring the attendance of all performers; and providing general support for the company with regard to the performers and productions.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Input payroll data into Excel spreadsheets and Ceridian payroll systemPerformed accounts payable data entry and accounting office filing tasks to assist in maintaining the currency and accuracy of the automated general ledger and related accounting recordsProvided clerical support for the department including journal entry input, unemployment insurance claims management, accounts payable invoice entry and check productionDistributed incoming invoices to the proper departments for coding and approval; produce weekly check runs, cut checks and prepare them for signing Assisted with general ledger account reconciliation and analyses, processing necessary correctionsDeveloped familiarity with union contracts including AGMA, IATSE, AFM, and USA contracts

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Performed accounts payable data entry and accounting office filing tasks to assist in maintaining the currency and accuracy of the automated general ledger and related accounting recordsProvided clerical support for the department including journal entry input, unemployment insurance claims management, accounts payable invoice entry and check productionDistributed incoming invoices to the proper departments for coding and approval; produce weekly check runs, cut checks and prepare them for signing

Chicago, Illinois, United States

The Chicago Bach Project:Advise the client on all union related questions and employment protocolCreate all contracting templates for chorus and accompanists for lawyer reviewContract all choristers and accompanists from contract offer and document production to collection of appropriate tax paper work and personal informationProduce and mange all payroll tracking records for the chorus and accompanistGenerate all payroll reports for the chorus and accompanist and submit to accounting for processingDevelop all rehearsal schedules in consultation with the conductor, chorus master, rehearsal venue and other local choruses to prevent conflict and ensure largest possible pool of attendeesOversee chorus auditions - establish project budget, hire all necessary personnel, identify/rent audition facilities and equipment, hire audition staff, maintain a close working relationship with facility managersCreate and execute marketing plan for chorus auditions - design and produce necessary print materials/flyers and disseminate information utilizing a network of performing arts organizations, industry publications, and social media outletsProduce and supply all program materials to marketing as they pertain to the Chorus Master, Chorus and accompanistsSupervise all chorus rehearsals in order to resolve all personnel or venue issues and assist the Chorus Master

Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States

Master Of Arts Management - Mam, Arts, Entertainment, And Media Management

Bachelor Of Music - Bm, Vocal Performance