Theatre Operations Staff
Step Into the Spotlight at the Medora Musical!
Imagine spending your summer in a historic Old West town surrounded by the dramatic buttes of the North Dakota Badlands, where every evening thousands of guests gather in a breathtaking open-air amphitheatre carved into the hillside. As Theatre Operations Staff with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, you’ll be part of the team that makes the legendary Burning Hills Amphitheatre and the world-famous Medora Musical run like clockwork.
This is more than a summer job – it’s a front-row seat to one of America’s most unique attractions, and a chance to build real hospitality and event-operations experience that looks fantastic on any CV.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Welcoming guests, scanning tickets and helping visitors find their seats in the amphitheatre
- Operating and assisting with the escalator, gondola and guest transportation systems
- Keeping the theatre, seating areas, walkways and restrooms clean, safe and show-ready
- Answering questions about show times, seating, attractions and the Medora area
- Supporting merchandise and concession areas during busy pre-show and intermission periods
- Assisting with crowd flow, ushering and guest safety before, during and after performances
- Helping with set-up and tear-down for events and daily show preparation
Why Medora, North Dakota?
Medora is a tiny frontier town with an enormous personality – population under 150 in winter, but a magnet for over 300,000 visitors each summer. It sits right at the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where wild bison, prairie dogs and wild horses roam free across painted canyons and rolling grasslands.
On your days off you can hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail, ride horseback through the Badlands, catch a legendary Pitchfork Steak Fondue at sunset, watch spectacular stargazing skies with almost zero light pollution, and explore the history of Theodore Roosevelt’s ranching years. Many participants say Medora is the most beautiful and unexpected place they’ve ever lived.
Pay & Benefits
- $15.00 per hour – a strong wage for a low-cost rural community
- 35 hours per week guaranteed, with opportunities for additional hours during peak periods
- Employer-supported housing options available in or near Medora
- Free or discounted admission to the Medora Musical and other Foundation attractions
- Employee discounts on food and merchandise
- Staff events, cookouts and organised trips with an international team
- Seasonal completion incentives and letters of recommendation for strong performers
Who We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 with valid J-1 Work & Travel USA sponsorship
- Conversational to good English – you’ll interact with guests daily
- A friendly, outgoing personality and genuine enthusiasm for customer service
- Ability to work outdoors in variable weather, stand for long periods and walk stairs/hillside terrain
- Flexibility for evening, weekend and holiday shifts – the show must go on!
- Team players who are reliable, punctual and ready for an adventure in a small, remote town
Program Dates
This position runs from summer through fall, making it ideal for students with later university start dates or those who want to experience the golden autumn colours of the Badlands. Please note: this role does not include tips.
Ready to make your American summer unforgettable? Positions in Medora fill quickly – apply today and spend your season where the Wild West meets show business.
About North Dakota
North Dakota offers wide prairies, badlands and a genuine slice of small-town America. Students work in resorts, hotels and attractions in a quiet, friendly and affordable summer setting.
