Sharing the advantage of experience
Speaking and Consulting
on Theatrical Design Development, Production,
and Performing Arts Administration
About
our company
Arts Advantage LLC is a professional speaking and consulting practice specializing in technical direction, production/design development, and performing arts management. The business exists to bridge the gap between academic theatre training and real‑world production practice through high‑impact talks, workshops, residencies, and consulting services. Our mission is to provide performing arts students, educators, emerging professionals, and administrators the advantage of insights gained through 40+ years of practical experience on the world stages.
The company serves colleges, universities, theatre conferences, and performing arts organizations across the United States, offering a unique blend of creative insight, operational expertise, and educational clarity.
Our Services
Speaking programs are custom tailored to the specific audience covering a range of topics including Grand Opera in repertory, production planning, design development, future season programing, union relations, etc.
Extended direct engagement with students, educators, or performing art administrators. Workshop programs are developed together with the client to maximize the experience.
Consultation subject and scope are developed together with the client to ensure the client is receiving the highest standard of service. Subjects of consultations could include among others, season programming, production planning, administration organization, and labor relations.
Who We Are
John is a 40 year veteran of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He joined the Met in 1986 with regional experience as a construction shop foreman, a stage manager, lighting designer and technical director. He began his career at the Met in the Met’s construction shop advancing to the position of Layout Carpenter, planning and assigning the work on the shop floor. During his ten years in the construction shop he was at the forefront of the Met’s transition to Computer Aided Drafting. In 1996 he accepted the position of Assistant Technical Director. He was promoted to Technical Director in 2008, Assistant Manager/Technical in 2010, and Assistant General Manager/Production in 2013. Under his leadership the Technical Department consolidated and has grown into the current Production Department, unifying stage and shop operations, the production development process and creating the Capital Project Program. In the course of his career at the Met John has been directly involved in the development of over 200 new opera productions. In addition to his experience at the Met John has worked professionally as a member of multiple entertainment labor unions, IATSE, United Scenic Artists, American Federation of Musicians, Actors Equity, AFTRA, and SAG. John holds a BA with a double major in Theater and Music from the Marymount College of Kansas and an MFA from the Catholic University of America. John has an extensive body of experience that makes him uniquely qualified to offer his expertise to the performing arts community on a wide range of topics.
Principal
Assistant General Manager, Production, Metropolitan Opera
John Sellars
Contact Us
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