OPT Performer Jobs
Performer roles in the U.S. span theater, dance, live entertainment, and themed attractions. On OPT, you can work full-time in any qualifying performance position tied to your field of study. STEM OPT doesn't apply here, so your initial 12-month authorization window is what you're working with.
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Get Access To All JobsInvest in Your Future and Theirs: Full-time Milton S. Hershey Medical Center employees receive a 75% Penn State tuition discount for themselves and eligible dependents through the Grant-in-Aid program.
Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.00
Shift: Day
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30a-5:00p
Recruiter Contact: Hector Diaz at hdiaz1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- Bachelor's degree, Master's Equivalency (in progress or completed), or Master's degree (in progress or completed) from an AMTA (American Music Therapy) accredited institution required.
- Certification (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapy required.
- Three (3) months of related experience required.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
Invest in Your Future and Theirs: Full-time Milton S. Hershey Medical Center employees receive a 75% Penn State tuition discount for themselves and eligible dependents through the Grant-in-Aid program.
Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.00
Shift: Day
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30a-5:00p
Recruiter Contact: Hector Diaz at hdiaz1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- Bachelor's degree, Master's Equivalency (in progress or completed), or Master's degree (in progress or completed) from an AMTA (American Music Therapy) accredited institution required.
- Certification (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapy required.
- Three (3) months of related experience required.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
See all 101+ OPT Performer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Performer
Match your performance work to your degree
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your field of study. A musical theater graduate can work as a stage performer, but document how the role connects to your program if DSO questions arise.
Understand how gig work affects OPT compliance
Performers often work multiple short-term contracts. Each engagement still counts as valid OPT employment as long as it relates to your degree. Track every contract, employer name, and performance date for your records.
Report employer changes to your DSO promptly
Switching from one production company to another requires updating your SEVIS record. Notify your DSO within 10 days of any employer change to stay compliant and avoid jeopardizing your OPT authorization status.
Freelance and self-employment count as valid OPT work
Independent performer contracts, residencies, and self-produced shows qualify under OPT self-employment rules. Keep detailed documentation of your engagements, client agreements, and how each project relates to your degree field.
Watch the unemployment day limit closely
OPT allows a maximum of 90 unemployment days on post-completion authorization. Performance work is often seasonal, so track gaps between contracts carefully and prioritize lining up your next engagement before the current one ends.
Start your H-1B or O-1 planning before OPT expires
Performers with exceptional ability may qualify for the O-1B visa, which has no lottery. Begin gathering evidence of awards, critical recognition, and contracts well before your OPT window closes to avoid a status gap.
Performer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Performer jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, as long as the performance work is directly related to your field of study. A dance or theater graduate performing professionally qualifies. Roles in unrelated fields do not. Your DSO can confirm whether a specific position meets the requirement before you accept an offer.
Can I work as a freelance or contract performer on OPT?
Yes. OPT allows self-employment and independent contracting. You don't need a single full-time employer. What matters is that your work relates to your degree and that you're actively engaged, not sitting in a prolonged gap between contracts. Keep records of every project to document your employment history.
Where can I find Performer jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship and work authorization. Browsing Migrate Mate for Performer roles saves time because you're not manually screening out positions that won't work with your OPT status.
What visa options do Performers have after OPT expires?
The O-1B visa is the most common long-term path for performers. It's designed for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts and has no lottery or annual cap. The H-1B visa is also possible but requires a sponsoring employer and lottery selection. Performers with strong track records of critical recognition, awards, or major engagements are often competitive for O-1B.
Does seasonal or part-time performance work count toward OPT employment?
Part-time work of at least 20 hours per week counts as valid OPT employment. Seasonal contracts count too, but gaps between engagements accumulate toward your 90-day unemployment limit. If you're between productions or touring seasons, those days count unless you're actively employed in another qualifying role.