Alterations Supervisor

Tuacahn Center For The Arts•Ivins, UT

About The Position

The Alterations Supervisor works closely with the Costume Aide Supervisor to help the Costume Shop Manager run the costume shop and bring costume designs to life on stage. During build seasons, the Supervisor leads the Alterations team, which custom-fits costume pieces to cast members. The role includes attending assigned fittings, pinning garments, ensuring fitting notes are accurate, preparing and directing work on notes, and helping ensure consistent alterations that meet shop standards. The Supervisor also supports and guides assistant leads and stitchers, helps manage the flow of notes, and may sew or complete notes as time allows or as needed during the off-season. Outside build season, the Supervisor helps the Costume Shop Manager and Costume Aide Supervisor keep the shop running, complete off-season tasks, and prepare for the next build. The position also supports training, documentation, inventory, shop organization, costume rentals, and daily maintenance. The Supervisor may run the shop with the Costume Aide Supervisor in the Manager’s absence and cross-trains on Costume Aide Supervisor duties.

Requirements

Google Suite skills, including Drive, Docs, and Sheets.
Demonstrated skill in custom fitting and pinning garments on others.
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with costume construction techniques, including tailoring, period construction techniques, and alterations.
Proficiency in sewing, including machine and hand-sewing techniques.
Knowledge of theatrical construction and quick-rigging techniques.
Organization and paperwork skills.
Good listening, collaboration, communication, teaching, and instructing skills.
Proficiency with shop equipment, including industrial and domestic sewing machines, multi-needle machines such as sergers and coverlocks, leather/walking-foot sewing machines, steam irons, and cutting tools.
Ability to teach machine tension and threading, sewing techniques, and alterations techniques.
Ability to collaborate with the costume team to complete assigned projects efficiently.
Ability to work positively and professionally with performers and staff while on campus.
Ability to listen, take instruction, and participate in a team to complete assigned tasks.
Ability to work outside in a desert climate; build facilities are indoors.
Ability to lift 20 lbs.
At least 3 years of professional garment fitting/construction experience.
At least 1 year of professional Costume Design Assistant experience.
At least 5 years of professional theatre, dance, or opera experience.
Adhere to and promote OSHA requirements and maintain a safe work environment.
Must have a car and valid driver license.

Nice To Haves

At least 5 years of professional garment fitting/construction experience.
At least 5 years of professional Costume Design Assistant experience.
Costume Shop Management or Assistant Management experience.
Draping and patterning skills.

Responsibilities

Attend assigned fittings, help pin garments, and understand the alterations required.
Help order shop supplies as needed.
Direct stitchers through fitting notes and help manage the flow of notes through the costume shop.
Help answer questions from contracted builders.
Create standards documents, instructions, training supplies, tasks, workflow guides, and other documentation to maintain consistent alterations and shop processes.
Ensure shows are prepped and ready for each season; help set up ready-to-fit racks, show racks, and shoe bins.
Help run training fittings at the start of the season.
Cross-train on Costume Aide Supervisor duties and assist or fill in when needed.
Run the shop with the Costume Aide Supervisor in the Manager’s absence.
Learn to complete accident reports and open the shop during tech when the Manager arrives late.
Help maintain inventory sheets and learn the inventory system; help reset inventory sheets between seasons.
Alert the Costume Shop Manager to unusual notes, notes requiring approval, and other issues.
Guide and instruct positions overseen in their duties.
Sew or complete notes as time allows and as needed during the off-season.
Help photograph costumes for archives and rentals.
Help reset and improve the costume shop between build seasons.
Help unpack and repack rented costumes and costume packages.
Clean and maintain all spaces daily.
Potentially attend an LA shopping trip, appropriate costume shop staff interviews, or performances during the run to help ensure quality.