COSTUME MANAGER

City Theatre Company•Pittsburgh, PA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

City Theatre Company, Pittsburgh’s leading professional theater dedicated to new plays, seeks to hire a COSTUME MANAGER. The position is hourly, non-exempt, and full-time from August through May each season. The Costume Manager is an integral area head as well as lead craftsperson, managing workflow and part-time costume and wardrobe personnel for five subscription shows and City Theatre’s annual Young Playwright’s Festival. The position works closely with production management, artistic teams, stage management, cast members, and other administrative and production staff. City Theatre has a full-time production staff of nine (seven of whom are area heads); a roster of 8-12 part-time overhire artisans, technicians, and production assistants; and two resident stage managers.

Requirements

A commitment to the organization’s values, which include Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility; a willingness to engage in professional training and self-reflection related to the organization’s anti-racism commitments
Excellent communication, time management, and resource management skills; the ability to manage and effectively prioritize overlapping projects
Experience supervising and training costume and wardrobe staff
Enthusiasm for fostering both high quality work and a positive, supportive environment
A thorough knowledge of costume construction processes as well as experience purchasing and shopping for contemporary plays
Familiarity with specialty techniques such as dyeing, distressing, fabric painting, wig styling, and theatrical makeup.
Availability to work evening and weekend hours during tech rehearsals
Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a vehicle
Ability to safely move and transport costume containers and materials weighing up to approximately 40lbs
Ability to perform detailed costume work for extended periods, which may include standing, sitting, bending and other repetitive movements
Ability to safely access and organize costume inventory storage, which may include use of ladders

Responsibilities

Oversight of the costume shop’s daily operation and workflow
Maintenance of shop equipment and safety, costume inventory, and supply stocks
Manage show and supply budgets in coordination with production management
Processing of expense documentation and returns in a timely manner
Communication of shop practices and methodology with collaborators
Creation of plots, tracking documents, piece lists, and other costume show paperwork
Scheduling fittings and hair and nail appointments in coordination with stage management; supervising and, if necessary, leading fittings
Management of costume notes, maintenance, and laundering
Supporting the costume designer and wardrobe crew during technical rehearsals
Costume construction and alteration; costume purchasing/shopping and returns
Wig styling and maintenance
Makeup purchasing and ability to train actors and crew on the application of theatrical makeup
Coordination of rental pulls and returns
Hiring, training, and supervision of part-time costume shop assistants and wardrobe crew
Hiring and management of specialized artisans when projects require outside expertise
Building relationships with local theatre organizations and educational institutions in order to strengthen a sense of reciprocity and recruit talent
Foster a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive work environment