Costume Shop Manager

Metropolitan State University of Denver • Denver, CO

4d • $52,934 - $59,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Theatre and Dance at MSU Denver is seeking a Costume Shop Manager. The Costume Shop Manager is responsible for the daily operation, safety, organization, and management of the costume shop. These duties include completion of costume elements within production deadlines; supervision of all necessary production purchases; communication with the designer, director, stage management regarding costume details, fittings, cleaning, and maintenance/troubleshooting; supervision of strike; adherence to provided budgets; and following departmental guidelines on fittings and measurements. With the guidance of the Production Manager, the Costume Shop Manager is responsible for the supervision and safety of student, volunteer and paid costume shop staff, initiating student employee paperwork, time entry approval, supervision and termination of student employees within the university process. The manager is responsible for keeping the shop supplied with all appropriate materials and goods and maintaining general organization of the work and storage spaces. Further, the manager works with the Theatre Department Costume Faculty to develop and implement training for students; and utilizes summer months to complete costume stock and equipment inventories and equipment maintenance. MSU Denver aspires to create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In the Department of Theatre and Dance, we greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry, dialogue, and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.

Requirements

• BFA in Theatre, Costume Emphasis or a BA in Theatre or related degree
• Experience in a professional costume shop setting
• Experience in a theatrical patterning, cutting, construction, and costume crafts required
• Experience with costume materials including but not limited to fabrics, notions, and craft supplies
• Experience with and maintenance of machinery used in the costume industry including but not limited to industrial and domestic single and multi-needle sewing machines, steam irons, and cutting tools
• Experience with costume shop safety standards and the implementation of standards
• Ability to perform essential physical job functions
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to lift heavy costumes and fabrics up to 30 lbs
• Ability to work on ladders up to six feet high
• Ability to stand at the cutting table for extended periods
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of constituents
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite, Email, Costume Bible) and the ability to learn new systems, software, and tools

Nice To Haves

• MA or MFA, Costumes or related area
• Costume shop management experiences
• 1+ years in Theatrical and/or Dance University and College experience preferred
• Knowledge of wigs and makeup
• Experience working with a diverse student population
• Working knowledge of costume history

Responsibilities

• Oversee and participate in the completion of all costume elements for departmental productions to the Costume Designer and Director’s satisfaction and within production deadlines.
• Supervise the purchase of all necessary materials and supplies needed for each production.
• Coordinate all costume rental orders.
• Pattern, drape, cut and, construct costume pieces and accessories as needed to complete all costume elements by the production deadlines while supervising students and other shop staff.
• Act as a liaison with student stage management for measurements, costume fittings, and production notes.
• Manage and attend fittings as necessary for troubleshooting and production continuity.
• Train and support wardrobe crew on cleaning and maintenance of costumes during the run of the production; attend production meetings and dress rehearsals as requested by Costume Designer, Costume Director and/or Production Manager.
• Oversee costume strike after each production and ensure that all rental and stock costumes receive proper cleaning and are returned or restocked.
• Train student wardrobe head and crew to ensure the smooth transition of the costumes from costume shop to dress rehearsal and performance.
• Ensure adherence to the production and general costume shop budgets in a timely fashion.
• Track all production expenditures.
• Supervise, instruct, and insure a safe working environment for all students, volunteer and paid staff workers in the costume/wardrobe areas.
• Along with Costume Faculty, develop and implement training procedures in basic costume construction skills for all work-study, practicum, and lab students.
• Manage shop supplies, including stock fabrics, notions, and materials.
• Maintain shop safety, shop activities, shop equipment, production equipment, and storage areas, including repairs, maintenance, and replacements.
• Maintain and improve organization of storage for costumes, accessories, wigs, and other supplies.
• Review and update equipment inventories.
• Assist in coordinating costume shop use with two other institutions.
• Other duties assigned

Benefits

• The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees