Costume Shop Manager - School of Theatre and Dance

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Theatre and Dance at West Virginia University is seeking a Costume Shop Manager. This position is responsible for the safe operation of the School of Theatre & Dance’s costume shop and craft area. The manager will supervise students, maintain shop space and equipment, demonstrate costume and craft construction techniques, and supervise wardrobe inventory. They will also assist in theatrical costume cutting and construction, and maintain inventory budgets and schedules, ensuring a reasonable inventory of supplies and materials within budget constraints for daily operations.

Requirements

• BA or BFA (preferably in Theatre, especially with a theatre design/technology emphasis) or equivalent.
• A minimum of one (1) year of management/supervisory experience and/or assistant costume designer and stitching skills in an established theatrical costume environment.
• Any equivalent combination of related education/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Ability to clearly communicate knowledge and information about costume/craft construction to students, faculty, and staff in the safe use and proper orientation of equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge of all tools and equipment used in the theatrical costume shop including but not limited to industrial domestic sewing machines, overlock sergers, washer/dryer units and industrial steam irons.
• Knowledge of all products used in theatrical costume shop including but not limited to notions, fabric dyes, color removers, adhesives, and laundry/garment cleansing products.
• Knowledge of safety regulations regarding equipment and supplies used in the theatrical costume shop.
• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations used in maintaining costume shop budgets and schedules.
• Knowledge of standard forms for scheduling and budgeting as used in the theatrical costume industry.
• Demonstrate ability to read and interpret theatrical costume renderings and drawings for costume construction.
• Working knowledge, experience and training in craft, millinery, and dyeing techniques.
• Familiarity with Costume History as it applies to the structured organization of inventory and wardrobe maintenance.
• Working knowledge, experience and training in garment construction and in standard theatrical sewing techniques including: pattern drafting, cutting, sewing and fitting garments.
• Ability to stand at cutting tables and/or work at a sewing machine, or hot dye pot for extended periods of Time.
• Knowledge and ability to create, write and edit MS Office 360, and Excel documents.
• Additional skills in email communications expected and a general working knowledge of computers for daily reporting and online forms.

Nice To Haves

• MFA in Costuming or Costume Design or Costume Technology (or Theatre or related crafts).
• Supervision of GTA’s in the MFA Costume program is part of the position.

Responsibilities

• Assist faculty by maintaining the safe and efficient use of equipment (e.g. sewing machines, overlock machines, washer/dryer units, industrial steam irons) and facilities within the School of Theatre and Dance’s costume, craft and puppetry spaces including the maintenance of appropriate SDS files on all supplies.
• Report violations and make suggestions to the Costume Director, School Director, and/or Facilities Supervisor regarding improvements related to safe practices in the costume/craft areas including maintenance and repairs.
• Adhere to all safety precautions, regulations and advises all students in the safe use of equipment and materials.
• Inventories costume shop tools, supplies and materials, etc. and orders replacements as needed. Insures timely delivery and sequencing.
• Maintains the cleanliness of the shop throughout the semester with graduate students and shop faculty.
• Works with the maintenance of tools and costume, craft equipment. Performs minor repairs, installations and modifications of equipment.
• Meets with the School’s Costume Director and Faculty regarding the assignment of costume construction projects for students and the scheduling of activities related to projects and the general productions needs.
• Consults with the Costume Director about the costume shop work schedule, progress of assigned work, priorities, and deadlines. Communication of schedules will be done on a daily basis, verbally, in writing and/or email.
• Orders, records, and inventories all materials and supplies needed for production projects and supervises the on-going budget needs for each production, project and general season expense.
• Maintains a reasonable inventory of materials and supplies for normal shop operations.
• Reads costume renderings (designs) and specifications to help determine the type and methodology of process necessary for the construction of costumes, crafts, properties and accessories.
• Is the lead on the flow of alterations through the shop in conjunction with grad students and shop faculty.
• Assists with costume builds as needed.
• Assists in determining products and materials for craft projects and daily construction of crafts.
• Practices knowledge of standard alterations, costume and craft construction procedures including: patterning, cutting, sewing, painting, mask crafting and general finishing techniques.
• Assists the Costume Director in the supervision of the wardrobe maintenance for each production.
• Helps supervise students in methodology of proper wardrobe techniques and maintenance for all productions, and fittings per the Costume Director.
• Meets with students to schedule call times, repair of costumes, and closing night strike.
• Aids students in care and cleaning of garments for each production and appropriate return inventory.
• Responsible for dry cleaning drop off and pickup.
• Assists the Costume Director and Faculty in the supervision of maintaining and organizing the costume inventory/storage areas, auxiliary work areas, stage make-up rooms, and also helps coordinate costume rental/billing paperwork.
• Assists in the cutting, construction and fitting of costumes for the School of Theatre and Dance’s production following standard theatrical construction methods.
• Teach 1-3 Costume Lab sections each semester (THET 106 – 1 credit) each semester.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year
• A range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match
• Eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks.
• Wellness programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level