Head of Wardrobe

University of Alberta•Edmonton, AB

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Drama seeks an individual for a Head of Wardrobe position. The Department of Drama offers both Professional and Liberal Arts programs centred on Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Alberta, a top four research institution. The department has a complete complement of vibrant BA, BFA, MA, MFA and PhD programs. This position reports to the Academic Department Manager for Productions and Operations in Fine Arts. The ADM oversees the Production and Operations team (ProdOps), which supports all three Fine Arts departments: Drama, Art & Design and Music. The Prod Ops office is a high-functioning, fast-paced team of dedicated professionals aimed at elevating the means of production in all spaces. The Head of Wardrobe is the primary wardrobe manager for productions in the Department of Drama in both the Timms Centre for the Arts and Fine Arts Building (FAB). The position supports student experience through the management and supervision of all costume details related to Drama's performances. The Head of Wardrobe oversees the whole costume shop team, the shop facilities, and specialty related-equipment. The successful candidate possesses a comprehensive background in theatrical costuming in parallel with the artistic and interpersonal skills which befit an institution which nurtures and challenges the next generation of theatrical theorists and practicing professionals. The Head of Wardrobe is responsible for the visual components and technical execution of costumes in the Studio Theatre season, the most outward facing events in Drama, showcasing our students’ work and faculty research. This position facilitates the artistic and production training of undergraduate and graduate students in Drama, and occasionally faculty research projects. Understanding that the Head of Wardrobe will work one-on-one with both seasoned and emerging professional costume designers, they will demonstrate a willingness to understand the variation in levels of expertise and experience. Mentorship and the ability to translate costume designs from the page to the stage requires a balanced approach; and a workplace which is open, professional and based on process is essential. The complex personal interactions which permeate the ideation and creation of theatrical costume requires sensitivity with actors’ physicality while also fulfilling an artistic goal. Not all costumes are built and this requires the ability to employ stock and purchased items when required. The department has a large stock of costumes, shoes, jewelry, etc. Guidance of emerging professionals requires a generosity of experience aligned with the ability to help the student understand reality and the exigencies of budgeted time, money, and facilities. This helps the student make informed choices and sharpens their ability to decide priorities within.

Requirements

Comprehensive background in theatrical costuming.
Artistic and interpersonal skills befitting an institution which nurtures and challenges the next generation of theatrical theorists and practicing professionals.
Willingness to understand the variation in levels of expertise and experience when working with costume designers.
Ability to translate costume designs from the page to the stage.
Sensitivity with actors’ physicality while fulfilling an artistic goal.
Ability to employ stock and purchased items when required.
Generosity of experience aligned with the ability to help students understand reality and the exigencies of budgeted time, money, and facilities.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with costume breakdown and dying techniques.

Responsibilities

Manage and supervise all costume details related to Drama's performances.
Oversee the whole costume shop team, the shop facilities, and specialty related-equipment.
Be responsible for the visual components and technical execution of costumes in the Studio Theatre season.
Facilitate the artistic and production training of undergraduate and graduate students in Drama, and occasionally faculty research projects.
Work one-on-one with both seasoned and emerging professional costume designers.
Translate costume designs from the page to the stage.
Employ stock and purchased items when required.
Undertake costume breakdown and dying as required.
Execute wigs, facial hair and makeup from time-to-time with oversight.
Guide emerging professionals to understand reality and the exigencies of budgeted time, money, and facilities, helping them make informed choices and decide priorities.