Costume Department Manager

Position Designation: Full Time Salaried

Position Reports To: Production Manager

 

Position Purpose and Objectives

Under the broad supervision of the Production Manager, the Costume Coordinator is responsible for working with the Costume Designer to produce their artistic vision while remaining in budget, meeting established deadlines, and assuring the costumes meet the quality standards of Drury Lane Productions. The Costume Coordinator is responsible for collaborating with the Artistic Director and the Costume Designer; coordinating and facilitating costume purchases, rentals, and returns; facilitating and participating in costume fittings; working professionally with all production departments; and attending meetings for the production department and Drury Lane organization as needed.

 

Specific Job Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

1.       Facilitate costume pre-production process collaborating with Costume Designer to review designs and rentals to assure they can be accomplished within budgeted time and money.

2.      Scheduling and participating in the design review process with the Executive Producer, Production Manager, and Artistic Director. Working with the Costume Designer to address notes.

3.     Create and execute plans for designs, including creating timelines and plans for costume builds, fabric review and purchases, securing and returning rentals, stock pulls, and purchases.

4.     Send out costume builds to costume studios for bid, reviewing all bids, contracting all studios, working with the studios throughout the costume production process, and assuring all costumes arrive as designed and on time.

5.     Recruit and hire costume design assistants, including working to set up clear guidelines and responsibilities, assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and managing workflow and quality assurance on each task.

6.     Work with Stage Management to schedule all fittings. Participate in all fittings working with the Costume Designer to address production, design, and actor needs.

7.      Work with the Director and Stage Management to address questions and concerns, providing rehearsal pieces, and serve as the Designer’s representative when the Designer is not present.

8.     Attend at least one designer run through with the Costume Designer and addressing concerns and challenges with the Designer prior to transitioning into technical rehearsals.

9.     Work with Wardrobe and Wig Supervisors to review quick changes, address actor needs, and plan for technical rehearsals including providing a costume piece list and change list to the Wardrobe Supervisor prior to entering technical rehearsals and updating paperwork throughout the technical rehearsal and preview process.

10.   Attend technical rehearsals to work with the Costume Designer, Actors, and Wardrobe staff to assure costumes are functioning properly, service the design of the production, and prioritize notes from technical rehearsals, assuring the completion of notes by deadlines.

11.     Facilitate all understudy fittings and oversee notes from these fittings, assuring that all notes are completed, and understudy costumes are available by press opening.

12.    Manage the needs of the TYA production by gathering measurements, scheduling and participating in fittings, acquiring costumes, and ordering items needed.

13.    Create plans for the restocking of costumes and the cleaning, organization, and maintenance of the costume shop and costume storage.

14.    Facilitate special projects and requests for Drury Lane Producers as needed.

 

 

 

General Job Responsibilities

·       Arrive to work promptly and regularly

·       Accept direction and establish and maintain effective work relationships

·       Concentrate and perform accurately while working under the stress of deadlines

·       Collaborate effectively with a wide variety of personalities and situations requiring diplomacy, tact, friendliness, poise and firmness

·       Ability to work varied shifts, including some nights, weekends, and holidays

·       Present proof of eligibility to work in the United States

·      Reliable transportation required

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

1.       Directing workflow of others.

2.      Scheduling others to specific shifts and/or assigning their workload.

3.     Training others in their department and troubleshooting their work.

4.     Possessing the authority to hire or fire other employees (or make effective recommendations).

5.     Implementing theatre policies.

Direct Reports: Over hire costume design assistant, 0ver hire drapers & stitchers, Wardrobe Supervisor, Wig Supervisor, and Over hire Wardrobe/Wig staff

 

Experience and Knowledge Required

·       3-5 years’ experience as a Costume Designer, Asst./Associate Costume Designer, Costume Design Assistant/Associate, Asst. Costume Shop Manager, or Costume Shop Manager with the following skill set:

o   Strong and elevated design eye

o   Tracking and maintaining budgets

o   Creating and managing timelines while meeting established deadlines successfully

o   Solving problems effectively, efficiently, and creatively

·       Bachelor’s Degree Degree in Costume Technology and Design preferred.

·       Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications required.

o   Microsoft Access database experience preferred.

·       Effective communication skills (written, oral, and visual).

·       Familiarity with all aspects of theatre (production, technical, and performance).

·       Familiarity with costume design, construction practices, materials, and costume crafts required.

·       Proven abilities in time management, organization, and collaboration.

·       Ability to lift 45 lbs.

·       Ability to work long hours and work on a flexible schedule.

·       Must be comfortable with heights, including climbing ladders.