Costume Shop Manager

Theatre Overview
As one of the country’s largest ensemble theatres dedicated to the creation of new work, Lookingglass Theatre Company seeks to redefine the theatrical experience and to make theatre more exhilarating, inspirational, and accessible to all. Founded in 1988 by a group of Northwestern University theatre graduates, Lookingglass moved into its permanent home in the historic Water Tower Water Works on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue in 2003. Now in its 37th Season, the Company is a respected source for story-centered theatrical work that is evocative, physical, and visually rich.

With a roster of 33 Ensemble Members and 17 Artistic Associates, Lookingglass productions are centered on ensemble with training in theatre, dance, music, and circus arts. Through its powerful, original theatre, the Company’s goal is to fire the imagination with love, to celebrate the human capacity to taste and smell, weep and laugh, create and destroy, and wake up where we first fell— changed, charged, and empowered.

At Lookingglass we believe that the quality of work on our stage is inseparable from the health and happiness of the people who make it happen. In pursuit of more sustainable ways of working and life-work balance for all our production participants, we have implemented the following: a 5-day rehearsal week (6 days during tech/previews); a 7 out of 8.5 hour span of rehearsal day during tech; and robust coverage of roles by understudies, crew covers, and assistants so that if and when someone needs to step away from the process to take care of themselves, they can do so without guilt or fear.

Position Summary
The Costume Shop Manager is a member of the production team and reports to the Costume Director. The process of costuming a performer is inherently intimate, and the Costume Shop Manager will promote a welcoming and safe space that protects this intimacy and promotes body neutrality. As a member of the Costume Department, the Costume Shop Manager will collaborate with Lookingglass Production staff and contracted personnel to ensure all costume elements of the show are brought to completion in a safe and efficient manner. The Costume Shop Manager will assist in shepherding a production process focused on supportive, sustainable, and anti-racist practices.

Duties

• Alter and construct costumes to industry standards as instructed by Costume Director in line with the Costume Designer’s vision.
• Delegate costume alterations and builds a team of 2 stitchers.
• Drape and pattern pieces for in-house builds.
• Attend technical rehearsals and preview performances as assigned.
• Supervise stitchers and other costume personnel, including morning work calls during the tech and preview period.
• Assist in actors’ fittings with the Costume Director, Costume Design Assistant, and Costume Designer as assigned by taking notes on alterations and shopping needs.
• Communicate shopping needs to Design Assistant and Costume Director.
• Maintain a clean and orderly Costume Shop and popup costume shop at the theatre.
• Use Google Drive to access and edit fitting notes, photos, and tech notes.
• Assist in returns and receipt organization as needed.
• Purchase shop supplies as needed.
• Participate in organization-wide anti-racism work and incorporate an anti-racist lens into daily practice. Lookingglass recognizes that it has much to do towards being an anti-racist and more equitable institution. We believe that our work and our lives are infinitely more complex, rewarding, illuminating, and nearer to truth when we have a wider variety of human experiences in our room, at our table, and on our stage. This work, by the Board, Ensemble, and staff, is ongoing.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in professional and/or collegiate theatre in the costume department or similar field.
• Intermediate management experience directing a team of 2-4 stitchers on costume alterations.
• Advanced knowledge in theatrical sewing and altering to industry standards.
• Advanced experience operating domestic and industrial sewing machines and sergers.
• Intermediate experience troubleshooting errors on sewing machines and sergers.
• Experience in pattern manipulation, draping and pattern drafting.
• Intermediate experience with fittings and pinning alterations on a person’s body.
• Intermediate experience sewing stretch material like Lycra or knits, as well as more delicate, slippery materials like chiffon, georgette, and silk.
• Experience with unique theatrical alterations: rigging for harness wear, rigging for quick changes, inserting stretch panels for circus garments, etc.
• Tolerance for exposure to metals, common laundry detergents, and materials like wool or latex.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to move and transport costumes weighing up to 20 lbs unassisted.

Key Dates

White Rooster
Anticipated Start Date: Wednesday January 28th 2026
First Rehearsal: Tuesday February 3, 2026
First Tech: Tuesday February 24, 2026
First Preview: Thursday March 5, 2026
Press Opening: Saturday March 14, 2026
Closing: Sunday April 26, 2026

Untitled Vampire Play
First Rehearsal: Tuesday May 5, 2026
First Tech: Tuesday May 26, 2026
First Preview: Thursday June 4, 2026
Press Opening: Saturday June 13, 2026
Closing: Sunday July 26, 2026

Compensation
This position is paid $26.25/hour (gross) for up to an expected 280 straight-time hours and up to 15 OT hours for a max total of $7,940.63 (gross) per show. We anticipate overtime may be necessary for this position during the production process, primarily during the tech/preview period. The Costume Shop Manager will work with the Costume Director to minimize the need for OT wherever possible, and to keep Costume Shop Manager’s gross pay within the max total outlined above, inclusive of OT pay. OT begins after 40 hours/week and is paid at time and a half.

Benefits
Chicago Paid Sick Leave ordinance: Any employee who works at least 80 hours for an employer in Chicago within any 120-day period is covered by the ordinance and eligible. For every 35 hours worked, employee will accrue one (1) hour of paid sick leave