Costume Production & Theater Associate

Job Description

Job Description

The Costumer is a 108 year-old costume rental and retail business. We are committed to advancing scholastic theatre with its transformative benefits—enhancing communication skills, boosting self-confidence, encouraging resilience, enhancing social skills, and fostering empathy and critical thinking. We take pride in being the costumer for thousands of productions annually.

Job description

Position: Costume Production & Theatre Associate

• Do you know the names and costumes of every character in your favorite Broadway shows?

• Find yourself obsessing over the costumes and sets of your favorite movies and shows?

• And, can you talk and write all about it with anyone willing to listen or read?

You might be a perfect fit for The Costumer—and our Production & Theatre Associate role.

Role Description

The Production & Theatre Associate is a full-time role that will support and advance the work of two critically important teams—Theatre (where Directors share their vision and orders the costumes for their shows) and Production (where costumes are curated, altered, accessorized, and prepared for shipping).

The Production & Theatre Associate is primarily responsible for capturing all information about a requested show, including show name, format, dates, directors’ contact information and preferences, to ensure that internal teams can fulfill costume, merchandise, and service orders.

The Production & Theatre Associate is also responsible for writing descriptions of costumes, wigs, and accessories to be shipped to school and community theatres. These descriptions are used by the actors to identify their costumes and by our teams to track what we’ve sent to customers and what is returned to stock post-show.

The Production & Theatre Associate will also support the Production and Theatre teams by pitching in wherever needed to ensure that all costumes, merchandise, wigs, and accessories are ready for the show.

If you are passionate about ensuring the show will go on for thousands of actors nationwide—and delivering outstanding customer experiences, we invite you to apply today and become a part of our legacy at The Costumer.

Responsibilities

• Enter costume descriptions into computer systems to facilitate customer use and inventory management.

• Capture information from directors and business office representatives to complete contracts and provide information required by the Production & Theatre teams.

• Create, process, and manage show and customer files.

• Provide excellent customer service in person, online, and via phone.

• Coordinate with e-Commerce and retail teams to identify, order, and bundle merchandise with costume rentals.

• Process returned rental items and restock costumes into inventory and storage.

• Tag and label costumes, indicating show and size, detailing costume condition, required alterations, and costume location within rental and retail locations.

• Keep detailed sales, rental, and order records.

• Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, and costume checks.

• Learn to capably operate cash registers, computer software and equipment, and other systems and equipment with training.

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• 1-3 years experience working in a costume rental, customer service, or administrative role

• Excellent customer service and verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, sales prices, total purchases, etc.

• Ability to multitask and be well-organized while managing operational priorities and customer needs.

• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with a team.

• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.

• A love for theatre, performing arts, costuming, and/or Halloween!

• Proficient computer and cash register skills.

• Flexibility and willingness to enthusiastically work with constantly changing priorities.

• Ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels and from all backgrounds.

• Acute attention to detail and commitment to high standards.

• Bonus if you have experience or knowledge in theatre production or costume crafting.

Education

High school diploma required; one-year certificate or bachelor's or associates degree from college or technical school preferred.

Schedule: Full-time, flexible schedule to meet business needs, including some weekends during busy seasons (Feb-May and October-November)

Work Location: In person in Schenectady, NY

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Pay: Starting at $18.00/hour

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift a minimum of 30 pounds independently on an occasional to frequent basis.

• Ability to spend up to 100% of work time standing or moving about all areas with The Costumer’s facilities. Physical activities include but are not limited to bending, stooping, lifting, climbing, carrying, walking and/or reaching on a frequent basis.

• Employee may be required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear, use hands to type and utilize the tools provided.