Costume Shop Manager

Position Summary To support the Department of Theatre and Dance and its production season. Plan, oversee, and implement the construction of costume design work for a large Theatre and Dance Department with a significant season of 8(+/-) main productions per year. Serve as a team leader in executing the designs of faculty, student, and guest costume and makeup designers for all productions, including dance concerts. Supervise, train, and assist paid student workers and laboratory students in the costume shop on sewing, pattern-making, draping, wig styling, makeup techniques, crafts, dyeing, and wardrobe skills to execute designs. In consultation with the Artistic Director and Department Chair, manages production schedules and budgets for the costume area. Manages, maintains, and inventories wardrobe storage. Supervises and maintains a costume shop and two dressing rooms. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Theatre with a focus on costumes and/or a professional theatre experience. Minimum 3 years relevant experience required, and significant supervisor experience is preferred. Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of the performing arts and specific knowledge of costume construction with advanced sewing skills. Ability to determine fiscal needs, evaluate projects, and propose solutions for costume aspects of the department’s production program. Ability to work effectively with individuals at varying levels of costume experience and to direct and instruct student employees’ work. Must know costume crafts, makeup, wardrobe, patterning, and period construction techniques. Must be familiar with the protocol observed in costume shops in professional theaters. Must have skill in maintaining schedules and budgets for costume construction. Ability to use computer software applications and email programs including skills in use of spreadsheets and/or other budgeting accountability and to facilitate communication across production teams. Supervisory experience, especially supervision of student workers is desired. Must have exceptional organizational skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to foster a positive and collaborative work environment that supports faculty, students, and the directors of the productions. Responsibilities Develops costume construction plans for the mainstage season, working closely and collegially with the Artistic Director, Costume Designer, Director, Choreographer, and production teams for a large Theatre & Dance production program of 8 (+/-) shows. Leads the construction of costumes to ensure that the final product accurately reflects the designer’s and director’s intentions and that costumes are constructed safely and effectively. Guides students through costume construction methods in keeping with standards in professional theater and ensures that costumes are constructed within budgetary limits and deadlines. Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates up to 10 student employees in the costume shop, who build costumes for departmental productions. Supervises 40-50 students per semester who work in the costume shop and on wardrobe crews as a part of laboratory requirements for technical theatre classes. Coaches students through the safe use of equipment and professional construction techniques. Acts as Foreperson, head cutter, and stitcher. Ensures the safety and security of the shop and the students. Meets with the costume design faculty to determine optimal solutions to execute designs. Authorizes and initiates the procurement of Costume Shop equipment and supplies. In consultation with the Artistic Director, prepares and manages show budgets for costumes and ensures budgets are not exceeded, are updated in a timely fashion, and can be reported as requested in spreadsheet format. Provides technical support related to costumes for the department. Ensures that all equipment and supplies are maintained for use in class and for productions. Responsible for inventory of wardrobe stock and ensuring the condition of the stock. Establishes and maintains a system for ensuring that costumes are borrowed and returned to stock for student and guest productions. Attends design and production meetings, dress and technical rehearsals, as necessary and determined by the Artistic Director. During summer, executes shop cleaning, restocking, and equipment maintenance, and develops construction, staffing, and budgeting plans for the next academic year. Additional Details Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements. Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check. Some evening and weekend work is required. Must be physically able to lift/carry boxes &or equipment used in a standard costume shop. Employee Tuition Assistance Program ( ETAP ) Equal Opportunity Employer The College of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of sex, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, and other classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please visit eop.cofc.edu . #J-18808-Ljbffr