The Costumer: Customer Service - Theatre Associate

Role Overview

The Production & Theatre Associate is a full-time, seasonal role (onsite in Schenectady, NY) 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 answering all incoming calls and emails from directors and customers.

They will be responsible for following up on and proactively contacting directors to ensure all production information is complete prior to their costume ship date, 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 works closely with the Production and Costuming teams, ensuring directors’ requests are shared and communicated, ensuring scheduling conflicts are cleared, and, when necessary, jumping in to lend a hand to the Production and Theatre teams wherever needed to ensure that all costumes, merchandise, wigs, and accessories are ready for the show and ready to ship.

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.

Theatre Responsibilities

• Answer all incoming calls and promptly reply to all emails (same business day)

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

• Create accurate costume rental estimates.

• 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.

• Send thank you notes and follow-up emails to customers and directors.

• 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.

• 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 rental, 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: $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.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function or duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements and responsibilities are representative, but not exhaustive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

Language Skills:

Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace; bilingual skills a plus. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business information, including but not limited to Company policies and procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

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

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative, but not exhaustive, of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ambient room temperatures, lighting, and traditional equipment as found in a typical office/retail/supply room/warehouse inventory storage environment.

About The Costumer

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 providing theatre-quality costumes, wardrobe services, makeup, accessories, wigs, and props for thousands of productions annually.