Costume Director

The Costume Director is responsible for overseeing the Costume and Wardrobe Departments to produce world-class opera productions, both grand and intimate. This role ensures smooth daily operations of the shop and wardrobe facilities during the producing season. The Costume Director coordinates with the Designer to manage all costume items, including their purchase, construction, alteration, and maintenance for TAO productions. They support the artistic vision of the production, ensuring costumes are realized collaboratively, creatively, and within budget. Additionally, the Costume Director oversees the rental stock and rental program. This position reports to the Director of Production Planning and the Director of Production Operations.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Position responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following duties in addition to other duties as assigned.

Leadership and Teamwork:

Demonstrate leadership through teamwork, respect, accountability, inclusion, delegation, communication, and fostering a positive working environment. Actively promote a culture of job safety.

Inclusive Work Environment:

Ensure that all costume shop workspaces, including the shop floor, fittings, quick-change spaces, and other areas under the costume department’s purview, are inclusive and respectful for performers, designers, and staff.

Oversight and Hiring:

Oversee a staff of 6-10, including full-time seasonal, part-time, and over-hire positions. Manage union/non-union labor wardrobe show crews. Act as the liaison with Hair and Makeup teams and designers. Hire and recruit over-hires, staff positions, and other roles as needed for costume support.

Costume Production Management:

Schedule, coordinate, and supervise the fabrication and procurement of costumes for all productions. Collaborate with and guide costume designers to realize their designs within budget, time, and infrastructure constraints.

Project Management:

Time and multitasking management for successful oversight of many projects at once. Including overlapping production periods, build timelines, and season planning.

Financial Management:

Suggest scope adjustments, estimate project costs based on design information, participate in forecasting and cash flow for the department, track and project expenses (materials, labor, rentals, outsourcing), handle financial reconciliation, manage payroll, and supervise all costume shop labor within budget.

Communication and Collaboration:

Maintain strong communication and collaboration with stage management, directors, designers, and TAO staff.

Stock and Rental Management:

Manage existing stock and costume rental packages, consult on outgoing and incoming rental projects with the Production Team, and manage the costume rental supervisor.

Outsourcing Relationships:

Develop and source relationships with costume fabrication shops or individuals for potential outsourcing of costume fabrication.

Support TAO Activities:

Support all other activities of TAO requiring costume department involvement.

Perform other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

Management and Leadership Skills:

Demonstrated high level of management and leadership skills, including excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service abilities. Excellent time management skills.

Creative Collaboration:

Ability to creatively collaborate with a diverse range of designers and design processes, and willingness to adjust the production process to meet project needs. Understand and respect diverse perspectives, backgrounds, cultures, values, and viewpoints.

Body Diversity Awareness:

Understanding of body diversity and commitment to leading a body-positive costume shop.

Written Communication Skills:

Strong written communication skills, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word) or similar software, and the ability to learn new or updated software.

Organizational Skills:

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, ensuring efficient project execution according to schedule and deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Bachelor/Bachelor of Fine Arts and/or graduate degree in Costume Technology or Management, or equivalent work experience in a professional theatrical costume shop.

Experience:

At least ten (10) years of work experience in costume production and/or in a costume shop environment.

Technical Knowledge:

Strong knowledge of costume construction techniques and practices, design techniques, materials, and industry trends.

Availability:

Ability to work 6 days a week, including nights, weekends, holidays, and over 12 hours in a day as required by the production schedule.

Performing Arts Knowledge:

Working knowledge of the performing arts, including Opera, Theatre, and Dance.

Driver’s License:

Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

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