Costume Shop Technician

About the Role

The Costume Shop Technician serves as the Cutter/Stitcher/Shop Assistant in the MSU Denver Department of Theatre and Dance costume shop, supporting the costume needs of 4 mainstage departmental theatre productions each academic year (generally one musical and one play per semester). This role collaborates with costume designers and coordinates with the Costume Shop Manager to realize finished costumes based on designer specifications, delivering completed costume elements in accordance with production deadlines.

The Costume Shop Technician plays a key role in maintaining a safe and inclusive working/learning environment for MSU Theatre students, adhering to departmental fitting and measurement practices and fostering a culture of body inclusivity and antiracism.

Responsibilities

• Work independently to complete cutting and construction of assigned costumes for each departmental theatre production according to designer specifications, research, and costume renderings.
• Create mock-ups as needed, perform pattern alterations, cut and sew garments (or instruct students on the cutting and sewing of garments), and ensure that costumes are finished to a high standard of quality.
• Work with the Costume Shop Manager to move all costume pieces through the cutting, build, fitting, and finishing phases, ensuring that all costumes are ready for stage by production deadlines.
• Conduct costume fittings on built, purchased, pulled, and rented costume elements as assigned by the Costume Shop Manager.
• Alter and finish built, purchased, pulled, and rented costume pieces based on fitting notes.
• Assign and oversee student labor in cutting, stitching, and other costume construction tasks, including teaching sewing and construction techniques while ensuring safe use of shop equipment and maintaining high quality standards.
• Ensure that all notes to be passed off are correctly marked and prepared, instruct students on specific techniques and procedures to successfully complete assigned notes.
• Maintain clear and effective communication in support of the build process, following up on fitting notes and dress rehearsal notes with the designer and Costume Shop Manager.
• Maintain safety practices and standards, train students on safety procedures, and ensure safe working practices are being followed by anyone working in the costume shop.
• Actively train and mentor students through frequent interaction that encourages and motivates them to succeed and conveys an enthusiasm for their learning.
• Create and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for students to learn in.
• Strictly adhere to departmental policies regarding necessary intimacy in costume fittings and measurement sessions. Work to create an inclusive environment centered on body neutrality and antiracism.
• Assist in tracking shop notions and supplies, informing Costume Shop Manager of restocking needs.
• Assist with organization, maintenance, and improvements needed within the costume shop and costume storage areas. Perform basic maintenance of sewing and pressing equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Theatre or related field OR four years of experience working in a professional/academic costume shop or fashion industry equivalent.
• Experience in a professional or academic costume shop setting.
• Knowledge of current practices, procedures, and standards of construction in professional performing arts costume shops.
• Demonstrated experience in theatrical costume construction.
• Experience with costume materials including but not limited to fabrics, notions, and craft supplies.
• Experience with the operation and maintenance of machinery used in the costume industry including but not limited to industrial and domestic single and multi-needle sewing machines, steam irons, and cutting tools; advanced hand and machine stitching skills.
• Experience with costume shop safety standards and the implementation of standards.
• Good interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Good organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Basic computer competency, to include utilizing spreadsheets and other digital costume paperwork.
• Ability to lift heavy costumes, fabrics, and storage bins up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to work on ladders up to six feet high.
• Ability to stand at the cutting table for extended periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive environment.
• Demonstrated experience in draping/patternmaking.
• Demonstrated experience leading a costume construction team.
• Experience with consent-based theatrical necessary intimacy practices and their application to costume fittings.
• Demonstrated experience with costume crafts.
• Experience with wigs and makeup.
• Working knowledge of costume history.

Pay

$22 per hour

Schedule

19 hours per week with the possibility of flexing hours and working up to 40 hours per week for a short period of time with Production Manager approval only. Work with Costume Shop Manager to schedule 19 hours of work during the standard Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional schedule adjustments are possible to accommodate production schedules, some evening and weekend work may be required.

Benefits

The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision, and dental insurance, a free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans, and access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. View a brief overview of benefits.

Application Materials

• A resume.
• A cover letter that addresses the requirements of the position, why you are interested in the opportunity, and how you see yourself aligning with the goals and mission of the department.
• A link to a portfolio (website or link to Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) demonstrating experience in costume construction and anything else demonstrating your qualifications for the position.
• Contact information (phone number and email address) for three references.