Costume Designer/ Department Lead
JOB TITLE: Costume Designer/ Department Lead
LOCATION: Springfield, MO
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:Full-Time
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
COMPANY DESCRIPTION: Springfield Little Theatre is a community-focused organization dedicated to providing exceptional theatrical experiences and educational opportunities.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT: Springfield Little Theatre provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or military status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws (collectively, “protected characteristics”).
JOB SUMMARY: Springfield Little Theatre is seeking a talented and experienced Costume Designer/Department Lead to manage our costume shop and oversee the design, creation, and coordination of costumes for our professional-quality mainstage performance season.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Costume Design: Design costumes, hair, and makeup for all mainstage productions, collaborating closely with directors and other creative team members to ensure cohesive and impactful visual storytelling
- Costume Creation: Oversee and participate in the construction, fitting, and alteration of costumes, ensuring high quality craftmanship and attention to detail
- Management: Manage the costume shop, including supervising staff, volunteers, and interns. Coordinate work schedules, assign tasks, and provide guidance and mentorship.
- Budgeting: Manage the costume department budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources while ensuring high production standards.
- Coordination: Work with other departments to ensure seamless integration of costume elements with other production aspects such as lighting, set design, and choreography.
- Inventory and Shop Management: Maintain a clean and organized costume shop and inventory, ensuring proper storage, repair, and cataloging of costume pieces.
- Procurement: Source and purchase materials, fabrics, and accessories, as needed.
- Fittings and Alterations: Conduct fittings with cast members, making necessary adjustments to ensure proper fit and comfort.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Proven experience in costume design and construction, preferably in a theatre setting
- Excellent organizational and time management abilities
- Proficiency in sewing and garment construction
- Creative vision and eye for detail
- Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with a diverse team
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure
WORKFLOW RECCOMENDATIONS FOR PREDECESSOR:
- Read through the script and note any mentioned/perceived costume needs
- Research the show/costumes/time period to know what will be expected of the show
- Meet with directors to discuss the show and its costume, hair, and makeup needs
- Create costume plot for the show
- Take measurements of the cast members and input them into a master chart
- Research the show/costumes/time period to know what will be expected of the show
- Look through costume stock to find pieces/garments to use
- Shop locally and online for garments/accessories/materials/supplies
- Design and create original costume pieces/garments when necessary
- Select styles for wigs and communicate with wig creator
- Keep costumes organized and grouped together by actor while working on each show
- Communicate with the cast to schedule fittings
- Have fittings with every cast member for all costume pieces
- Alter/edit costumes after fittings and during tech week
- Transport costumes from the costume shop to the theatre
- Attend dress tech/rehearsals to watch for anything that needs to be fixed or changed
- Keep track of each show’s spending/budget and turn in all receipts
- Communicate instructions for strike to cast members and volunteers, and participate in strike
- Pick up costumes from the dry cleaners
- Restock costumes after use
- Keep the costume shop clean and organized
- Manage projects with volunteers and other costume staff
- Attend production meetings
- Attend weekly staff meetings
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and work samples to bethd@springfieldlittletheatre.org.
Costume Associate
JOB TITLE: Costume Associate
LOCATION: Springfield, MO
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:Full-Time
REPORTS TO: Costume Designer/ Department Lead
COMPANY DESCRIPTION: Springfield Little Theatre is a community-focused organization dedicated to providing exceptional theatrical experiences and educational opportunities.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT: Springfield Little Theatre provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or military status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws (collectively, “protected characteristics”).
JOB SUMMARY: Springfield Little Theatre is seeking a talented Costume Associate to support the operations of our costume shop, and the design, creation, and coordination of costumes and costume volunteers for our professional-quality mainstage performance season.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Costume Design: Collaborate with the Costume Designer/Department Lead in designing costumes, hair, and makeup for all mainstage productions, collaborating closely with directors and other creative team members to ensure cohesive and impactful visual storytelling
- Costume Creation: Collaborate with the Costume Designer/Department Lead in overseeing and participating in the construction, fitting, and alteration of costumes, ensuring high quality craftmanship and attention to detail
- Management: Manage costume volunteers, and interns, coordinating availability, assigning tasks, and providing guidance and mentorship.
- Budgeting: Collaborate with the Costume Designer/Department Lead in managing the costume department budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources while ensuring high production standards.
- Coordination: Collaborate with the Costume Designer/Department Lead in working with other departments to ensure seamless integration of costume elements with other production aspects such as lighting, set design, and choreography.
- Inventory and Shop Management: Contribute to a clean and organized costume shop and inventory, ensuring proper storage, repair, and cataloging of costume pieces.
- Procurement: Assist the Costume Designer/Department Lead in sourcing and purchasing materials, fabrics, and accessories, as needed.
- Fittings and Alterations: Assist the Costume Designer/Department Lead in conducting fittings with cast members, making necessary adjustments to ensure proper fit and comfort.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Proven experience in costume design and construction, preferably in a theatre setting
- Excellent organizational and time management abilities
- Proficiency in sewing and garment construction
- Creative vision and eye for detail
- Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with a diverse team
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure
WORKFLOW RECCOMENDATIONS FOR PREDECESSOR:
- Read through the script and note any mentioned/perceived costume needs
- Research the show/costumes/time period to know what will be expected of the show
- Meet with directors to discuss the show and its costume, hair, and makeup needs
- Assist the Costume Designer/Department Lead in the creation of a costume plot for the show
- Take measurements of the cast members and input them into a master chart
- Research the show/costumes/time period to know what will be expected of the show
- Look through costume stock to find pieces/garments to use
- Shop locally and online for garments/accessories/materials/supplies
- Design and create original costume pieces/garments when necessary
- Select styles for wigs and communicate with wig creator
- Keep costumes organized and grouped together by actor while working on each show
- Communicate with the cast to schedule fittings
- Have fittings with every cast member for all costume pieces
- Communicate with each cast regarding shoe/undergarments/makeup needs
- Alter/edit costumes after fittings and during tech week
- Rig costumes for quick changes
- Transport costumes from the costume shop to the theatre
- Attend dress tech/rehearsals to watch for anything that needs to be fixed or changed
- Keep track of each show’s spending/budget and turn in all receipts
- Communicate instructions for strike to cast members and volunteers, and participate in strike
- Pick up costumes from the dry cleaners
- Restock costumes after use
- Keep the costume shop clean and organized
- Manage projects with volunteers and other costume staff/put together detailed costume project packets for volunteers to take home
- Organize and supervise volunteer calls and project work days/nights
- Track volunteer hours for recognition
- Maintain volunteer contacts
- Manage a volunteer facebook page
- Attend production meetings
- Attend weekly staff meetings
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and work samples to bethd@springfieldlittletheatre.org.
