Assistant Costume Shop Manager

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Posting Number: 20244193S

Position Title: Assistant Costume Shop Manager

Position Type: Staff

Location: Villanova, PA

Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants

Work Schedule: part-time/10-months

Avg Hours Week: 20

Position Summary: Under the supervision of Villanova Theatre Department’s (VTD) Costume Shop Manager, the Assistant Costume Shop Manager assists with the technical theatre elements related to costumes, hair/makeup, wigs, and all elements of costume design for VTD productions. The primary responsibility of the Assistant Costume Shop Manager is to supervise the day-to-day operations of the costume shop. Responsibilities include leading in the construction and fitting of costumes according to the Costume Design, assisting in the pulling and renting of costume pieces, and assisting in the cleaning, organizing, and storing of all costume pieces. This individual will provide training and guidance to student workers and foster and maintain a safe and healthy work environment. Additionally, the Assistant Costume Shop Manager will serve as costume coordinator for all Villanova Student Theatre (VST) and Villanova Student Musical Theatre (VSMT) performative events, supervising the pulling of costumes, costume fittings and alterations, load-in, and strike of these productions. The Assistant Costume Shop Manager is also responsible for the organization of Villanova Theatre’s costume stock and any rentals of costume pieces.

The ideal individual will have a strong drive to provide high-quality work, the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, strong written and verbal communication, organizational skills, and the ability to work as part of the team which includes student populations. Flexible work schedule required (i.e. occasional evening and weekend work).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the Costume Build Process for Villanova Theatre Productions:
  • Create patterns for all costumes pieces that will be built in the shop.
  • Utilize student workforce as first hands and stitchers.
  • Assist Costume Shop Manager and Costume Designer in scheduling and managing fittings including setting up fitting room and taking/distributing fitting notes.
  • Train and schedule work study and graduate student first hands and stitchers.
  • Communicate with student design assistants regarding scheduling of fittings, fabric and shopping orders, yardages and notions needed per project and professional practices.
• Lead Technical Coordinator/Costume Shop Supervisor for Student co-curricular groups:
  • Supervise any fittings, alterations, or builds for Villanova Student Theatre (VST) and Villanova Student Musical Theatre (VSMT) productions.
  • Assist costume shop manager in purchasing, tracking budgets, gathering receipts, and handling returns of all purchased costume elements for these groups.
  • Advise student costume designers on design elements, schedules, and budgets for VST and VSMT productions.
  • Arrange trips to Villanova Theatre’s costume stock with student designers.
  • Attend student group production meetings, design runs, and technical rehearsals as required.
• Organization and Oversight of Villanova Theatre Costume Stock:
  • Assist costume shop manager with organization of costume stock.
  • Serve as primary point person for outside rentals from costume stock.
  • Serve as primary point person for costume donations.
• Attend Villanova Theatre Events when Requested:
  • Events could include show-specific events such as design runs, technical rehearsals, or production meetings.
  • They could also include full department events such as meet and greets, orientations, or other full-staff events.
  • Event attendance will be discussed with the Costume Shop Manager and Production Manager.
• Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned:
  • Duties could include fulfilling rehearsal requests (rehearsal clothing, shoes, etc.), assisting with wig or makeup items, or assisting with the wardrobe team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Formal Education: Associates Degree, preferably in theatre design or technology or fashion.
• Work Experience: 2-3 years of experience in costume construction, shop management, or as a shop technician.
• Work Skills: Ability to work with individuals of all experience levels. Experience teaching and mentoring students. Strong verbal communication skills. Strong organizational skills and ability to help maintain an inventory of costume shop equipment.
• Specific Job Knowledge: Proficiency in costume construction and alteration techniques. Proficiency in draping and pattern making. Knowledge of costume crafts, millinery, fabric dying. Basic knowledge of purchasing and accounting.
• Equipment Knowledge: Operative knowledge of all types of home and industrial sewing machines, overlock machines, and industrial irons.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Formal Education: BA or BS in Theatre or fashion with an emphasis in costume construction.
• Work Experience: 3-5 years of experience in costume construction, shop management, or working as a shop technician.
• Work Skills: Teaching experience a plus.
• Specific Job Knowledge: Costume design experience a plus. Wardrobe experience a plus. Experience with costume fittings and interacting with actors a plus.
• Equipment Knowledge: Experience with 3D Printers a plus. Experience with wigs or hair/makeup a plus.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:

• Equipment used: Sewing machines (homemaker and industrial), overlock machines, steam irons, steamers, fabric scissors.
• Daytime work hours (primary), nights and weekends as assigned.
• Must be able: to lift and physically move up to 30 lbs. bags of clothing, stand for 5-7 hours a day, withstand finger pricks from pinning clothing to be sewn, sit and sew for 5-7 hours a day if needed.

Special Message to Applicants:

Posting Date: 10/28/2024

Closing Date (11:59pm ET):

Salary Posting Information: Commensurate with experience.

Salary Band: 11

Job Classification: non-exempt