Opportunity: Costume Shop Supervisor, Public Theatre, San Antonio, Full Time, $36k/yr
Announced by the Public Theatre, San Antonio:
Costume Shop Supervisor
Programming & Production · San Antonio, Texas
Costume Shop Supervisor
FSLA Status: Exempt/Full Time
Reports to Executive Artistic Director
Supervises Costume Assistant and Stitchers
The Public Theater’s mission is to produce live professional theater that inspires, educates, and connects communities. The organization’s objective is to produce high quality theatrical productions year-round in multiple venues contributing to its as well as the city’s annual financial and cultural growth. The goal is to maintain and improve upon its perception as San Antonio’s flagship theater while creating a stronger collaborative and supportive culture. “Theater for all” serves as the organization’s vision for its region.
At the Public Theater of San Antonio, the Costume Shop Supervisor plays an important role in the operations of the theater, particularly as we are rebuilding post-COVID. Our Costume Shop Supervisor supervises the build and execution of costumes throughout the season as well as designing Cellar Theater productions. The ideal candidate thrives with timelines and is excellent at working independently. The Costume Shop Supervisor often serves as liaison between the organization and guest artists, and serves on the Executive Artistic Director’s senior production team. The Costume Shop Supervisor oversees all aspects of costume construction, maintenance, and storage. Other responsibilities include creating and maintaining expense budgets and reports, managing and approving purchase orders and shop supplies, hiring and supervising part-time and temporary costume shop personnel - including wig and make-up contractors or other specialists as needed, and collaborating interdepartmentally on institutional events and projects. Administrative experience in shop management strongly preferred along with knowledge of costume design, patterning (flat and/or drape), budgeting, costume history, fabrics, millinery, leatherwork, wig construction, and theatrical makeup. Cutter/Draper skills are strongly preferred. Weekend and evening hours are expected as required by technical rehearsal processes. As we are transforming the work culture at our theater, it is important that the Costume Shop Supervisor have excellent interpersonal skills, mentoring ability, and time management skills, as well as a commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment. The ideal candidate is conscious of diversity in body type, ability, and personal boundaries in their work.
Duties & Responsibilities
- General
- Advises on creation of annual budget, as related to costumes and production
- Tracks all costume and shop related expenses in relation to budget
- Works with the Executive Artistic Director and Production Assistant/Manager to create department deadlines
- Manages and maintains all costume inventory and departmental assets
- Manages Costume Shop equipment and supplies
- Interviews, hires, and manages needed assistants, stitchers, and dressers
- Other duties as assigned in contributing to the overall success of productions at The Public Theater of San Antonio
- Production
- Assists with script breakdown and costume plots
- Schedules and executes costume fittings as needed
- Ensures compliance with AEA handbook requirements as related to all costuming, wig, and makeup needs
- Builds and/or procures all costume items for production. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Creating patterns with information provided from sketches, renderings, and instruction.
- Pulling and altering items from our selection of stock.
- Shopping online to find pieces of design likeness.
- Borrowing/Renting from surrounding institutions as needed for the show and within the budget.
- Supervises Assistant Costumer and/or contracted costuming personnel in duties delegated as needed
- Acts as wig and makeup consultant and/or coordinates with Assistant Costumer and/or conracted costume personnel for wig and makeup needs
- Submits and approves purchase orders related to costumes
Requirements and Preferences
The qualified candidate must have...
- A proven theatrical experience
- The ability to operate a sewing machine and perform basic sewing
- Skill in creating renderings as well as patterning (draping and/or flat patterning)
- Knowledge of technical aspects of theater production
- Knowledge of period design
- The ability to lift and carry over 50 lbs consistently
- The ability to climb, stoop, and squat
- The ability to create production plans and prioritize tasks
- A willingness to learn new skills
- An understanding of diverse body types and how they interact with costume pieces
- A commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, particularly as it relates to changing standards in American Theater, communicating with diverse team members and creatives, and an openness to learning
- Aa collaborative attitude and approach to work
The ideal candidate will also have…
- Experience with wigs and makeup as well as advanced laundering needs
- Proven success in managing a team
- A sense of thriftiness and creativity in working with lower budgets
- An understanding of Actor’s Equity Association needs and how that relates to costume production and care
Compensation and Benefits
The Public offers an annual salary of $36,000, and a competitive benefits package that includes paid vacation, employer contributions to medical insurance, and access to dental and vision insurance as well as a 403-B retirement plan.
Cultural Commitment
As a theater company and nonprofit organization, The Public Theater puts Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) at the forefront of its operations, decisions, and practices. We meet these goals by cultivating spaces and processes that respect and represent diverse ideas, races, genders, sexualities, abilities, cultures, religions, and traditions on stage and off. The Public Theater staff are expected to work in a manner that is consistent with this commitment and must work to advance our diversity and inclusion efforts by consciously and deliberately addressing any hindrances to those goals. We are committed to providing the resources to our staff and creative teams as we continue our efforts in learning and growing in these efforts, and we hope to hire additional staff members who understand these values.
We are committed to a swift and sustained effort that invites people of color, and other members of historically excluded communities, to be an active part of our leadership, decision-making processes, and operations. All candidates interested in the position are encouraged to apply. We are a caregiver and parent friendly space. The Public is an equal opportunity employer.
This position is based in San Antonio and will require in-person attendance, but allows for some remote work.
The Public Theater promotes a fully vaccinated workforce. All artists, staff, and volunteers must provide proof of vaccination prior to start date and may be required per union guidelines to undergo COVID testing at the expense of the producer.
