Costume Director

Overview

DEPARTMENT: Costumes

POSITION: Costume Director

REPORTS TO: Director of Production

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday. Schedule will change during load in or tech, which includes weekends.

CLASSIFICATION: Annual full-time, exempt

COMPENSATION: $89,115; benefits eligible after 90 days

 

POSITION SUMMARY

Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Berkeley Rep) has grown from a storefront stage to an international leader in innovative theatre. Known for its ambition, relevance, and excellence, as well as its adventurous audience, the nonprofit has provided a welcoming home for emerging and established artists since 1968. Over 6 million people have enjoyed more than 500 shows at Berkeley Rep, including 85 world premieres. Berkeley Rep shows have gone on to win 8 Tony Awards, 9 Obie Awards, 11 Drama Desk Awards, 1 Grammy Award, 1 Pulitzer Prize, and many other honors. In recognition of its place on the national stage, Berkeley Rep received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 1997. Through its annual seven-play season, together with up to four special event presentations, Berkeley Rep invites audiences to enjoy an eclectic range of theatrical experiences featuring diverse artistic voices, themes, and perspectives.

Berkeley Rep (LORT B) is seeking a Costume Director to be responsible for the realization of costume designs for productions at Berkeley Rep. The Costume Director is responsible for leading and managing a shop of four full time employees and up to 20 seasonal employees in the areas of costume construction, wigs, makeup, crafts, and wardrobe management and support. The Costume Director will oversee the department in areas of all day-to-day shop activities, shop construction workflow, wigs, makeup, crafts, and wardrobe. They will work closely with Designers and Design Assistants to actualize designs, managing the execution of each production. The Costume Director may also oversee rental, and vendor builds, managing the bid process, and facilitating communication between design and vendor needs. Key responsibilities include the day-to-day supervision of the costume shop, creation and management of department budgets, management of show and shop budgets, payroll, and financial reporting. The Costume Director is also an active participant in production team leadership meetings.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provide leadership, organization, direction, and oversight for the costume shop including the areas of costumes, crafts, wardrobe, wigs, and makeup.
Understand and interpret the Designer’s artistic vision to create a plan to actualize high quality designs within the resources allocated.
Work closely with production Designers and Associates to develop and manage a plan of action and list of priorities to execute the acquisition and fabrication of costumes, wigs, hair, and makeup within the resources allocated.
Identify and assign workloads to team leads as appropriate for each production.
Interview, hire, manage, mentor, and develop seasonal overhire costume technicians including wardrobe, wigs, hair, and makeup.
Develop, manage, and track costume, wigs, and makeup production budgets and expenses. Communicate budgets and expenses accurately and in a timely fashion to the finance and production management teams.
Manage the purchasing process for each production including approving and supervising Designers and their Associates in purchasing production items.
Establish project build schedules and key milestones for costumes.
Communicate and schedule fittings for cast and company with Stage Managers and Designers.
Support the rehearsal process ensuring rehearsal garments and shoes are provided timely.
Attend meetings, rehearsals, and previews. Delegate attendance with the costume shop team as appropriate.
Create, communicate, coordinate, and delegate notes process with wardrobe, shop teams, and Designers.
Develop and manage an action plan in conjunction with the Wardrobe Supervisor and Stage Management team for wardrobe, wigs, and make up show crews to successfully and safely run costume, hair, and make up tracks.
Work closely cross departmentally to create a solution when projects arise that touch several departments, typically with props, stage ops and sound.
Collate and create costume lists and accurate records, or show “bibles,” for productions that move on from Berkeley Rep.
Manage the transfer and pack out of costumes, wigs, hair, and makeup for productions that move on from Berkeley Rep.
Manage external costume bids, builds, and rental projects for external productions and companies.
Maintain, organize, and communicate all non-show related costume shop capital needs and budget needs to production management, including upkeep of machines, storage, equipment in the costume shop and wardrobe, wigs, and makeup areas.
Maintain the costume shop facility, including the costume office, shop, stock, storage, craft, dye, wardrobe, wig, hair, and make up areas.
Maintain and uphold health and safety protocols for the costume department in compliance with the safety protocols of Berkeley Rep.
Actively participate in workshops and training as requested, including harassment prevention, bystander intervention, and other initiatives related to antiracism, equity, diversity, inclusion, and access.
All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Technical Abilities

5+ years of costume construction or costume design experience required with at least 4 years in a supervisory position.
Extensive knowledge and understanding of costume design facets such as costume and fashion history, period styles, and art history.
Extensive knowledge of the costume theatrical production process such as costume design and manufacturing process, fabrication techniques, draping, tailoring, patterning, dyeing, and costume crafts.
Extensive knowledge of costume materials and fabrics including historical references and modern availabilities.
Working knowledge of hair, wigs, and makeup materials, processes, and needs.
Strong project budget estimation and accounting skills.
Strong project scheduling skills in creation of a project timelines, critical paths, scheduling, and tracking of construction time.
Comprehensive training in the safe operation of appropriate stationary and portable power tools and hand tools associated with a costume construction facility.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required. Proficiency in Google suite a plus.
Knowledge of photoshop or image manipulation software is a plus.
An active Class C driver’s license and ability to drive is a plus.

Behavioral Knowledge and Skills

Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and communication skills with a high degree of emotional intelligence and cultural competency.
Commitment to antiracism, equity, diversity, access, and inclusion.
Decisive and strong decision-making skills.
Proven leadership and personnel management skills. Experience collaborating with a wide variety of key stakeholders.
Exceptional collaboration in the process of creating new work and new productions.
Strong organizational skills. Resourceful, flexible, and capable of working in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines.
Ability to prioritize and effectively problem-solve.
Demonstrated ability to successfully address and resolve contradictory interests and values of multiple parties.
Ability to mentor upcoming Costume Shop Technicians and Wardrobe Technicians
Ability to perform physically demanding activities. Activities include standing for long periods, reaching above head, climbing, lifting and maneuvering 20 pounds frequently.
Demonstrated ability to face demanding situations with tenacity, diplomacy, and sensitivity under pressure.
Commitment to staying on the forefront of new industry technology through continuing education.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to work irregular hours, evening hours, long days, and weekend as required.

Application Procedure

Berkeley Rep is an equal opportunity employer and offers a full range of employee benefits including 85% employer-paid health and dental insurance, optional vision, FSA, and 403(b) plans, professional development support, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

Position available immediately. Online submissions only. Please include a cover letter and résumé when you submit your application. Persons from diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

Berkeley Rep will contact candidates of interest. Please, no calls. Only complete submissions will be considered.

Tagged as: #wardrobe, arts, costume, performing arts, theater