Assistant Costumer - Department of Dance

Butler University; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Health benefits including medical, at/

Retirement plan with employer match

Tuition Assistance for employees and a

Butler Facilities Access and Discounts

LinkedIn Learning Courses

Calm App premium subscription

WSJ/Economist/NYT subscriptions

Job summary

Butler University’s Department of Dance seeks an Assistant Costumer to support the Costume Director in creating and maintaining Butler Ballet costumes and wardrobe. The role involves sewing, alterations, and wardrobe logistics for classical and contemporary works.

You will cooperate with student stitchers, manage costume storage, and assist during productions as part of the Wardrobe crew, while adhering to deadlines and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of costume work in dance and/or theatre at the collegiate or professional level.
• Advanced skills in sewing, alteration, fabric dyeing, pattern reading, millinery, and tutu construction are required.
• Training and experience in dance and/or theatre costuming at the collegiate or professional level is required.
• Accurate and efficient construction skills, good work habits, passion for the work, strict adherence to deadlines, and commitment to excellence are required.
• Additional skills in crafts, millinery, and dyeing are desirable.
• Experience working with community-based organizations and underserved populations.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds, navigate stairs, and maneuver racks of costumes.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the construction, refurbishment, and alteration of costumes for Butler University’s Department of Dance.
• Help with wardrobe and costume storage, maintenance, and inventory.
• Work with student stitchers to complete assigned projects.
• Serve as Wardrobe crew for productions.
• Other duties as required.
• Occasionally operate University-owned vehicles to transport materials and costumes.

Skills

Sewing & alterations

Fabric dyeing

Pattern reading

Millinery

Tutu construction

Wardrobe maintenance

Inventory management

Deadline adherence

Education

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre or related field

Minimum 3 years of costume work in dance/theatre at collegiate or professional level

MFA degree in Costume Technology (preferred)

Job description

Position Overview

The Assistant Costumer for the Department of Dance within JordanCollege of the Arts will assist the Costume Director in theconstruction and maintenance of all Butler Ballet costumes andwardrobe.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the construction, refurbishment, and alteration ofcostumes for Butler University’s Department of Dance, includingclassical ballet and contemporary dance projects.
• The assistant costumer will also help the Costumer withwardrobe and costume storage, maintenance, and inventory.
• Work with student stitchers to complete assigned projects.
• Serve as Wardrobe crew for productions.
• Other duties as qualified and required.
• May occasionally operate University-owned vehicles or operate avehicle on the University’s behalf, to transport individuals,equipment, materials, and supplies in support of departmental andUniversity activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre orrelated field
• Minimum of 3 years of costume work in dance and/or theatre atthe collegiate or professional level.
• Advanced skills in sewing, alteration, fabric dyeing, patternreading, millinery, and tutu construction are required.
• Training and experience in dance and /or theatre costuming atthe collegiate or professional level is required.
• Accurate and efficient construction skills, good work habits,passion for the work, strict adherence to published deadlines, andcommitment to excellence are required.
• Additional skills in crafts, millinery, and dyeing aredesirable.
• Experience working with community-based organizations andunderserved populations.
• The successful candidate must be able to lift 50 pounds,navigate stairs, and maneuver racks of costumes between adjacentbuildings.
• Must possess and maintain an acceptable driving record inaccordance with University policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• MFA degree in Costume Technology

BU Benefits and Perks

• Please check out Butler’sTotal Rewards website to learn more about our benefitofferings, which include:
• Paid Time Off and Holidays :
  • 20 days of paid time off (vacation and PTO days) per Fiscalyear
  • 8 Paid Holidays
  • In addition, a paid Winter Break between Christmas Eve and NewYear’s Day
  • Paid Parental Leave (after 1 year of full-time employment)
• Health :
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans includingdisability and life insurance programs
• Retirement :
  • 10% employer contribution after 1 year of full-timeemployment
• Tuition Assistance :
  • Remission of tuition for classes taken at Butler for employees,spouses, and dependent children.
  • Eligibility after 9 months of full-time employment
  • Employees & spouses- undergraduate/graduate degrees
  • Dependents (under age 26)- undergraduate degree
    • Covers tuition only
  • Tuition Exchange Program for Dependents at participatinginstitutions
• Butler Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks :
  • Access to Butler’s on-site fitness facility and libraries forfull-time staff and faculty
  • LinkedIn Learning Courses
  • Free premium subscription to the Calm App
  • Free subscription to the WSJ, The Economist, and NYT
  • Discount at the College Bookstore
  • Discount on select Athletic and Arts/Events CenterPerformances

About Us

Butler University is a private, nationally recognized comprehensiveuniversity encompassing seven colleges: Arts, Business,Communication, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Pharmacy& Health Sciences and Founder's College. Approximately 4,500undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students are enrolledat Butler, representing 46 states and 24 countries.

Join us at the crossroads of tradition & transformation. Acareer at Butler University offers more than just a job—it’s anopportunity to join a dedicated, innovative, and supportivecommunity grounded in equity, academic excellence, and meaningfulimpact. Aligned with Boldly Butler, our strategic plan, faculty andstaff play a vital role in delivering transformational learningexperiences, enriching our campus and community, and ensuring athriving Butler for generations to come.

Butler University is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, color, disability, protected veteran status, nationalorigin, or any other legally protected category.