Assistant Draper

Ultipro; Ashland (OR); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) in Ashland, Oregon is seeking a seasoned Draper to create complex costumes and alterations for live and digital productions.

As a member of the Costume department, you will drape, draft patterns, cut fabrics, construct garments, and mentor junior costume staff while upholding safety standards and collegial collaboration.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in costume construction.
• Ability to read, listen, and perform measurements and conversions.
• Ability to draft and alter costume patterns.
• Ability to cut fabric efficiently and pattern match.
• Knowledge of safety standards backstage and in production shops.

Responsibilities

• Creates costumes for OSF live or digital projects by collaborating with leads to interpret narrative and style.
• Draping, drafting patterns, cutting fabrics, constructing garments.
• Mentor Costumer II and Costumer I as requested.
• Maintains shop spaces and equipment, cleans shared spaces after use.
• Assists in fittings, measurements, restocking, and inventory.
• Communicates effectively to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Skills

Pattern drafting

Fabric cutting

Alterations

Conflict de-escalation

Communication about body proportions

Growth mindset

Microsoft Office

Tools

Industrial sewing machines

Job description

Description

Position Overview

The Draper creates complex OSF costumes and alterations during the production build. This position is represented by IATSE Local 154.

Expected dates:asap - 6/12/2027

Pay rate: $ 29.85 hourly

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Creates costumes designed for OSF live or digital projects by:

a. Collaborating with Lead Drapers and Costume Project Managers to interpret costume narrative and style designed by the costume designer

b. Draping and drafting patterns

c. Cutting fabric and materials

d. Constructing and altering garments

e. Instructing and constructing prototypes and samples

f. Instructing and processing fabrics and garments for construction and/or paint treatment

g. Constructing multi-disciplinary elements (prop-costumes, lighting-costumes, etc)

h. Assisting Lead Drapers do fittings and measurements

i. Supporting Lead Drapers with planning and prioritizing work

2. Models and supports the mission and values of OSF by:

a. Demonstrating inclusive behavior and creating an environment of belonging

b. Maintaining a safe and anti-racist working environment

c. Recognizing micro-aggressions and interrupting othering behaviors

3. Adheres to OSF Company Handbook, Safety procedures, Collective Bargaining Agreement, and Costume Department Guide

4. Mentor Costumer II and Costumer I, as requested

5. Participates in the maintenance, organization, and sanitization of costume shop spaces and equipment by cleaning shared spaces and supply bins/ shelves after each use

6. As necessary, clean garments and accessories, using bacterial sprays on footwear

7. Assist in restocking garments and accessories after Fittings, Load-out, Opening, and Closing

8. Attends all company, department, shop meetings, and as necessary, safety trainings Other Duties and Responsibilities:

9. Assist in Costume Rentals and Rental repairs

10. Restock and assess inventory of shop goods

11. Pick up and deliver supplies between Ashland and Talent campuses

12. Other duties as assigned by the costume department management staff

Supervision Received:

Supervision Exercised:

Qualifications & Skills: Work Experience: 5 or more years of experience in costume construction Qualifications/Skills: Open to giving and receiving instruction. Ability to read, listen, and perform mathematical equations, conversions, and time estimations. Ability to draft and alter costume patterns. Ability to cut fabric efficiently and pattern match. Practiced in de-escalating conflict. Ability to model a growth mindset using open verbal and written communication and by meeting challenges and unexpected changes. Practiced in communicating body proportions, hair textures and styling, skin tones and genders using respectful and equitable language. Advanced knowledge of a variety of fabrics and materials using industrial sewing machines and shop tools. Advanced at tailoring, dressmaking, and alterations to fit and flatter all bodies. Knowledge of safety standards backstage and in production shops. Able to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and cloud-based information sharing systems.

Physical Ability: Lift and move costumes and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds occasionally, climb stairs occasionally, and sit or stand for extended periods of time with or without work modifications.

Other Skills, Ability and/or Knowledge: Ability to keep multiple projects moving forward simultaneously and meet deadlines. Ability to pivot and respond to last minute changes. Confidentiality required.

Special Hours Requirements: Standard work week is Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00am- 6:00pm. Overtime must be approved, and schedule may be adjusted as necessary.

PREFERRED: Knowledge of global garment and costume history. Experienced mentoring or teaching.

Organizational Background

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) was founded in 1935 in Ashland, OR, and has grown from a three-day festival of two plays to a nationally renowned theatre arts organization that presents a rotating repertory season of up to 10 plays and musical performances, including illuminating interpretations of Shakespeare, other enduring classics, and new works. OSF productions have been presented on Broadway, internationally, and at regional, community, and high school theatres across the country. OSF received the 1983 Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is one of the largest nonprofit theatres in the nation with three stages, including an outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre.

Statement of Purpose

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival creates world-class theatre, revealing our collective humanity through illuminating interpretations of new and classic plays, and inspiring a love of our art form for current and future generations.

Company Values

• We are committed to working toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, creating a space of belonging for all audiences and employees—through concrete actions and systemic improvements.
• We nurture and support our artists, attracting and retaining diverse, innovative talent across the organization.
• We believe in the transformational power of collaborative artmaking and performance.
• We recognize the importance of responsible stewardship of resources and sustainable business, financial, and environmental practices.
• We serve the public good and engage with and respect our community of artists, audiences, staff, local citizens, patrons, donors, and the greater theatre community worldwide.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.