Costume Designer, Long Term Substitute (Oct 2026-June 2027)

Buckingham Browne Nichols School; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 116,000; Part time

Job summary

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is seeking a part-time Costume Designer/Costume Shop Manager for the 2026-2027 season. The role supports theater productions with artistic and technical expertise, mentoring student crews and coordinating wardrobe within budget constraints.

The position is based on our campus in Cambridge, MA, with dress rehearsals and weekend production weeks required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required.
• Experience designing costumes for theatrical productions across a range of historical periods, styles, and genres.
• Strong sewing and garment construction skills for theatrical applications, including pattern reading and creation, alteration, hand sewing, and machine sewing.
• Ability to teach students and support a costume build and run crew of 6 to 8 with varying skill levels.

Responsibilities

• Mentor student costume build and run crews throughout the production process, modeling professionalism, creativity, and collaboration.
• Collaborate with Theater Director and production team to ensure costume designs align with artistic vision and technical requirements.
• Build, sew, source, and alter all costume elements within the approved production budget with strong construction skills.
• Plan and supervise all costume fittings, ensuring proper fit and performance readiness before dress rehearsals.
• Attend all dress rehearsals and performances to manage costume operations and assist performers with changes.
• Lead the costume strike, cleaning and laundering pieces, and organizing return/storage of all items.
• Participate in production meetings and communicate clearly with the Director, production team, and staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Costume design

Student mentoring

Collaboration

Sewing & pattern reading

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Part Time Cambridge, MA, US

Salary Range: $69,500.00 To $115,754.00 Annually

Reports To: Upper School Director

About Buckingham Browne & Nichols:

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Buckingham Browne & Nichols is a day school that engages students in grades Pre-K through 12 in a rich and invigorating educational experience of the highest quality. The school excels at helping students discover their unique talents and passions and develop those strengths to the fullest. The curriculum is challenging, forward-thinking, innovative, and flexible, designed to help qualified students, from a range of backgrounds and with a wide spectrum of talents and interests, reach new levels of accomplishment. Co-curricular opportunities in athletics, the arts, community service, and other areas add important dimensions to students’ learning. Students learn on three age and developmentally-appropriate campuses. At every grade, BB&N takes full advantage of the range of opportunities its locations afford.

BB&N is committed to becoming an anti-racist institution. This commitment is integral to the mission and vision of the School. BB&N is an academically excellent, diverse, and inclusive community where students develop into lifelong learners who lead with kindness, curiosity, and integrity. We prepare students to be responsible and open-minded as they engage with the world around them. Our school is guided by the core values of:

Inquiry, in which we promote curiosity and critical thinking to inspire a lifelong love of learning.

Integrity, in which we strive to be honest, conscientious, and accountable in our actions, even when no one is watching.

Belonging, in which we foster a culture of respect, well-being, and connection that values all individuals and empowers them to discover and be their authentic selves, and

Kindness, in which we strengthen our communities by recognizing our common humanity and treating ourselves and others with respect and compassion.

The vibrancy and vitality we feel in the classrooms, hallways, stages, and playing fields of BB&N derive from the people who are here. At its root are the varied interests and experiences, the different backgrounds, cultures, religions, views, and perspectives that our students and faculty bring to their classes and families bring to myriad activities. Each of us adds to the richness of another’s experience. Working and playing together teaches us lifelong lessons about appreciating, knowing, understanding, and learning from each other.

Summary Description:

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is seeking a part-time (75%), temporary Costume Designer/Costume Shop Manager (Costume Designer/Costume Shop Manager) from October 2026 through mid June 2027. This individual will be a collaborative and creative partner within the theater production team, contributing artistic expertise, technical skill in building/procuring new wardrobe pieces and altering existing stock, and a genuine passion for storytelling. This position also carries a mentorship dimension, supporting student build and run crews from novice to skilled in developing their own skills and appreciation for the craft. All activities aim to develop students’ critical thinking, and the Costume Designer/Costume Shop Manager will cultivate a workroom community inspired by BB&N’s core values of inquiry, integrity, belonging, and kindness–where all students feel valued, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Work hours are split between an afterschool program mentoring students three days a week for 1.5 hours per day and approximately 25 hours of individual work during the day in a fully outfitted and dedicated costume shop on campus with a flexible schedule. Weekend hours will be required during production weeks. Additional responsibilities will vary according to current program needs and new initiatives to be determined by the TheaterDirector/Campus Director.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Key functions for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Mentor student costume build and run crews throughout the production process, modeling professionalism, creativity, and a collaborative approach to theatrical design and production.
• Collaborate closely with the Theater Director and production team to ensure costume designs are fully integrated with the overall artistic vision, aesthetic, and technical requirements of each production.
• Build, sew, source, and alter all costume elements within the approved production budget, applying strong sewing and construction skills to produce pieces that suit the director’s vision and are practical for student performers.
• Plan and supervise all costume fittings, ensuring that each performer's costume is properly fitted and performance-ready prior to dress rehearsals; complete all necessary alterations in a timely manner.
• Attend all dress rehearsals and performances to manage costume operations, support performers with costume changes, and address any costume-related needs that arise during the run of the show.
• Lead the costume strike at the conclusion of the production, cleaning and laundering of pieces, supervising students in the organized return, storage, or disposal of all costume elements, and ensuring the costume shop is left in good order.
• Participate in all required production meetings and communicate clearly and proactively with the Director, production team, and school staff throughout the production process.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements, Skills, and Competencies:

• The ideal candidate will bring a combination of experience working with students, costume design experience, and enthusiasm for mentoring students.
• Formal training or equivalent professional experience in costume design, fashion design, theatrical design, or a closely related field; Bachelor's Degree preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated experience designing costumes for theatrical productions across a range of historical periods, styles, and genres; school or educational theater experience a plus.
• Strong technical sewing and garment construction skills for theatrical applications, including pattern reading and creation, alteration, hand sewing, and machine sewing.
• Ability to teach students and support a costume build and run crew of 6 to 8 with skill levels ranging from novice to experienced.
• Ability to adapt an existing loose design concept and apply it to all aspects of costuming.
• Ability to manage a costume budget responsibly and source costume elements creatively and cost-effectively.
• Familiarity with makeup design and application as it relates to character and theatrical production is preferred.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills; ability to work effectively with directors, fellow designers, student performers, and school staff.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by the production schedule, including rehearsals, performances, and strike.
• Strong collaboration, organizational, and communication skills.
• Possess a passion for art and teaching that contributes to a dynamic and engaging classroom experience for students.
• Work effectively with a diverse group of people, including students, parents, faculty, and staff.
• Thrive as part of a collaborative team of colleagues within the Arts Department and with teachers in other disciplines.
• Demonstrate dedication to supporting adolescent growth and development.
• Value advancing students’ knowledge and affirmation of themselves and others.
• Integrate our School’s mission, values, and DEIG commitments into their teaching practices.
• Commit to working in and fostering an inclusive community by advancing the efforts of anti‑racism and equity in their classes and the broader community.

Salary: $69,500.00 - $115,754.00 (prorated for part‑time rate)

BB&N offers competitive salaries and benefits, employing equitable and consistent compensation practices. The starting salary for any hired candidate is based on experience within salary bands (0-30 years).

Compensation for eligible full-time and part‑time employees includes a 403(b) plan with up to a 10% match of salary and other competitive benefits offerings. Benefits offered to eligible employees include health & dental insurance; commuter benefits; long‑term disability insurance, and more.

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any non-job-related physical or mental disability. We welcome candidates who will increase our diversity; we encourage candidates of color and all diverse candidates to apply.