Costume Shop Assistant/Stitcher Wardrobe

Dartmouth College; Hanover (NH); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Dartmouth College's Hopkins Center seeks a Costume Shop Assistant/Stitcher Wardrobe to support costume construction, alterations, and wardrobe logistics during builds and performances.

The role trains and supervises students, coordinates quick changes, and serves as liaison among costume team, performers, and stage management, ensuring costumes are ready for each show.

Qualifications

• BA, BFA, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in garment alteration, repair, and construction.
• Proficiency in cutting and stitching, including hand and machine sewing.
• Experience operating costume shop machinery and equipment.
• Wardrobe management and live performance support; training others in a lab setting.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Assist in costume construction, garment cutting, stitching, alterations, and embellishment.
• Operate and maintain costume shop machines and equipment.
• Attend rehearsals to understand character tracks and quick changes.
• Track costume changes and backstage garment handling during live productions.
• Support performers with dressing, wardrobe checks, and wig/makeup guidance.
• Serve as liaison between Costume Shop Manager, designers, performers, and stage management.
• Perform additional duties to support costume production and theater operations.

Skills

Garment alteration

Cutting & stitching

Wardrobe management

Supervising students

Costume construction

Costume craft techniques

Outlook (Office suite)

Education

BA/BFA or equivalent

Tools

Costume shop machinery

Job description

Costume Shop Assistant/Stitcher Wardrobe

Position Information

Posting date 06/19/2025

Open Until Filled Yes

Position Number

Position Number 1129357

Position Title

Position Title Costume Shop Assistant/Stitcher Wardrobe

Hiring Range Minimum

Hiring Range Minimum $22.00

Hiring Range Maximum

Hiring Range Maximum $27.34

Union Type

Union Type Not a Union Position

SEIU Level

SEIU Level Not an SEIU Position

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Non-Exempt

Employment Category

Employment Category Regular Full Time

Scheduled Months per Year

Scheduled Months per Year 12

Scheduled Hours per Week

Scheduled Hours per Week 40

Schedule

Location of Position

Hanover, NH Hopkins Center

Remote Work Eligibility? Onsite only

Is this a term position?

Is this a term position? No

If yes, length of term in months.

If yes, length of term in months. NA

Is this a grant funded position?

Is this a grant funded position? No

Position Purpose

The Costume Shop Assistant/Stitcher Wardrobe supports all costume-related functions during both the build and performance phases of theatrical productions. This position provides skilled support in costume construction and alterations, manages wardrobe logistics and garment upkeep during performances, and serves as a key liaison between the costume team, performers, and stage management. The role also assists in supervising and training students in a laboratory learning environment, helping foster educational and production goals within the department.

Description

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Education:

• BA, BFA , and/or equivalent combination of professional academic or theatrical costuming experience.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise in garment, costume, and accessory alteration, repair, and construction.
• Proficiency in cutting and stitching, including hand and machine sewing techniques.
• Experience operating and maintaining standard costume shop machinery and equipment.
• Knowledge of general costume craft techniques.
• Experience supervising and mentoring students in a laboratory or educational costume shop setting.
• Wardrobe management experience, including live performance support and training others in backstage processes.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? Preferred, but not required

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Coordinates the care, organization, and upkeep of finished costumes during dress rehearsals and performances, including laundry, repairs, and shoe maintenance.
• Ensures all wardrobe elements are ready and functional for each performance.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 30%

Description

Stitching and Construction

• Assists the Costume Shop Manager and Cutter/Draper in costume construction, including garment cutting, stitching, alterations, and embellishment of clothing, accessories, and specialty items.
• Operates and maintains costume shop machines and equipment.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 40%

Description

• Attends crew view and/or design run-throughs to understand character tracks and performer movements related to costume needs and quick changes.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 5%

Description

Quick Change and Costume Coordination

• Tracks costume changes and performer garments using mirror plots.
• Coordinates quick changes and backstage garment handling during live productions.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 5%

Description

Performer Support

• Assists performers with dressing, costume checks, and offers guidance on wigs, hair, and makeup to support the integrity of the costume design.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 10%

Description

• Acts as a communication bridge between the Costume Shop Manager, designers, performers, and stage management to address and resolve costume issues during technical rehearsals and performances.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 5%

Description

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties as assigned in support of costume production and theater operations.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 5%

Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

Performs other duties as assigned.