Costume Shop Student Production Assistant

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 12,501 - 17,805; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Costume Shop is seeking a Production Assistant to help build costumes for Theatre and Dance productions. Duties include sewing, pattern prep, alterations, and finishing details, with additional show laundry, repairs, and inventory tasks as needed.

Requirements include home sewing machine proficiency and basic construction process understanding; the role is an hourly student position with on-campus hours and compliance with university policies.

Qualifications

• Proficient with a home sewing machine and basic hand sewing techniques.
• Basic understanding of the construction process.
• This is an hourly/non‑exempt student position; strong organizational and safety habits are required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the construction of costumes for student and mainstage productions, including machine and hand sewing, pattern preparation, alterations, fitting adjustments, and finishing details.
• Support production needs by laundering, steaming, and pressing costumes during rehearsals and performances; assist with minor repairs.
• Pull costumes, accessories, and related items from stock for fittings and rehearsals; refile costumes properly after use and maintain labeling and storage systems.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe costume shop and assist with general shop upkeep and inventory organization.

Skills

Sewing proficiency

Hand sewing

Tools

Sewing machine

Pattern understanding

Job description

Position Overview

The Costume Shop Production Assistant will help construct costumes for all Theatre/Dance productions during the school year. Duties will mainly be sewing by machine and hand, but may also include craft work such as painting, dyeing, and other types of construction and ornamentation. Other duties may include show laundry and repairs, pulling and refiling costumes, and organization and maintenance of the shop and storage areas.

Job Description

70% – Building Costumes

• Assist with the construction of costumes for student and mainstage productions, including machine and hand sewing, pattern preparation, alterations, fitting adjustments, and finishing details.


• Follow designer and supervisor instructions while learning proper costume construction techniques and safe tool use in a shop environment.

10% – Show Laundry and Repairs

• Support production needs by laundering, steaming, and pressing costumes during rehearsals and performances.


• Assist with minor costume repairs such as mending seams, replacing fasteners, and addressing wear to ensure costumes remain performance‑ready throughout the run of a show.

10% – Pulling and Refiling Costumes

• Pull costumes, accessories, and related items from stock for fittings and rehearsals, ensuring accuracy and organization.


• Refile costumes properly after use, maintaining labeling and storage systems to keep inventory accessible and protected.

10% – Organization and Maintenance

• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe costume shop by tidying workspaces, organizing tools and supplies, and assisting with general shop upkeep.


• Support inventory organization and contribute to an efficient and collaborative work environment.

Required Qualifications

1. Must be proficient with a home sewing machine and basic hand sewing techniques, as indicated in application materials


2. A basic understanding of the construction process, as indicated in application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Basic understanding of theatre and the build process, as indicated in application materials.


2. Intermediate to advanced knowledge of clothing construction, as indicated in application materials.

Position Requirements

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester, or (2) be pre‑enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours, or (3) be enrolled in summer session, or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments do not apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Employment Conditions

1. Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.


2. This is an hourly/non‑exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non‑exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

Application Instructions

In addition to the online application, please provide the following.

• Resume/CV


• Cover Letter addressing required/preferred qualifications

To ensure full consideration, please apply before the application deadline of October 1st, 2026.

Contact Information to Applicants: Gail Trottier
[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range: $11.00

Anticipated Start Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026