Lead Costume Artist — Live Entertainment

The Walt Disney Company; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company seeks a Costume professional for Disney Live Entertainment, responsible for independently managing garment production for new and existing entertainment offerings, from character greetings to parades and shows. You will ensure costumes are safe, functional, and aligned with creative intent while balancing budget and schedule.

You will partner with Designers, Production, Stage, Safety, and Operations, mentor hourly Cast, and drive costume sustainment, fittings, and sample

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in theatre, film, fashion, or apparel industry.
• 1+ years of hands-on experience with garment construction, textile properties, and fabric handling, with proficiency in basic craftwork and finishing methods.
• Strong, proven expertise in managing the full project and production management lifecycle, ensuring efficiency and quality across all phases.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex issues to diverse stakeholders.
• Skilled in costume documentation, including photos, component guides, and laundry care instructions.
• Experience maintaining budgets, including capital planning, transfers, and cost estimation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, SAP, Smartsheet, and other web-based tools.
• Experience in purchasing apparel-related items and managing vendor relationships.
• Ability to work around various materials (e.g., fabrics, fibers, furs).
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, holidays, and travel between locations as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with salaried and hourly union Cast through effective communication and follow-through while providing daily operational updates to leadership
• Mentor and guide hourly union Cast, providing coaching, feedback, and development opportunities; communicate staffing needs to leadership
• Monitor show quality through Cast and Crew feedback; provide basic guidance on costume care and setup
• Serve as the primary Costuming contact for assigned productions, collaborating with Designers, Production, Stage, Safety, and Operations teams to maintain quality and resolve issues
• Collaborate with Designers to select fabrics, trims, and accessories that meet climate, safety, and functionality requirements, while approving samples and coordinating fittings, photoshoots, and key review sessions to ensure design integrity
• Document costume and production processes for historical reference and future analysis
• Collaborate with Entertainment Safety and Costuming Operations to ensure costumes comply with safety protocols and support performer well-being; identify and upscale potential risks in design, fit, or wear, and develop mitigation plans as needed
• Ensure costume sustainment and accessories meet show-quality standards while adhering to financial and operational constraints
• Develop and manage project estimates, timelines, and budgets for assigned shows and offerings, ensuring alignment with creative intent, guest experience, and financial targets
• Partner with Costume Planning to create material numbers in SAP and manage procurement processes
• Source new vendors for materials and finished goods, attending trade shows to stay current with industry trends, while overseeing cost tracking and reporting within AOP guidelines
• Oversee domestic and international costume deliveries, ensuring compliance with customs and shipping regulations
• Represent projects in Executive and Creative buy-offs and support special events, character rollouts, filming, and conventions as needed

Skills

Theatre/Film/Apparel industry

Garment construction

Budgeting

Communication

Documentation (photos, guides)

Vendor management

Scheduling and project lifecycle

Travel flexibility

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Advanced degree in Costuming, Costume Design, Textiles, Theater, Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, or related field

Tools

SAP

Smartsheet

Microsoft Office

Teams

Job description

The Walt Disney Company seeks a Costume professional for Disney Live Entertainment, responsible for independently managing garment production for new and existing entertainment offerings, from character greetings to parades and shows. You will ensure costumes are safe, functional, and aligned with creative intent while balancing budget and schedule.

You will partner with Designers, Production, Stage, Safety, and Operations, mentor hourly Cast, and drive costume sustainment, fittings, and sample