Lead Draper

Oregon-Shakespeare-Festival; Ashland (OR); On-site; USD 69,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) in Ashland, Oregon, seeks an experienced Lead Draper to join our Costume Department. You will oversee multiple costume projects, draft and drape patterns, lead fittings, and mentor Drapers and Costumers to achieve each production’s artistic goals.

This full-time, union role reports to the Costume Director and is represented by IATSE Local 154. With 7+ years in garment construction and expert pattern drafting, you will supervise fabric selection, testing, and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of garment building, construction, and alterations.
• Expert-level pattern drafting, alteration, and fabric-cutting skills.
• Advanced knowledge of fabrics and industrial sewing machines.

Responsibilities

• Costume Construction: Draft and drape patterns, construct prototypes, cut materials, and build and alter complex garments.
• Fittings & Design Execution: Interpret costume designs, measure performers, and lead fittings while respecting individual needs and privacy.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Guide and mentor Drapers and Costumers by planning, prioritizing, and communicating work while sharing advanced construction techniques.
• Production Collaboration: Partner with Costume Project Managers, Crafts/Dyers, Wardrobe, Hair, Rentals, and other teams to coordinate costumes, quick changes, and production needs.
• Research & Problem-Solving: Research and test fabrics, materials, and techniques and recommend solutions that meet artistic goals and production deadlines.
• Shop Operations: Support the maintenance, organization, safety, and sanitization of Costume Shop spaces and equipment.

Skills

Garment construction

Pattern drafting

Alteration

Fabric cutting

Industrial sewing machines

Costume shop tools

Mentoring

Communication

Tools

Industrial sewing machines

Job description

Description

Now Hiring: Lead Draper
Department: Costumes | Reports to: Costume Director
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (40 hours/week), Union – IATSE Local 154
Expected Start Date: October 6, 2026
Expected End Date: June 12, 2027
Pay Rate: $33.20 hourly
Location: Ashland, OR (On-site)

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Lead Draper to join our Costume Department. This role is ideal for an accomplished costume professional who combines expert garment construction and patterning skills with strong mentorship, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. The position is represented by IATSE Local 154.

The Role You’ll Play

As Lead Draper, you’ll create elaborate and unique costumes while overseeing multiple costume projects during the production build. You’ll interpret designers’ concepts, draft and drape patterns, lead fittings, construct and alter garments, and mentor Drapers and Costumers while collaborating across the Costume Department to achieve each production’s artistic goals.

What You’ll Do

Costume Construction: Draft and drape patterns, construct prototypes, cut materials, and build and alter complex garments.

Fittings & Design Execution: Interpret costume designs, measure performers, and lead fittings while respecting individual needs and privacy.

Team Leadership & Mentorship: Guide and mentor Drapers and Costumers by planning, prioritizing, and communicating work while sharing advanced construction techniques.

Production Collaboration: Partner with Costume Project Managers, Crafts/Dyers, Wardrobe, Hair, Rentals, and other teams to coordinate costumes, quick changes, and production needs.

Research & Problem-Solving: Research and test fabrics, materials, and techniques and recommend solutions that meet artistic goals and production deadlines.

Shop Operations: Support the maintenance, organization, safety, and sanitization of Costume Shop spaces and equipment.

You’ll Thrive Here If You…

• Have 7+ years of experience in garment building, construction, and alterations.
• Bring expert-level pattern drafting, alteration, and fabric-cutting skills.
• Have advanced knowledge of fabrics, materials, industrial sewing machines, and costume shop tools.
• Are experienced in mentoring and teaching other costume professionals.
• Communicate clearly, navigate challenges effectively, and collaborate successfully with a variety of personalities and working styles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of global garment and costume history.
• Strong experience mentoring and teaching Drapers and Costumers.

Physical & Schedule Requirements

Ability to lift and move costumes and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, occasionally climb stairs, and sit or stand for extended periods. The standard workweek is Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Overtime must be approved, and schedules may be adjusted as production needs require.

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 musicalies, 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
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