Project Manager and Costume Specialist (Costume Construction Supervisor)

Indiana University; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in music education is seeking a skilled costume designer to enhance its artistic productions. This role involves creating and supervising the construction of costumes for operas and ballets, ensuring that each piece meets the highest standards of quality and artistic vision. With a vibrant community of performers and scholars, the position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic environment where creativity thrives. Join a team that values collaboration and innovation, and help shape the future of performing arts education.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical and dental insurance

Health savings account with contributions

Flexible spending accounts

Paid time off plans

Tuition subsidy for employees and family members

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Qualifications

• 4 years in costume design/construction or related field required.
• 3 years supervisory experience in a costume shop preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create and refurbish costumes for operas and ballets.
• Supervise costume shop staff and coordinate fittings.
• Ensure timely delivery and quality of costume production.

Skills

Proficient communication skills

Time management and priority setting

Quality commitment

Flexibility in a dynamic environment

Customer relationship building

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in apparel design/construction

Tools

Industrial sewing machines

Sergers

Job description

As one of the most comprehensive and acclaimed institutions for the study of music, the IU Jacobs School of Music (JSoM) plays a key role in educating performers, scholars, and music educators who influence music performance and education around the globe.
The more than 1,600 students who study at the Jacobs School of Music benefit from the intensity and focus of a conservatory combined with the broad academic offerings of a major university.
The essence of a great music school is its faculty, and the more than 180 full-time faculty members in residence at the IU Jacobs School of Music include performers, scholars, and teachers of international renown. In addition, many top musicians and scholars come to the school each year to give master classes and guest lectures or to serve as visiting artistic directors, conductors, and faculty.
The breadth and number of performance opportunities are unparalleled in college music study, with the school offering more than 1,100 performances a year, including fully staged operas and ballets. The school's facilities, including 5 buildings located in the heart of the IU Bloomington campus, comprise of outstanding recital halls, more than 170 practice rooms, choral and instrumental rehearsal rooms, and more than 100 offices and studios. The grandest facility is the Musical Arts Center, which features technical capabilities that are among the best in the nation.

Job Summary

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Patterns, constructs, fits, alters and refurbishes costumes for all operas and ballets every year (typically 6 operas and 3 ballets).
• Creates a plan for the completion of costumes for every production in conjunction with the Costume Shop Manager, Costume Designer, and other staff or over-hire Drapers.
• Develops patterns and cut fabrics when necessary for costume builds.
• Conducts fittings for new and existing costumes, and determine and mark necessary alterations in collaboration with the Costume Designer.
• Performs and supervise alterations and maintenance to pulled, purchased, or rented costume pieces.
• Ensures the needs of the costume are addressed, including the time period, required movement of the performer, and time available for changing into or out of the costume.
• Maintains timely delivery, excellence of product, and integrity of Designer's vision.
• Ensures accuracy in labeling, alterations, and finishing work.
• Instructs and supervises First Hands and Stitchers in the proper construction and alteration of costumes.
• Maintains the flow of work and ensure all costumes are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Ensures that sewing notes from each fitting are accurately recorded and communicated.
• Assesses finished costumes to ensure all notes are completed accurately and to company standards.
• Coordinates the completion of sewing notes and alterations from all dress rehearsals.
• Measures costumes for all shows that use existing costumes.
• Researches any period styles and techniques necessary to complete each costume.
• Provides yardage estimates for any fabrics and trims required for each costume.
• Provides labor hour estimates for assigned projects.
• Communicates scheduling needs for labor and fittings.
• Maintains a safe, comfortable, body-neutral working environment for all staff and performers.
• Maintains a pleasant, well-functioning, professional work environment.
• Monitors use of workroom supplies and request replenishment as necessary.
• Helps maintain an clean and organized work environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

General Responsibilities

• Successfully executes the creation of all costumes and accessories for all opera and ballet productions in keeping with the high standards of the theater. Drafts and creates original patterns in muslin from designer's renderings or revises patterns from existing costumes. Cuts, drapes, stitches, finishes and tailors original, complex, sophisticated, detailed costumes or performs alterations or repairs of rented or in-stock costumes.
• Provides expertise, leadership, and full supervision to costume shop staff in their construction of costumes and accessories. Meets with the costume designer, set designer, and stage directors, to discuss and provide advice concerning the details, goals, and objectives of the finished look of all costumes.
• Recommends options and alternative methods, ideas, and aesthetic choices with an eye to maintaining budget constraints while also realizing artistic results. Manages and directs work-loads and schedules of staff, full time and hourly, to meet all production and performance deadlines and to complete all costumes in faithful accordance to the vision of the designer.
• Communicates with all professional vendors and theaters regarding sales and rental of all materials, costumes, and notions. Attends all production meetings, dress rehearsals, and performances. Oversees and is responsible for the resolution of costume problems or concerns. Researches period styles and techniques and coordinates with vendors and outside sources for materials and rentals.
• Provides methods and creative problem solving for all projects. Leads all costume fittings with cast members of the opera and ballet productions communicating the status of the fittings with staff, designers, and executive director. Problem solves when situations arise such as the inadequate volume of fabrics or notions, construction of unusual designs, or poor fit or function of the costume.
• Directs all organization and maintenance of the shop and extensive inventory of all costumes in stock. Meets with departments gathering and organizing all pertinent information regarding costuming from the choral department, musical staff, ballet department, stagers, repetiteurs, and artists. May assist in development of departmental budget.

Qualifications

EDUCATION
Required

• High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED)

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in apparel design/construction, theater, clothing and textiles, or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE
Required

• 4 years in costume design/construction or related field

Preferred

• 3 years supervisory experience in a costume shop
• Professional experience in costume draping, patternmaking, construction, and tailoring of costumes.

SKILLS
Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to build strong customer relationships

Preferred

• Ability to interpret sketches, photographs, and drawings and translate the silhouette, proportion, and drape of designs into customized patterns for diverse body types
• Knowledge of costume history in terms of clothing worn and historical patterning
• Knowledge of a variety of costume construction techniques including hand and machine stitching, seams, closures, finishing details, lining, zippers, and alterations
• Strong flat patterning skills
• Strong draping skills
• Ability to work with all types of fabric that require a variety of sewing techniques
• Good collaborative skills and the ability to work well with others
• Good communication skills and the ability to instruct students, Stitchers, and First Hands with varying degrees of sewing experience
• Ability to use industrial sewing machines and sergers

Working Conditions / Demands

This role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate. This role frequently requires the ability to handle equipment. This role frequently requires the ability to remain stationary and ascend/descend ladders/stairs. This role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. The role requires the ability to detect items in close proximity as well as far away; discern between colors; detect objects in peripheral space of self; discern items in detail; and to have good depth perception. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Additional Information

$23.07 to $24.03 per hour
($48,000 to $50,000 per year)

Work Location

IU Jacobs School of Music Musical Arts Center
IU Bloomington campus

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure .

Job Classification

Career Level: Mastery
FLSA: Nonexempt
Job Function: Educational Resources & Tech
Job Family: Performing Arts
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Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
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