Senior Draper/Patternmaker

Yale University; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale University is seeking a Senior Draper/Patternmaker to join its David Geffen School of Drama's Costume Shop in New Haven, Connecticut. The role requires mastery in tailoring and costume construction, alongside strong collaborative skills with a diverse team. Candidates should have an MFA in theatre production or significant equivalent experience.

This full-time seasonal position offers an opportunity to lead costume projects from mid-August to mid-May, prioritizing craftsmanship and safety.

Qualifications

• Ten years of experience as a draper.
• Experience in millinery and costume crafts.
• Ability to identify job-related health and safety issues.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Costume Designer to interpret costume renderings.
• Create unique patterns using draping techniques.
• Supervise the work of stitchers and students.
• Fit costumes on a range of actors.
• Assist in maintaining the safety of costume shop operations.

Skills

Mastery of tailoring and draping techniques

Professionalism in fittings

Knowledge of costume history

Ability to collaborate in a diverse environment

Strong deadline management

Mentoring abilities

Expertise in costume shop machinery

Education

MFA in theatre production or related field

High school-level education or equivalent combination

Tools

Sewing machines (industrial straight-stitch, zig-zag, overlock)

Industrial steam irons

Job description

Overview

Senior Draper/Patternmaker reports to the David Geffen School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre Costume Shop Manager. The role exercises a high degree of autonomy and discretion, interpreting graduate student or guest costume designers’ sketches and creating stage‑worthy costumes for DGSD/YRT while maintaining high standards of craftsmanship, efficiency, and safety.

Employment Details

This is a full‑time seasonal position from mid‑August to mid‑May.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Mastery of tailoring, draping, and flat‑patterning techniques; expertise in all aspects of costume construction including cutting, sewing, altering, and finishing garments.
• Professionalism in fittings and ability to create a wide range of specialized costumes and craft pieces.
• Deep knowledge of costume history, period silhouettes, and textile properties.
• Team‑player ability to collaborate with staff, students, interns, guest artists, and other professionals in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Calm under pressure; strong deadline management, schedule coordination, and clear instruction skills.
• Ability to guide, advise, mentor, and lead students and staff in a professional setting.
• Expertise in costume shop machinery, including industrial straight‑stitch, zig‑zag, overlock machines, industrial steam irons, and incidental shop tools.

Preferred Education and Experience

MFA degree in theatre production with emphasis in costume design or costume technology; experience in millinery and other costume crafts; knowledge of job‑related health and safety issues and ability to identify potential hazards.

Principal Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Costume Designer to interpret costume renderings, discussing possible materials and methods.
• Create unique patterns using draping and flat‑patterning techniques.
• Supervise the work of first hands, stitchers, and students while ensuring quality construction of complex and specialized costumes and craft pieces.
• Fit costumes on a wide range of actors.
• Use specialized tools, processes, materials, and equipment.
• Attend appropriate meetings and rehearsals.
• Assist in maintaining the safety and efficiency of all costume shop operations.
• Prioritize and perform maintenance and repair of costume shop tools and equipment.
• Work occasional nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Ten years’ experience as a draper with high school‑level education; OR eight years of draping experience and an Associate’s degree; OR six years of draping experience and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field; OR four years of draping experience with an MFA in a related field; OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Professional experience as a draper.

Physical Requirements

• Sit and stand for long periods of time.
• Hold and control sewing tools and equipment, including a sewing machine foot pedal.
• Lift, carry, push or pull up to 25 lbs.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran. Inquiries concerning Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).