Theatre Production Assistant - Costume Shope

UWSUP University of Wisconsin Superior; Superior (WI); On-site; USD 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Superior is seeking a Theatre Production Assistant - Costume Shop to support the theatre program by preparing, organizing, and maintaining costumes for productions on and off campus. The role requires attention to detail, teamwork, and professionalism, with duties backstage during rehearsals and performances and occasional evening/weekend shifts.

The position emphasizes costume construction, alterations, and upkeep, and offers a $15/hour compensation.

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm and a desire to work in technical theatre.
• Must qualify for federal work study.
• Must be a current or incoming UWS student.
• Must be able to work a minimum of 5 hours a week. 10 hours a week is preferred.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds short distances.

Responsibilities

• Pull, organize, and maintain the costume collection for departmental productions and events.
• Assist with costume fittings, alterations, and garment construction.
• Apply basic sewing skills to perform repairs, adjustments, and finishing work as needed.
• Work backstage during technical rehearsals and performances, assisting with quick changes and costume management.
• Clean, launder, and care for costumes according to production needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe costume shop environment.
• Manage and track costume inventory, ensuring accurate records of items in use and in storage.
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and a positive, professional attitude while working with students, faculty, and staff.
• Maintain flexibility in scheduling, including evenings and weekends during production periods.

Skills

Enthusiasm for tech theatre

Punctual and professional

Basic sewing

Team collaboration

Job description

Current Students: If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Workday Internal Jobs Site for Students

Position Title: Theatre Production Assistant - Costume Shope

Job Category: Student Hourly Job Profile: Student Help

Job Summary: Position Overview: The Costume Shop Assistant supports the theatre program by assisting in the preparation, organization, and maintenance of costumes for productions both on and off campus. This position requires attention to detail, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to punctuality and professionalism. The Costume Shop Assistant will contribute to the success of productions by ensuring costumes are properly constructed, altered, maintained, and managed throughout the rehearsal and performance process.

Compensation Rate: $15/hour

Primary Responsibilities:

• Pull, organize, and maintain the costume collection for departmental productions and events.
• Assist with costume fittings, alterations, and garment construction.
• Apply basic sewing skills to perform repairs, adjustments, and finishing work as needed.
• Work backstage during technical rehearsals and performances, assisting with quick changes and costume management.
• Clean, launder, and care for costumes according to production needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe costume shop environment.
• Manage and track costume inventory, ensuring accurate records of items in use and in storage.
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and a positive, professional attitude while working with students, faculty, and staff.
• Maintain flexibility in scheduling, including evenings and weekends during production periods.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Provide support in the scene shop as requested by the Technical Director.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of production and departmental needs.
• Follow supervisor’s instructions when building and painting scenery, maintaining props furniture, and hang masking curtains.
• Maintain the organization and safety of the costume shop and performance stage.
• Assist with the general organization, maintenance and inventory control of all shops, supplies, and equipment: makeup, sewing notions, electronics, hardware, power tools, paint, etc.
• Assist with the requests to borrow or rent equipment, props, costumes, etc.
• Assist with Box Office duties and ushering during performances.
• Assist the Costume Shop.
• Attend scheduled UWS Theatre student employee meetings, work strike call at the end of productions returning costumes to the shop. These dates are scheduled well in advance.

Primary Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm and a desire to work in technical theatre.
• Must qualify for federal work study.
• Must be a current or incoming UWS student.
• Must be able to work a minimum of 5 hours a week. 10 hours a week is preferred.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds short distances.
• Must be able to work on ladders and powered lift at heights up to 10 feet or higher.
• Be aware of any allergic reactions to latex gloves and paints and dust sensitivities.
• Work well unsupervised.
• Basic sewing skills are required; familiarity with alterations and repairs is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced production environment.
• Punctuality, reliability, and a professional demeanor.
• Willingness to learn new skills related to costume construction and stagecraft.

Notice to New Employees: Employment will require a criminal background check. A pending criminal charge or conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the University does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

Employment will require a criminal background check, and if you have prior work history within the last seven years with Universities of Wisconsin or State of Wisconsin agencies, a personnel file review check for employee misconduct. It will also require your references to answer questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University reserves the right to check references with notice given to the candidates at the appropriate time in the process. Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

The Universities of Wisconsin serve approximately 161,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the Universities of Wisconsin is Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree – with a median salary of more than $66,000. The Universities of Wisconsin provides a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. The Universities of Wisconsin and its employees are purpose-driven, people-focused, and committed to stewardship.