Wardrobe Manager

Opera Stl; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 15,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis seeks an experienced Wardrobe Manager to oversee wardrobe operations for the 2027 Festival Season. You will lead wardrobe personnel, develop paperwork, coordinate maintenance, and ensure quick changes and costumes are prepared and performance-ready for four operas performed in repertory.

Collaborating closely with Costume Shop leadership, Stage Management, Designers, and other production departments, you will manage load-in/strike and uphold safety and organizational

Qualifications

• Experience overseeing wardrobe operations for live theatre or opera productions.
• Ability to maintain paperwork and run sheets for costumes and quick changes.
• Strong leadership and collaboration with design and stage teams.

Responsibilities

• Supervising and training wardrobe crew members and dressers.
• Creating and maintaining wardrobe paperwork, run sheets, and laundry schedules.
• Organizing backstage wardrobe operations, dressing rooms, and quick-change areas.
• Maintaining costumes through laundering, steaming, pressing, repairs, and coordination of dry cleaning.
• Assisting performers with dressing and executing costume changes, including complex quick changes.
• Collaborating with Costume Shop leadership, Stage Management, Designers, and other departments.
• Managing load-in and strike of costume elements.
• Maintaining wardrobe supplies, equipment, and safe working practices.
• Preserving artistic integrity and consistency of costume designs during rehearsals and performances.

Skills

Wardrobe supervision

Leadership

Organizational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Discretion

Job description

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Work With Us

2027 Festival Season - Wardrobe Manager

Position Summary

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) is seeking an experienced and organized Wardrobe Manager to oversee all wardrobe operations for our 2027 Festival Season. Working closely with the Costume Shop Manager, Costume Designers, Stage Management team, and Wardrobe Crew, the Wardrobe Manager is responsible for maintaining the artistic integrity and performance readiness of costumes throughout rehearsals and performances.

The Wardrobe Manager supervises wardrobe personnel, develops and maintains wardrobe paperwork, coordinates costume maintenance and laundry, manages quick changes, and ensures costumes are prepared, organized, and performance-ready for four operas performed in repertory. This position combines leadership, organization, costume maintenance, and backstage run-of-show responsibilities in a fast-paced professional opera environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

Job Duties / Technical Competencies

• Supervising and training wardrobe crew members and dressers.
• Creating and maintaining wardrobe paperwork, including run sheets, costume plots, preset lists, laundry schedules, and quick-change documentation.
• Organizing backstage wardrobe operations, dressing rooms, and quick-change areas.
• Maintaining costumes throughout the run through laundering, steaming, pressing, repairs, and coordination of dry cleaning.
• Assisting performers with dressing and executing costume changes, including complex quick changes.
• Collaborating closely with Costume Shop leadership, Stage Management, Designers, and other production departments.
• Managing load-in and strike of costume elements.
• Maintaining wardrobe supplies, equipment, and safe working practices.
• Preserving the artistic integrity and consistency of costume designs throughout rehearsals and performances.

Professional Qualities / Soft Skills

• Strong organizational skills
• Leadership, problem-solving, and communication
• Costume maintenance expertise
• Discretion when working with performers
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced production environment

Compensation

Dates: May 3, 2027 - July 4, 2027

Compensation: $19.00/hour

Reports to: Costume Shop Manager / Production Manager

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization known for innovative productions featuring outstanding young artists. The company offers a festival opera season each spring which attracts ticket buyers from zip codes throughout the metropolitan area, as well as visitors from nearly 50 states and multiple countries. As of 2026, OTSL has presented 45 world premieres, which may be the highest percentage of new work in the repertory of any American company. In addition to the spring Festival Season, OTSL operates year-round education and community programs serving nearly 17,000 local children and adults. Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has a year-round artistic and administrative staff of approximately 45, which grows to nearly 500 during the Festival Season. Several hundred volunteer members of the Opera Theatre Guild provide support for all aspects of Opera Theatre's work and advocate for the company throughout the greater St. Louis community. The company’s annual budget size is approximately $13 million; contributed revenue represents more than 50% of budget.

At Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, we value equity, diversity, and mutual respect. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people with disabilities, and others who have been historically excluded to apply. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our community. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. OTSL will not discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion or belief; national, social, or ethnic origin; age; sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression; physical, mental, or sensory disability; family or parental status; genetic information or characteristics; protected veteran status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. OTSL will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

If you need assistance or accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact [phone] or [e-mail] .