Overhire Costume Design Assistant

Department/Team: Costume Department

Position Reports To: Costume Director

Work Location: In-Person

FLSA Classification: Full Time/Seasonal, Hourly/Non-Exempt

Starting Pay Range: $18.69 – $20.40/hour

Position Classification: 600; H-1

Application Deadline: Sunday, February 19th, 2023

You can apply from your phone by texting “OHCDA” to (206) 966-4931

About Us

Seattle Rep is committed to producing extraordinary programming. We believe that our ability to contribute to excellence in the arts depends on building and supporting a robust and diverse community.

This Work Is Reflected In Our

We continuously work toward inclusion of those who have been excluded historically, particularly BIPOC communities, women, LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants and refugees, and people with disabilities, ensuring they are represented in all parts of the organization, including at the decision-making table, inclusive of their intersectional identities like age, religion, background, political ideology, and veteran or military status.

Mission

Seattle Rep collaborates with extraordinary artists to create productions and programs that reflect and elevate the diverse cultures, perspectives, and life experiences of our region.

Vision

Theater at the heart of public life

Values

Artistic Vitality, Sustainability, Generous and Inclusive Practices

About The Position

Seattle Rep is seeking a resourceful and highly talented Overhire Costume Design Assistant to join the Costume Department Team. The Design Associate provides essential support for our high quality productions.

The primary function of the Costume Design Associate is to work with, and as an extension of, the Costume Designer; assisting the Staff Costume Design Associate to fully realize the garments, accessories and hair goods that comprise a specific costume design.

Typical Duties Include

Designer and design support

• The DA’s primary objective is to make the Designer’s vision come to life. This is primarily done through discussions with the Designer, supporting the workroom’s builds, shopping, and ensuring continuity & integrity of the design decisions remain consistent throughout the build.
• Compile sketches & any other needed information for the workroom’s builds, as well as for the Costume Director and Stage Management, performing design research as needed.
• Facilitates procedures and procurement of all materials needed to execute costume creation & alterations, including but not limited to: fabric and accessory materials, costume rentals, stock and purchased garments. This may involve local, out of town, catalog, as well as on-line shopping.
• May facilitate & run actor garment & hair fittings, including understudy fittings.
• Attend rehearsals as needed, including tech-rehearsals & preview performances with or as a representative of the Designer and shop.
• Pull rehearsal costumes or, when necessary, work with the Stock Manager or Associate Costume Director to accomplish rehearsal needs.

Workflow support

• Assist the workflow scheduling and prioritizing of the workroom for interim goals which may include, but are not limited to dye schedules, fittings, tech and dress rehearsals.
• Attend weekly workroom & draper meetings to assess and anticipate needs.
• With the Costume Director, facilitate preparation of fitting requests from draper teams to Stage Management.
• May facilitate and time-manages actor fittings to ensure the most efficient use of draper’s & Designer’s time. Take fitting photos & distributes to Designer and drapers as needed.

Communication

• Assist in providing timely and comprehensive communication between the Designer, Director, work room staff, actors, Stage Management, and other departments.
• Compile paperwork, including pieces list & visual flow charts, and prepares dressing lists, check in sheets and run lists for the Wardrobe crew to facilitate the running and maintenance of each show.
• Assist in management of purchase & return receipts in a timely and organized fashion.
• Assist the Costume Design Associate record and maintain a full log of all design decisions, vendors used, shopping and material sources, and rental records to create a Show Bible (physical or digital as needed).
• Coordinate and cooperate with other departments to fulfill unity of design between scenery, properties, lighting, sound, and costumes.
• May facilitates Wardrobe/Wigs & Hair/Stage Manager meetings.
• Communicate maintenance information between drapers and the Wardrobe Crew.

Department health

• Attend meetings pertinent to production, costumes, and EDI work.
• Help to maintain a respectful and productive work environment in the workroom.
• Contribute to positive work culture and employee experience for everyone in the costume department.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4 years of Costume Design/Design Assistant experience at the educational or professional level.
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice.

Desired Qualifications

• Should possess a strong sense of design and color and have knowledge of costume/garment history.
• Should be able to maintain a positive work atmosphere, possess excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, have analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to work independently and as a team.
• Should be self-motivated!
• Should be able to keep a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends, and have the ability to maintain a professional attitude when working in a fast-paced and often pressurized environment.
• Should have basic accounting skills, and proficient computer skills (MS Outlook, Excel & Word, Photoshop).
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs. (reasonable accommodations can be made in consultation with the Rep’s Human Resources department)
• Willing to use public transportation or vehicle to gather and return materials.
• Knowledge of Actors Equity rules a plus.

TO BE CONSIDERED

• Submit a resume detailing related experience and education
• Submit a cover letter that outlines how your related experience and education qualifies you for the position and illustrates why you want to work at Seattle Rep.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed once the position has closed.

Seattle Rep has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy for all employees, with accommodations for medical and religious exemptions only.
Seattle Rep