Costume Director

Description

At Zach, we believe in the power of light—to illuminate new ideas, spark imagination, and bring people together. As Austin’s leading professional producing theater, we create vibrant, intimate theater experiences that engage, inspire, and connect our community. The Costume Director is responsible for managing the Costume Shop, Wardrobe, and Hair, Wig and Makeup operations, overseeing all day-to-day shop activities including personnel, equipment, supplies, inventory, workroom and costume storage areas, and costume rentals.

The Costume Director works under the Director of Production to establish and maintain expense budgets, supervise designers, and hire and supervise costume shop, wardrobe, and hair, wig and makeup personnel, including full-time and contracted labor. The Costume Director ensures the costume design, construction, wardrobe, laundry, hair, wigs and make up needs are successfully met for each production or event in a year-round equity non-profit theatre company.

Additionally, the Costume Director serves as the Costume Coordinator for rental packages and as the Costume Designer for up to 2 mainstage productions as agreed upon with the Director of Production.

• Oversees and manages costume shop operations, costume stock inventory and rentals
• Recruits, hires, trains and supervises costume staff and contracted labor
• Schedules and attends costume measurements and costume fittings
• Attends all production meetings, rehearsals and performances relevant to costumes
• Work directly with the Designer, Director, Production Management, and other key stakeholders to guide the design process and develop materials and labor estimates
• Ensures the execution of costumes meet the needs of the designer, actor, production and construction standards, as well as the budget
• Sources, purchases or rents costume items and general shop supplies as needed for each production or designer
• Develops and manages costume, wardrobe and hair, wig and makeup budgets and costume databases
• Oversees and manages the wardrobe department operations and inventory
• Oversees and manages the hair, wig, and makeup department operations and inventory
• Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises wardrobe department staff and contracted labor
• Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises hair, wig, and makeup department staff and contracted labor
• Ensures all hair, make up, wardrobe and laundry needs are met for all productions
• Directly supervises and ensures accountability for the Costume Shop Supervisor and the Wardrobe and Wig Supervisor
• Designs costumes as needed for events, photo shoots and holiday shows and other design opportunities as they arise
• Patterns and sews as required per production
• Employs safe practices in all aspects of Costumes and Wardrobe operations
• Ensure safe, hygienic, and compliant practices in Hair, Wig, and Makeup
• Promote a supportive, inclusive culture for actors of all backgrounds, with specific attention to fitting room environment and Hair, Wig, and Makeup design
• Performs additional design and production related tasks as needed to support productions

• High school diploma required
• Minimum of 4 years costume shop experience
• 2+ years of management experience, including budgeting or applicable Master degree

• Working knowledge of fabric types, fabric dyes, paints, costume design, costume construction, costume history, draping, tailoring, pattern making, sewing and the costume fitting process
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including MS Excel, Word and Google Suite
• Working knowledge in the operation of a sewing machine, serger, steamer, industrial gravity iron, top and front-loading washing machines and dryers
• Strong organizational, planning, and budgeting abilities
• Ability to execute costume designs within established budgets
• Experience managing, hiring, and developing staff
• Proven success in leading others and building effective teams
• Capacity to guide a shared vision and purpose within the department
• Excellent verbal communication, quantitative, and leadership abilities
• Experience with costume rentals, research, sourcing, and purchasing
• Knowledge of…