Cutter​/Draper

Job Description

The Cutter/Draper is a key member of the Company’s Costume Shop reporting to the Costume Director and is responsible for the execution of costume drafting/draping and the supervision of costume construction or alterations. The Cutter/Draper is also responsible for assisting the Costume Director in facilities and asset management supervising equipment maintenance and ensuring adequate stock of tools, consumable, supplies, and notions.

• Direct and supervise the work of First Hands and Stitchers in the costume shop.
• Measure all rental costumes after they arrive to assist with costume assignments.
• Establish and supervise alteration methods ensuring safety of rental packages.
• Draft and drape patterns as needed for supplemental looks to rental packages requested by directors or for construction of new shows completed in house.
• Supervise and perform cutting, construction, alterations, notes, and repairs.
• Participate in fittings with Costume Director.
• Attend all dress rehearsals and subsequent tech notes sessions.
• Be onsite during all show calls to assist with emergency repairs or to step in as a backup dresser if needed.
• Assist Costume Director with load out of the venue.
• Supervise and conduct alteration restorations as required by the rental package.
• Assist Costume Director with receiving, packing, and shipping of rental packages.
• Supervise maintenance on shop equipment and inventory.
• Enforce Opera Colorado policies, procedures, and work rules.
• Maintain measurements database.
• Maintain a clean, safe work environment.
• Maintain a positive and communicative atmosphere in the workroom and with management and mediate any conflicts among personnel or with designers.

• Experience in costume construction, fittings, and alterations working with a wide variety of materials.
• Proficient in drafting and draping patterns for costumes especially period clothing.
• Proficient in advanced sewing techniques.
• Proficient in the preparation, use, and troubleshooting of costume shop equipment.
• 1 to 2 years of supervisory experience
• Able to use and navigate a computer, search the internet, and perform simple edits documents and spreadsheets.
• Experience as a draper/cutter in a professional costume shop is preferred but not required
• Flexibility for evening and weekend hours

• A mission-driven individual with a belief in and commitment to Opera Colorado’s mission, artistic vision, and values.
• An organized leader capable of delegating tasks and managing time and projects effectively under production deadlines
• A good listener, able to analyze and formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan.
• A flexible and creative individual who can find alternative ways to reach objectives when barriers arise, a skilled negotiator.
• A team builder – confident and competent; one who understands the subtleties of motivating and directing a diverse group of personalities with different work styles.
• Emotionally mature with a good sense of humor and the flexibility and sensitivity to work with diverse personalities and situations.

The Cutter/Draper is a seasonal, exempt position working 30 contract weeks during the season earning a weekly salary. They may also be requested to work, as available, on projects and planning during non-contract weeks and during such work will be paid hourly. Pay range is $1,000 to $1,160 per contract week and $25 to $29 per hour during non-contract weeks depending on experience.

The Cutter/Draper will be on contract weeks during the following periods:

• September 12, 2022 – November 27, 2022 (11 weeks)
• January 9, 2023 – May 21, 2023 (19 weeks)

All weekday performances are 7:30pm and Sunday performances are 2:00pm.
* November 10th is a student matinee with a 10:00am curtain.

• Verdi’s Rigoletto:
  November 5, 8,
  * 10, 11, 13 | 2022
• Korngold’s Die Tote Stadt:
  February 25, 28 and March 3, 5 | 2023
• Puccini’s Turandot:
  May 6, 9, 12, 14 | 2023