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Position: Costume and Wardrobe Assistant
Department: Production
Reports to: Costume, Wardrobe and Hair Director
FLSA Classification: Hourly
Compensation: The pay rate is the IATSE Local 887 contract rate, currently at $40.28 an hour

This position will be on a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) that has a commitment with the Employer for the subscription season.  The contract guarantees 46 weeks a year for 32 hours a week. Pre and post production work are 32-hour work weeks, Production and tech weeks are 40-hour work weeks.   Additional hours are added as needed by the Costume, Wardrobe and Hair Director. This position is represented by TWU 887.
 

Work Location: The 5th Avenue Theatre administrative offices located within Skinner Building (1326 5th Avenue, Suite 735). Periodic travel to/from production warehouses located outside of Seattle will be required.

Position Overview:

Working with the Costume, Wardrobe, and Hair Director, the Costume and Wardrobe Assistant’s primary role is to facilitate the daily operations of the Costume and Wardrobe department. This role is responsible for supporting the purchasing and managing of footwear and undergarments/skin parts, and organizing and managing all stock. 

This position interacts with visiting designers and directors, actors, and the costume shop team, and must bring exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Strong candidates will successfully problem solve meeting theatrical deadlines; bring a demonstrated ability to work both on a team and independently; have flexibility with a changing and fast-paced workload and environment; and demonstrate ease working under pressure with diverse personalities.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is a member of LORT (League of Resident Theaters), and produces on a LORT A stage, including educational performances and tours.

Uncertain whether you meet 100% of our qualifications? The 5th Avenue Theatre is committed to building an inclusive organization, and considering a broad array of candidates with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. If you believe you that you could excel in this role, regardless of whether you meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Effectively communicate and work closely with the design team to understand their vision, and assess the costume and shoe needs for each production
• Attend all fittings and take notes as needed
• Assist design teams, department leadership, and staff in pulling costumes, accessories, shoes, and skin parts from stock for shows and rehearsals
• Footwear and Undergarment (skins) Management including:
  • purchasing, modifying and maintaining products in line with performance and inventory requirements and high organizational standards
  • shoe quick rigging and painting
  • maintaining a detailed Excel spreadsheet with all shoe and skin information including purchases, color, size and qualifiers in each category
• Assist in the inventory, maintenance, packing, and shipping of rental packages owned by The 5^th, and confirm all products when the show’s inventory has returned
• Consistently track expenses and returns for shopped items and submit to Costume, Wardrobe and Hair Director; complete monthly credit card reconciliation with accuracy
• Be an active participant in The 5^th Avenue Theatre’s work towards equity, diversity, inclusion and accountability, and becoming an anti-racist organization by participating in all trainings and workshops, and actively implementing learned skills and policies in your department

This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to change in response to future changes/development. May perform work of all classifications as necessary

Qualifications and Desired Competencies:
The ideal candidate for this position will possess most of these skills and qualifications.

• Proven experience in handling large-scale production and design processes
• Advanced knowledge and experience with dance shoes, quick rigging, undergarment options
• Ability to differentiate amongst different colors; demonstrated vocabulary to communicate respectfully and equitably about body types, hair types, skin tones, and all genders using inclusive language
• Experience in budgeting and responsible and effective handling of designated funds
• Highly detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines; adapt and pivot amongst changing priorities and concurrent projects; manage repetitive and tedious tasks with a generally positive approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; adept at working under pressure, in difficult situations, or when working with difficult people
• Ability and willingness to exercise professional courtesy and discretion at all times, and maintain confidentiality as required
• Ability to operate Costume Shop machinery and tools, including but not limited to domestic and industrial sewing machines, serger/overlock machines, steamers, and irons
• Proficiency in creating and managing spreadsheets, specifically Excel
• Craft knowledge, shoe maintenance and modification, and knowledge of types of dance shoes are a plus
• An equivalent combination of an undergraduate degree in theatre with a focus in costume design and/or construction, or 4 years of costuming experience in professional shops.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift, move, push, pull 20-35 lbs. occasionally, alone or with assistance; must be able to push and pull large gondolas, rolling racks and boxes of costumes from one location to another usually with assistance
• Ability to stand and work on foot, and be mobile including climbing stairs and ladders as needed
• Ability to sit for long periods of time for tasks including machinery and computer operation  
• Ability to manage long periods of dexterous work like sewing, pinning, cutting, and painting
• Seeing and hearing are essential to the success of this position

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.