Job Title: Costume Director

Department: Production

Reports To: Director of Production

ABOUT DALLAS THEATER CENTER

One of the leading regional theaters in the country and the 2017 Regional Theatre Tony Award®Recipient, Dallas Theater Center (DTC) performs to an audience of more than 100,000 North Texas residents annually. Founded in 1959, DTC is now a resident company of the AT&T Performing Arts Center and presents its Mainstage season at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, and at its original home, the Kalita Humphreys Theater. DTC is one of only two theaters in Texas that is a member of the League of Resident Theatres,the largest and most prestigious non-profit professional theater association in the country. Under the leadership of Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty and Managing Director Jeffrey Woodward, DTC produces a seven-play subscription series of classics, musicals and new plays and an annual production ofA Christmas Carol; extensive education programs, including the Award-winning Project Discovery, SummerStage and partnerships with Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts; and many community collaboration efforts with local organizations. In 2017, DTC launched Public Works Dallas, a groundbreaking community engagement and participatory theater project designed to deliberately blur the line between professional artists and community members, culminating in an annual production featuring over 200 Dallas citizens performing a Shakespeare play.Throughout its history, DTC has produced many new works, includingrecent premieres ofMiller, Mississippiby Boo Killebrew;Hood: The Robin Hood Musical Adventureby Douglas Carter Beane and Lewis Flinn;Bella: An American Tall Taleby Kirsten Childs;Deferred Actionby Lee Trull and David Lozano;Clarkstonby Samuel D. Hunter;The Fortress of Solitudeby Michael Friedman and Itamar Moses;Giantby Michael John LaChiusa and Sybille Pearson,and many more.

The mission of DTC is to engage, entertain and inspire our diverse community by creating experiences that stimulate new ways of thinking and living. We will do this by consistently producing plays, educational programs, and other initiatives that are of the highest quality and reach the broadest possible constituency.

As a member of The League of Resident Theaters (LORT), DTC operates under the LORT agreement with Actors’ Equity, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and United Scenic Artists.

SUMMARY

A key member of Dallas Theater Center’s Production Department, the costume director effectively plans, develops, creates budgets,participates and oversees the construction and maintenance of all costume items for DTC productions. Areas of responsibility include the Costume Shop, Wardrobe and Wigs & Make- up Departments.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

  • Director of Production
  • Associate costume director
  • Costume shop staff
  • Wardrobe supervisor
  • Hair & Make-up supervisor
  • Costume designer
  • Stage Management
  • Production Department Heads
  • Artistic staff

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Effectively communicate and work closely with costume designers and directors to materialize their vision, within financial and scheduling constraints and within available resources.
  • To manage the day to day running of the costume shop and oversee the management of the Wardrobe and Hair & Make-Up Departments, in accordance with current procedures and DTC policy.
  • Provide the Director of Production with accurate cost estimates of labor and materials required to produce costumes based on preliminary costume designs.
  • To give constructive advice to Designers and others in techniques and processes in order to manufacture costumes in the most effective manner.
  • To produce samples as required by designers.
  • To allocate work within the costume shop ensuring that work is achieved to the highest standard and when necessary, make recommendations for improvements.
  • To oversee and carry out complex alterations, maintenance and refurbishment.
  • Maintain effective communication with designer, stage manager, director, and department heads to ensure smooth development of rehearsal and performance costumes.
  • Attend full company meetings, departmental, production meetings, technical rehearsals, and preview performances.
  • Support of institutional special events(i.e. Gala, Opening Nights, Education programming) as needed.
  • Contribute to the preparation of budgets and operate within all agreed expenditure levels.
  • To monitor, approve, and submit payroll for all areas of responsibility, including full-time and over hire staff.
  • To meet and brief all members of your team, at least once a month, to ensure they have all the information, support and training required to perform their duties effectively.
  • To arrange and conduct annual and bi-annual reviews with all direct reports.
  • Implement theater policies in keeping with DTC’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
  • To keep the Director of Production informed at all times of issues relating to areas of responsibility.

These duties and responsibilities are not exhaustive and are subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS, AND ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES:

  • Thorough understanding of costume design and construction and all related aspects of the overall theater production processes.
  • A comprehensive and advanced knowledge of costume construction related disciplines including:

Pattern cutting, hand and machine sewing skills, costume fitting and procedures, fabric types and associated maintenance, alteration and refurbishment techniques and advanced skills in the safe use and maintenance of workshop machinery.

  • Experience and proficiency in the following areas: textiles, dyeing, painting, costume crafts, millinery, draping, tailoring, alterations, period research, shopping, and budgeting.
  • Thorough understanding of period, styleand history, as they relate to costumes.
  • An advanced knowledge and understanding of job related health and safety policies and procedures within the working environment and an understanding of AEA rules relating to costume.
  • Advanced organization, time management and administration skills.
  • Must be able to work effectively with all DTC staff and visiting artists in a cooperative and approachable manner.
  • Responsive to artistic needs.
  • Must be able to work under the stress of deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
  • Must be able to handle a high volume of work and attend to numerous projects concurrently.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Problem solving approach and positive attitude.
  • Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Dropbox. Google sheets and docs preferred
  • Must possess the physical ability to do moderate to heavy lifting, climb stairs, and sit or stand for extended periods of time.
  • Must be available to work extended work hours including nights and weekends.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

  • MFA desired (BA required) in Costume Design or relevant areas of theater production.
  • Proven experience in a similar role at a similar professional level.
  • Proven experience of managing a costume shop at a professional theater.

Dallas Theater Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized because of such a request.

Please send résumé with references and a cover letter to: