Costume Design Associate

POSITION:Costume Design Associate

DEPARTMENT: Costume Department

CLASSIFICATION: Fulltime / Salaried / Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Costume Director

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance the Alley Theatre is a pioneer of regional theatre and one of the leading nonprofit theatre companies in the United States. The Alley has been awarded the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway OffBroadway major European Festivals and to 40 American cities. Unique among regional theatres the Alley is committed to maintaining a Resident Acting Company and providing them work yearround. Nationally recognized directors actors playwrights and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company.

Rob Melrose Artistic Director at the Alley took over as artistic leader of the organization in 2019. His vision for the future of the Alley is both thrilling and ambitious. His strategic goals include upholding the Alleys artistic excellence keeping longtime Alley Theatre devotees eager to return each season creating productions and cultivating new audiences.

Rob Melrose Managing Director Dean Gladden and the Alleys leadership team are committed to fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic selves.

JOB STATEMENT

Under the direction of the Costume Director the Costume Design Associate assists the Costume Designer on assigned productions at the Alley Theatre.

JOB DUTIES

• Assist Costume Designers through the build and rehearsal periods all technical rehearsals and preview processes on assigned productions at the Alley Theatre.
• In collaboration with the Costume Director Associate Costume Director and Department Team Leads (Tailoring Draping Crafts Wigs and Wardrobe) help assess the design needs for assigned productions.
• In collaboration with the Costume Director Associate Costume Director Department Team Leads and Costume Designer assist in the procurement and purchasing of fabrics and other materials needed in the construction of costumes crafts and wigs for assigned productions.
• Procure all projectspecific clothing shoes accessories and rentals.
• Work within approved budgets for assigned productions; keep the Costume Director aware of any possible overages. Keep all financial records up to date.
• Facilitate communication between the Costume Designer other members of the theatre and the artistic/design team for assigned productions.
• Communicate and collaborate with other Production Departments Stage Management actors and the artistic/design team for assigned productions.
• Communicate fitting requests that support the costume procurement process to the Associate Costume Director.
• Prepare all components for fittings in conjunction with the necessary parties; attend and assist all costume craft and wig fittings; take all notes and any photographs that advance the design needs for assigned productions.
• Assist in the management of costume elements needed for rehearsals technical rehearsals and other events as required by the theatre.
• Generate necessary paperwork for the Wardrobe Supervisor and additional wardrobe staff.
• Attend all designer runthroughs technical rehearsals and previews when the Costume Designer is in residence; take costume and wardrobe notes as necessary to facilitate the design process; communicate and share those notes with appropriate Costume Department Team Leaders. If unable to attend technical rehearsals coordinate with the Costume Director how attendance needs will be covered.
• Create and maintain archival Show Books for assigned productions.
• As needed provide understudy costumes for any understudy rehearsals or performances; coordinate with the Costume Director and Associate Costume Director on any resource and labor needs to support the understudy process.
• Assign and oversee the Costume Design Assistants daily work responsibilities which can include assisting with the costume procurement process; managing rehearsal room needs; helping to return purchased rented or pulled clothing; setting up the fitting room; the generation of paperwork etc. Provide training and guidance as needed.
• Attend weekly Costume Department Meetings and Production Department Planning Meetings.
• Attend production meetings for assigned productions.
• Share feedback about the design process (focusing on designer/performer process rehearsal period scheduling and project timelines) with the Costume Director in advance of postmortems for assigned productions.
• Act in concert with the theatres safety policies.
• Additional duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS (SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE):

• Must have prior costume design experience in a theatre setting.
• Must have experience assisting Costume Designers in a professional theatre setting.
• Three years experience working in a professional theatre setting preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of and experience with the costume design process.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word Excel Outlook); Zoom; Google Docs; Dropbox; internet navigation and purchasing.
• Welldeveloped organizational interpersonal and communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Strong time management and decisionmaking skills.
• Ability to problemsolve remain flexible and adapt.
• Ability to excel and remain detail oriented in a work environment where multiple projects with specific deadlines overlap.
• Ability to take initiative for assigned projects.
• Ability to work both independently and with other staff members to achieve goals prioritizing team building and teamwork.
• Understanding of (or a commitment to learning about) historical and institutional racism in the American theatre.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Prolonged periods of remaining in a stationary position to work at a computer attend meetings and be present for runthroughs and rehearsals.
• Ability to move through and navigate office and theatre spaces to access work and meeting areas office and costume equipment costume storage spaces etc.
• Ability to position oneself to accommodate costume fitting or dressing needs.
• Ability to move up to 25 lbs. either independently or with assistance.
• Ability to climb stairs and step ladders.
• Must maintain a valid drivers license.
• Typical hours are during the day but this position requires the flexibility to be available for weekends holidays or evening work hours during the production process.

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Medical dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation floating holiday and sick time
• 401(k) with matching FSA HRA (Alley paid deductible)
• Free and discounted tickets to Alley Theatre performances
• BiWeekly $4 Discounted Parking.
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee wellness program & EAP
• Houston TX is one of the most affordable cities in the nation with no state or city income tax.

TO APPLY

Theatre is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability you may contact us at.

The Alley Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion sex national origin age disability sexual orientation gender identity veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local state or federal law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.