Wardrobe Department Head - The Wilma Theater

The Wilma Theater seeks a Wardrobe Department Head. The Wardrobe Department Head reports to the Production Manager.



The Wardrobe Department Head is responsible for providing for and managing the wardrobe requirements of each production, rental, and event; including supervising Wardrobe Department budgets, labor, equipment, and materials, coordinating the construction, alteration, purchase, care, and use of costumes through rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances.



The Wardrobe Department Head must have comprehensive working knowledge of costume construction, alteration, equipment, techniques, and practices standard to the theatrical industry. They must also have a comprehensive working knowledge of the wigs, makeup, and related equipment, techniques, and practices standard to the theatrical industry.



Key Responsibilities



- The Wardrobe Department Head is a seasonal, full-time position and is guided by Wilma Theater’s agreement with IATSE Locals 8 and 799.

- Plan and supervise the purchase, construction, alteration, use and care of costumes for Wilma Productions, rentals, and events.

- Represent the Costumes Department at Production Meetings

- Meet with designers, directors and stage managers to assess Costume needs for Wilma Theater productions, rentals, and events.

- Prepare detailed task-lists, schedules, and plans as needed for all Costume needs.

- Provide costumes and related materials for all rehearsals and performances per the direction of directors, designers, stage management, and Production Manager.

- Attend all production meetings and technical rehearsals.

- Research and manage costume rentals necessary for productions.

- Hire, schedule, and manage additional labor for the Costume Department as needed.

- Manage costume budgets, receipts, and records to ensure effective use of financial resources

- Lead Costumes Department in all performances as a member of the crew.

- Serve as lead dresser for Wilma Productions, rentals, and events.

- Perform daily costume notes and maintenance during productions, rentals, and events.

- Collaborate with Stage Management to maintain integrity and durability of costumes, wigs, hair, makeup, and all related design elements throughout productions.

- Manage costume stock, storage, and common areas to ensure safety and security.

- Supervise maintenance and organization of costumes, equipment, materials, and costume storage areas at theater, rehearsal studio, and off-site storage.

- Maintain up-to-date inventories of costume stock.

- Manage incoming and outgoing costume rentals and loans.

- Supervise the Costumes Department activities to maintain safe work practices.

- Contribute to the overall work of the Wilma Theater and Production Department.

- Collaborate and assist other Production Department members as appropriate.

- Collaborate and assist other Wilma Theater departments and staff as is appropriate for Wilma events, promotions, or activities.

- Comply with Theater policies, practices, and procedures.



Requirements



Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with reasonable accommodation.



- B.A. in liberal arts with an emphasis on theater or costumes preferred but not required and three years of related experience, or a combination of equivalent experience and training.

- Highly proficient and skilled in sewing and costume construction, alteration, maintenance, and organization.

- Knowledge of fabric cleaning techniques to effectively maintain costumes.

- Knowledge of fashion, hair, and costume history and the principles of design to support production integrity.

- Computer skills, specifically with Microsoft Office Suite, to manage wardrobe department spending reconciliation and communicate with other departments.

- Ability to foster positive working relationships.

- Ability to organize and synthesize varied information into actionable labor assignments.

- Ability to spend significant time engaged in tasks involving repetitive motion.

- Experience, ability and commitment to working with diverse groups in terms of gender expression, race, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, and class.



Physical Requirements



The Wardrobe Department Head is a working member of the crew. Work requires a moderate amount of physical activity for extended periods of time. Workdays require a lot of standing and walking. Work will also require lifting and carrying moderate weights, over short distances. Ability to access all technical spaces in the theater. Ability to climb stairs while carrying items. Sometimes climbing ladders. Working well in dark spaces.



Location and Schedule



Most of the work will be taking place at the theater at 265 S. Broad Street. The Wardrobe Department Head will occasionally be asked to work offsite for Wilma events and engagements. There is also some limited travel required, between the Wilma Theater on 265 S. Broad Street and the rehearsal studio space within the Philadelphia city limits.



The schedule is to be determined by the Head of Wardrobe, in conjunction with Production Manager for all hours worked on the build. The tech-week hours and show-run hours are dictated by the show’s duration and schedule. Our production schedule includes most nights and weekends, during a run.



Compensation and Benefits



This is a full-time, hourly role with compensation of $26.25/hour per the I.A.T.S.E Collective Bargaining Agreement.



Benefits include holiday pay, accrued paid sick leave, and additional Wilma employee benefits such as complimentary tickets to Wilma productions, parking discount, and employee discounts at Good Karma Cafe.



COVID-19 Vaccine Policy



The Wilma Theater strongly recommends all employees, whose work requires their physical presence on-site at spaces managed and operated by The Wilma Theater, to be fully vaccinated and up to date with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (bivalent) vaccine. Being “fully vaccinated” and “up to date” as defined by the CDC, is more than 14 calendar days following receipt of a final dose of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) authorized vaccine.



How to Apply



Applications will be open until October 23, 2024, with the desired start on November 25, 2024.



Please send a resume and letter of interest as a single PDF attachment with your name and subject line “Wardrobe Department Head candidate” to hr@wilmatheater.org



Mission Statement



The Wilma Theater creates living, adventurous art, presenting bold, original, well-crafted, thought-provoking productions that represent a range of voices, viewpoints, and styles. The Wilma’s organizational values were developed through conversations with Wilma staff, board, and HotHouse Company members. Our organizational values are curiosity, courage, care, rigor, joy, collaboration, and liberation.



Equal Opportunity Statement



The Wilma Theater is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or public assistance status in the recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, transfer, layoff, recall and termination of employees. The Wilma is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment. Those who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other members of underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.
Salary: $26.25/hour