Overview
Department: Production/ Costume Shop
Reports To: Director of Professional Apprentice Program, Director of Costumes, Costume Shop Manager, Costume Shop Design Coordinator, Costume Shop Office and Business Manager, Wardrobe Supervisor, Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor, Drapers, Firsthands
Exempt or Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt
Description:
The Costume Shop consists of a talented team of artisans who support Juilliard’s students in a professional atmosphere. As part of the Production Department, their work is an integral part providing the highest caliber production experience for the gifted students for whom public performance is a keystone to their training.
Apprentices are trained as Costume Stitchers. They will have an opportunity to develop skills used by Costume Crafts Artisans. They work directly with professional Costume Shop Management and Costume Shop Staff on numerous productions. A clear understanding of the theatrical costuming process is necessary. This position will help refine and strengthen the skills necessary to work as a professional Costume Stitcher and establish beginner skills in Costume Crafts. This is a full-time position. Work hours are Monday through Friday 9:00- 6:00 pm with occasional night and weekend calls. All work will be done in-person.
About the Professional Apprentice Program: This program offers a unique and immersive training opportunity for emerging technicians and administrators in the performing arts. It is widely recognized that practical training programs are essential for aspiring arts professionals to secure sustainable employment in the field. For more than four decades, the program has successfully prepared recent graduates, early-career professionals, and individuals undergoing career transitions for employment in the cultural sector. This is achieved through a combination of hands-on experience, professional development activities, and networking and mentorship opportunities.
For more information about the program, please refer to the Professional Apprentice Program Page on the Juilliard Website.
The salary for this position is $17.39 per hour. 38-41 week contracts are available for an annual salary of $26,432.80 – $28,519.60 (dependent on agreed contract dates).
Working at Juilliard
Founded in 1905, The Juilliard School is a world leader in performing arts education. The school’s mission is to provide the highest caliber of artistic education for gifted musicians, dancers, and actors from around the world so that they may achieve their fullest potential as artists, leaders, and global citizens.
Excellence and professionalism are important guides in how we go about our work, but we also connect to the mission as individuals in the workplace. We thrive because of our variety of backgrounds and our ability to be open and honest, and we also thrive because we enjoy each other’s company. We believe that each employee has the responsibility to help shape the Juilliard organizational culture, and we provide opportunities to participate in team-building throughout the year. Our organizational values focus on excellence, creative enterprise, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
We encourage you to read more about how we achieve our mission on our website, juilliard.edu.
Role Responsibilities:
- Reports daily to Costume Shop and Wardrobe Management: Director of Costumes, Costume Shop Manager, Costume Design Coordinator, Costume Shop Office and Business Manager, Drapers, Firsthands Wardrobe Supervisor, Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor.
- Report frequently to the Director of the Apprentice Program.
- Work one-on-one with the Juilliard Costume Shop staff, playing a vital role in the daily operations of the Costume Shop.
- Function as a Costume Stitcher supporting Drapers, Firsthands and the Costume Shop Management team with duties that may include but are not limited to:
- Perform industrial and domestic machine sewing, serging and hand stitching.
- Construct, alter and repair costumes for stage.
- Wash and roll fabrics as needed.
- Assist with dyeing, painting, aging / distressing, millinery.
- Assist with taking yearly student measurements and maintaining measurement database.
- Assist with the restocking of the fitting room and costume stock as well as general supplies, informing the Costume Shop Manager of items required.
- Fulfill maintenance duties on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis in the costume shop and storage areas.
Minimum Requirements:
- All apprentices will need basic knowledge of the craft they intend to pursue. As such, we are asking for any of the following training: Bachelor’s Degree towards related field; Related professional experience or transferable skills; A combination of educational, professional experience, or transferable skills.
- Ability to contribute to the process in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaboration and teamwork skills.
- Self-motivated, responsible and creative.
Preferred Background:
- Undergraduate degree focused on theatrical costumes.
- One to two years of professional or collegiate costume experience.
- Work experience with at least two professional theaters.
- Professional sewing experience.
- Ability to operate industrial and domestic sewing machines and sergers.
- Basic hand sewing skills.
- Basic understanding of garment construction.
- Working knowledge of costume history.
- Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office and cloud-based collaborative storage applications.
Why Work for Juilliard?
- All Juilliard performances are free to Juilliard employees
- We’re part of the Lincoln Center campus, with significant discounts on day-of tickets to many of our partner organizations
- Contribution to your 403(b) after 2 years of eligible employment
- Generous days-off policy, plus winter break and summer Fridays
- A culture of excellence, best practice, and employee engagement with like-minded colleagues
Nondiscrimination Policy:
The Juilliard School is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its relations with its faculty, staff, students, and other members of the Juilliard community, and does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, alienage, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, physical or mental disability, medical condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, partnership status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal law. This nondiscrimination policy covers, but is not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, benefits, rates of pay and other forms of compensation as well as student admission, access, and treatment in school programs and activities.