McCarter Theatre Center
Princeton, NJ
US

DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT: Production, Costumes

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time; Seasonal; Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

REPORTS TO: Costume Supervisor

BENEFITS INCLUDE: Medical, vision, and dental insurance, flexible and health spending accounts, paid vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, access to free parking within less than 1-mile radius, as well as other perks.

LOCATION & SCHEDULE: This is an in-person position reporting to our costume shop located at 755 Alexander Road in Princeton, NJ. Schedule may include occasional nights and weekends, as scheduled in advance. Standard weekly schedule is Monday through Friday, 9am – 5:30pm, with 40 hours guaranteed.

START DATE: This position will be filled with a start date as early as July 1^st, 2024 and runs for 39 weeks in the 2024 – 2025 season. In future seasons, position contract dates will be flexible based on production needs, but no shorter than 39 weeks per year.

Position Summary

Join McCarter Theatre Center as a Draper or Tailor in our Costumes team and become an integral part of the creative process behind our theatrical productions. As a member of our steadfast Production and Costumes team, you'll bring your expertise in draping and tailoring to life, crafting intricate costumes that enhance the storytelling on stage and off. Working closely with Costume Designers, and the Costume Supervisor and larger Costumes staff, you'll contribute to the realization of artistic visions, ensuring that each costume reflects the character and the overall aesthetic of the production. Whether bringing historical authenticity to period pieces or pushing creative boundaries with contemporary designs, you'll play a vital role in creating remarkable moments that transport audiences to new worlds. If you're passionate about the art of costume craftsmanship and thrive in a collaborative, energetic atmosphere, we invite you to join us at McCarter and help shape the visual tapestry of our future productions.

Essential Functions & Duties

· Gain familiarity with the script, time period, and costume design for each production.

· With the Costume Designer, ascertain the design and construction details of each assigned costume.

· Prepare and conduct fittings for assigned costumes.

· Attend to and/or delegate Costume Craft needs (dyeing, distressing, painting, millinery, shoe notes, and other craftwork.) as required.

· Assist with the load-in of costumes to the theater for technical rehearsals.

· Attend technical rehearsals as scheduled; complete notes as given by the Designer and Costume Supervisor; give clear instructions to the Wardrobe and Wig Supervisor for any special care items.

· Assist the Wardrobe department as needed, including providing occasional show crew coverage.

· Maintain organization and cleanliness in the costume shop, storage spaces, wardrobe rooms, dressing rooms, and laundry areas to facilitate efficient workflow and ensure a safe working environment.

· Prioritize safe working practices while embodying McCarter's safety and code of conduct policies to maintain a secure environment for all staff and guest artists.

· Actively participate in the work to make McCarter an anti-racist theater by seeking opportunities to enhance inclusivity and equity within the Production department, aligning with and exhibiting our core values of "justice and joy, beauty and belonging."

Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in pattern drafting and draping or tailoring.
• Knowledge of and experience in a variety of costume construction techniques, including, but not limited to, dyeing, distressing, craft work, fabric modification, millinery, leather work, mask making, etc.
• Strong proficiency in both hand and machine sewing, with a keen eye for detail and precision; ability to execute complex stitching and seam finishes to achieve costumes of exceptional quality.

· Thorough understanding and practical experience with a wide range of costume industry machinery, including sewing machines, irons, cutting tools, and other specialized equipment, with the capability to operate and maintain machinery efficiently and safely to support costume production processes.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fostering positive working relationships with colleagues, both full- and part-time, and artists across various departments.

• Ability to provide guidance and instruction in a respectful and encouraging manner.

· Flexibility and adaptability to accommodate evolving production requirements and schedules, including evening and weekend work.

· Demonstrated openness to learning new methods of construction, skills, and equipment, coupled with a commitment to embracing and implementing inclusive practices that cultivate an anti-racist and employee-first culture within the costume shop and production department

· Exhibit a critical consciousness and genuine interest in promoting equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace values and practices while working with individuals of diverse needs, personalities, and work styles, and employing an optimistic and solution-oriented mindset towards fostering inclusivity and support within the team environment.

Work Environment

· Led by our core values, McCarter fosters and expects a culture of care and respect for the wellbeing of our staff.

· This position entails extended periods of standing and sitting, manual dexterity for operating office equipment and sewing equipment, and the ability to read and interpret documents, while occasionally requiring lifting and carrying objects up to 40 pounds with or without assistance, engaging in repetitive tasks, walking, bending, and reaching within various work environments, including stairs and stepladders. Candidates should be comfortable with these physical demands and able to maintain productivity and focus throughout the workday.

· Work will primarily be completed in the costume shop located at 755 Alexander Rd, Princeton, NJ and the wardrobe spaces and backstage areas of the two theaters located at 91 University Pl, Princeton, NJ with HVAC cooling/heating.

· Employees may be asked to use a personal cell phone in order to access authenticator apps and related software necessary for work credentials/multi-factor authentication (MFA). Applicants should be comfortable using their personal devices for these purposes as part of their job responsibilities, as workarounds cannot be guaranteed in order to access certain platforms.

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of McCarter.

Organizational Overview

McCarter is one of the country's flagship theatres, a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts, and a key cultural anchor for Central New Jersey. Located on the campus of Princeton University and incorporated as an independent, charitable nonprofit, the company is a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages.

A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence traces back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. A home for new play development and world premieres, the company has launched numerous works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world.

Among the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 7,500 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust arts-in-education offerings. The company offers more than 20 annual in-school residencies in classrooms in Princeton and Trenton, hosts schools from throughout the region for student matinee performances, and offers need-based scholarships to every one of its dozens of educational after-school and summer programs each year. Co-led by Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen and Executive Director Martin Miller, McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.

McCarter is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring, supporting, and promoting a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. As such, McCarter seeks team members who: contribute to a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to support an expansive artistic vision; are committed to engaging in ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression work collectively and individually; value collaboration, curiosity, flexibility, and an openness to continuous personal and professional growth. 

We encourage all candidates to apply, even if they do not currently meet all the qualifications. We know there are great candidates who may not have all the qualifications listed above but possess intuitive knowledge or other fully transferable skills. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. McCarter is committed to on-the-job training and mentorship.

If you are interested in supporting McCarter’s vision, we would love to hear from you.

Please email [email protected] with your name and “Tailor” or “Draper” in the subject line. Please let us know your skills and any applicable work experience. You do not need to submit a formal resume, although they are welcome. Please also mention where you heard about the position. We look forward to learning more about you!

McCarter Theatre Center is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in the application and hiring process for individuals with disabilities if needed and requested. To request disability accommodation, please contact (609) 258-6500 and connect with Human Resources.

SALARY

$30.00 – $30.00 per hour

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