Job Summary

Note: To be considered for this position, candidates must include a cover letter specifying their interest in and qualifications for this position. The cover letter should be the first page of your resume and uploaded as one document.

Salary: This is a full time / seasonal job working the production year (37 or 38 weeks) from mid-August to the end of April annually. Salary range is $960 - $1,040 per week. The posted salary listed would be the full time - 12 month salary.

As a comprehensive performing arts school set in one of the world's finest public institutions of higher education, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) is deeply engaged in the creation, practice, scholarship, and pedagogy of music, theatre, and dance. We aim to provide leadership, nationally and internationally, in all three fields. We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the University. SMTD is committed to sharing values of diversity & inclusion in order to achieve and sustain excellence.  Our work includes promoting an inclusive space welcome to all.

University Productions is the producing unit of the school.  It presents nine fully mounted main stage shows each season, serving the Departments of Theatre & Drama, Musical Theatre, Dance, and Voice in three different venues. These productions are directed by faculty and guest directors; designed by faculty, students, and guests; and crewed by performance and Design & Production majors. Design & Production majors work as stage managers, shop assistants, and technicians for each production; experienced students may design costumes, sets, or lighting for these productions. University Productions also manages the five main performance halls on behalf of the University.

Responsibilities*

Basic Responsibility

1. Manage the wardrobe operations of nine theatrical productions produced by University Productions
2. Provide associated costume-construction services when assigned

Tasks to be Performed as Wardrobe Manager

• Attend dress rehearsals, occasional production meetings, quick-change rehearsals, and run-throughs to organize wardrobe. Train and oversee student wardrobe crews in backstage procedures, quick-changes, load-in, strike, costume maintenance, and backstage hygiene. Coordinate backstage schedule and wardrobe paperwork with shop manager, costume designer, stage management and wig/makeup personnel. Communicate wardrobe notes with the designer and shop manager. Give feedback on job performance of student wardrobe crews.
• Provide instructions and training to wardrobe crew for the nightly care of each garment. Make sure that each performer has all their garments labeled and at hand. Produce wardrobe paperwork for the student crew and performers using proprietary inventory database (Wardrobe Wizard).
• Oversee the transport of costumes during load-in and strike from the shop to theater for the ten main stage productions. Manage the laundry, clean up, and dry cleaning of costumes after strike.
• Be available for urgent repairs during scheduled performances

Secondary Costume Tasks to be Performed 

• When assigned by the costume shop manager due to pressing production deadlines, fabricate costumes, costume elements, or costume crafts according to the designs of the costume designer within the parameters of the production budget.
• Sew or alter assigned costumes that are built, purchased, rented or pulled from stock.
• Coordinate and partner with other shop staff to solve production problems and to find solutions to working with unusual materials. Help ensure the shop goal of having all assigned costumes ready for use at each first-dress rehearsal.

General Duties to be Performed

• Assure safe work practices and compliance with MIOSHA regulations, especially regarding the proper use of solvents and related equipment.
• Assist student designers on the process of realizing their designs (faculty will advise on aesthetics).
• Help with the specification and recommendation of new equipment or the modification of existing equipment to meet operational or special production needs.
• Help with occasional special projects and facility improvements.

Required Qualifications*

• A Bachelor's degree in costuming, or the equivalent combination of education and experience with a recognized professional company, is necessary.
• Experience in wardrobe operations, and Google Sheets and Microsoft excel (can maintain complex spreadsheets), is necessary.
• This position is required to work a flexible 40 hour per week schedule, including nights and weekends during production runs.
• The ability to sew and to repair costumes is necessary. The ability to operate an industrial steam iron is necessary.
• This position routinely moves various equipment, such as wardrobe racks, weighing up to 50lbs across campus for various needs and occasionally climbs ladders.
• This position involves traveling to various locations on and off campus to deliver materials.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse communities and cultures

Desired Qualifications*

• A broad knowledge of costume history and garment type is desirable.
• Experience entering wardrobe information into a relational database is desirable
• Experience with Macintosh systems and FileMaker Pro is desirable.
• Some experience with wigs & make-up is desirable.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States.  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Background Screening

A pre-employment background check must be conducted before a candidate may receive a firm offer of employment to a staff position at the University of Michigan.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.