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Job Description / Duties

Head of Wardrobe

The Badlands Amphitheatre is looking for a Head of Wardrobe for their 2024 production of The Canadian Badlands Passion Play in Drumheller, AB. The Canadian Badlands Passion Play tells an epic story of faith, hope & love based on the life of Christ. It is performed on Canada’s largest outdoor stage, with a company formed of professional and semi-professional actors (supplemented by volunteer actors), working with a professional crew.

Job Description:
The Head of Wardrobe manages the day to day workings of the costume shop and stitchers. They coordinate with the Costume Designer, Production Team, and Stage Management Team to ensure a smooth production process from setting up the department, managing fittings, running quick changes, preparing presets, assisting with costume repairs/alterations, to cleaning and striking costume stock for the off season.

Duties:
-Supervising Wardrobe Staff in the efficient set-up, operation, and maintenance of the Wardrobe Department Workshop, its costume stock, and equipment.
-Maintaining the organization of the shop to industry standards throughout the contract.
-Working within the seasonal budget assigned to the Wardrobe Department in collaboration with the Production Coordinator and Costume Designer, including tracking and documenting spending.
-Overseeing the construction, alteration, and repair of costume stock and working with Wardrobe Assistants to ensure that the work is completed in a timely manner.
-Coordinating with Stage Management to schedule and practice quick change rehearsals as required.
-Assisting the designer with tasks including (but not limited to): costume coordination, pulling or storing costumes, assisting in fittings, and general decision making.
-Booking fittings with the ASM according to designer needs and when the piece is expected to be needed in rehearsal.
-Catalogue and Sync On Set all costume pieces that are given to the actor, including when and how they wear each piece.
-Document (with industry standard) the ongoing progress of the building of a specific costume piece for a character, eg, “headgear is not in breakdown” or “gloves are being stitched”
-Ensure that all actors have a full and complete costume - everything is done from alterations to breakdown, before performance night.
-Tracking any "real" costume pieces being used in rehearsals and/or assigning rehearsal pieces.
-Assisting with construction, alteration, and repair of costume stock (including gluing, sewing, and repairing shoes), under the direction of the Costume Designer.
-Helping to input actor and costume data (with photographs) during costume fittings, and instructing actors on the proper wearing and laundering of the costume, including the removal of modern accessories (watches, sunglasses etc).
-Liaising with the stage management team and performers to resolve any difficulties or issues that arise once costumes are distributed.
-Managing and assisting with costume pre-sets and quick-changes during -Dress Rehearsals and Performances backstage (in collaboration with Stage Management).
-Coordinating and assisting Wardrobe Staff with the laundering of show laundry during Dress Rehearsals and Performances.
-Working with the Stage Management Team to coordinate costume returns after the final performance.
-Overseeing and assisting in the laundering, packing up, and winter storage of wardrobe stock and equipment during strike.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Qualifications/Requirements:
-Previous Head of Wardrobe experience is a huge asset, previous theatre (or film) wardrobe experience is required.
-Strong organizational and project management skills. Can confidently think ahead to manage projects and meet deadlines.
-Needs to be able to delegate according to skill set, speed, and accuracy.
-Proficient in cutting and drafting patterns.
-Confident using sewing machines and sergers, with knowledge on how to fix/troubleshoot them.
-Needs to be proficient/have experience in costume construction, quick changes, fittings, alterations, and following a costume track.
-Able to multitask as well as remain flexible and adaptable to a dynamic work environment.
-Able to remain calm and level headed under pressure.
-Previous experience managing and keeping a budget is an asset.
-Comfortable with using a computer for documenting processes, fittings, costume pieces etc

Additional Information

Important Information:
-This is a contract position from May 28 - July 27.
-The amphitheatre is an outdoor venue. We rehearse and perform in all kinds of weather, and on all kinds of terrain. While the wardrobe team does most of their work indoors, they will be working outside during the performances as well as a few rehearsals as required.
-The work week is six (6) days long with Tuesdays off, hours vary from day to day. During performances the work week shifts to three (3) days on and four (4) days off.
-Compensation is a contract amount starting at $7,500
-Accommodations available
-Meals are provided every Saturday (lunch) and Sunday (brunch)
-During the performances our crew backstage is required to be in costume.

Salary: Contract amount starting at $7, 500

Contact Information

Laura Cheverie
Production Coordinator
production@badlandsamp.com

Employer Profile

The Badlands Amphitheatre is a non-profit arts and culture venue located in the Canadian Badlands. Home to Canada’s largest outdoor stage, our 2,500-seat outdoor amphitheatre and indoor Badlands Arts Centre hosts the renowned Badlands Passion Play; the Canadian Icons Concert Series; Roots, Blues, & Barbecue; Lightfest: Winter in the Badlands; outdoor opera and much more.

With our spectacular natural setting, unique in the world, we create sustainable community through performance events (with economic, cultural, social, and environmental outcomes), increase awareness and skill in the arts, and encourage tourism by creating significant cultural attractions. The Badlands Amphitheatre has a mandate to produce, create, and host events; enable arts education, and promote tourism - all based on our values of community, creation and celebration.