Head of Wardrobe

Company Overview

Based in Stratford, Ontario, the Stratford Festival is one of the world’s foremost repertory theatre companies. It operates year round, presenting a season of about a dozen plays each year between the months of April and November, a rich stream of digital content and hundreds of Forum events, designed to deepen understanding of the plays. For every person a theatregoer sees on our stages, we have seven people working behind the scenes, some of the world’s most dedicated and experienced arts workers. At this time we are undergoing a culture shift to support anti-racism and anti-oppression in all areas of our work, including play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, production, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors. Members of equity deserving groups are always encouraged to apply.

Job Description

Head of Wardrobe

In collaboration with the Costume Director and the other Heads of Wardrobe, this position is responsible for budgeting, planning and executing the costumes for their designated multiple productions. They are responsible for ensuring a high quality product is presented on stage, and that costumes meet artistic and budgetary requirements while serving the needs of the designer, director and actor.  This position will also have non-show related responsibilities. This position reports to the Costume Director and is a member of the Wardrobe Management Team within the Production Wardrobe Department.

 Responsibilities:

·       Organize all aspects of designated productions including: meeting with the designers, costing productions, attending fittings, update the Designers and Costume Director on the progress of the shows, prepare dresser sheets, attend production meetings, dress rehearsals and previews and distribute the resulting notes, assist in pulling stock costumes.

• Meet all production deadlines
• Assist with season planning, personnel requirements and determining workload assignments
• Track labour costs and adhere to budgets for designated productions and common accounts
• Collaborate with members of other production departments: Wardrobe Running, Wigs & Make Up, Stage Management, Design, Props and TDs
• Facilitate the coordination of pre-rehearsal fittings
• Input, update and maintain costume information in the Costume Plot Program 
• Organize and maintain wardrobe spaces & equipment
• Support the Costume Director, Heads of Wardrobe and Costume Coordinator as needed
• Deliver costume presentations to key stakeholders
• Uphold and implement the Festival’s Health & Safety standards 

Qualifications:

• ·       Minimum of 5 years’ experience in wardrobe management, preferably in a performing arts industry
• ·       Post-secondary degree and/or equivalent education an asset
• ·       Thorough knowledge of wardrobe construction and sewing applications required
• ·       Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with an emphasis on Excel
• ·       Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• ·       Collaborative and positive attitude
• ·       Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset

 Preference will be given to candidates with experience in repertory theatre, a field related to technical theatre or experience in an equivalent field such as film and television.

 This full-time contract position is located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin October 17, 2023.

 Job Type: Full Time Contract for a 12 month term with the possibility to extend into a Full Time Permanent position.