Head of Wardrobe

Company Overview

Who We Are:

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 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.

The Stratford Festival is committed to ongoing work to support equity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression in all areas of our work. These areas include play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, production, design, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors.

Why You Should Apply:

• Creative work environment     
• Paid operational shutdown in December, with flexibility of days being used at alternative times during the year
• Group Insurance Benefits
• Employer matched RRSP
• Employee Assistance Program to encourage work-life balance and strong mental health
• Complimentary & discounted ticket offers and events
• Employee discounts on merchandise and event space
• Being a part of the magic of live theatre!

Job Description

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 while meeting all production deadlines.  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:

• Coordinate all aspects of costume design execution for multiple designated productions including: meeting with designers, producing budgets, attending fittings, updating designers and Costume Director on the progress of the shows, preparing dresser sheets, attending production meetings and dress rehearsals and distributing the resulting notes, and assisting in pulling stock costumes, as required.
• Assist with season planning, personnel requirements and assigning workloads to Production Wardrobe staff.
• Track labour costs and adhere to budgets for designated productions and common accounts.
• Collaborate with members of other production departments such as Wardrobe Running, Wigs & Make Up, Stage Management, Design, Props and TDs.
• Work closely with Designers and Assistant Costume Designers to ensure effective communication between Design, Wardrobe personnel and other departments.
• Facilitate the coordination of pre-rehearsal fittings and work with the Production Stage Manager, Costume Coordinator and Cutters to schedule regular fittings.
• Input, update and maintain costume information using in-house software, the Costume Plot Program.
• Oversee the ongoing organization and maintenance of wardrobe spaces & equipment.
• Support the rest of the Wardrobe Management team, as needed.
• Deliver costume presentations to key stakeholders.
• Adhere to the Stratford Festival Health & Safety Commitment and Procedures and ensure that safe work practices and policies are supported and enforced within reporting structure.
• Foster a caring and inclusive work environment consistent with all Stratford Festival policies on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum 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 is an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with an emphasis on Excel.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and the demonstrated ability to manage and work with teams professionally and effectively.
• Ability to work productively under pressure and successfully manage the demands of multiple productions simultaneously.
• Collaborative and positive attitude.

These positions are located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin October 28, 2024.

Openings: 1 Full-Time Permanent Position & 1 Full-Time Contract Position (October 28 – June 6, 2024)

Posting closes 5:00pm, September 29, 2024