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Job Description / Duties

Reporting to the Director of Production (DOP), the Head of Wardrobe will be responsible for realization of the costumes for VOA’s 22/23 Main Stage Productions: “The Pearl Fishers,” “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” and “The Flying Dutchman.” The individual is responsible for the organization, building, alteration, sourcing, and maintenance of costumes, including rental productions.

The Head of Wardrobe will be required to execute pre-production work including communication with the director, stage managers, and designers as required by the production. They will assist in the scheduling and operations of the wardrobe department including the supervision of additional assistants, cutters, sewers, builders and buyers, as approved and budget permits.

They will attend all production meetings, fittings, technical rehearsals and post-show notes. During the theatre technical rehearsal process, the Head of Wardrobe will make any adjustments necessary and will ensure the running crew is comfortable with tracking and techniques of the production.

The candidate should be a self-starter and a collaborative team member, who is comfortable intuiting designer visions and making judgement calls. They will have a calm and flexible outlook and be diplomatic in dealing with fluctuations in schedule and artistic challenges.

Anticipated dates of full-time commitment include, at minimum:

The Pearl Fishers | September 12 – November 4, 2022
A Midsummer’s Night Dream | January 3 – February 24, 2022
The Flying Dutchman | March 20 – May 12, 2022

Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyze script/libretto
• Maintain records of artist measurements
• Supervise and instruct any additional production assistants, costume assistants, cutters, sewers, tailers, builders, or buyers, as approved by the DOP
• Facilitate fittings
• Adjust and alter creations based on notes from directors, designers, DOP, stage management and performers
• Coordinate build, borrows, rentals or purchases of all costumes not in stock or in rental packages, as well as fabrics and supplies as needed
• Oversee and/or delegate hair, makeup and wigs requirements
• Attend all production meetings, room run, load-in, strike, dress rehearsals and post-show notes
• Deliver all finished costumes by piano & orchestra techs
• Teach techniques and operations to performers and running crews
• Document and track all show-related configurations
• Arrange cleaning and maintenance of all rental and stock costumes
• Stay within budget limitations for materials and labour as set forth by the DOP
• Adhere to Health and Safety Standards

Qualifications / Required Skills

Qualifications and Required Skills

• Superior communication and organizational skills
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Advanced level of proficiency in costume building, alteration and sourcing
• Comprehensive knowledge of theatrical practices
• Appreciation for live entertainment

Salary: $32-$38/h commensurate with experience & in accordance with IATSE VOA Shop Agreement, to be negotiated

Contact Information

Nicole Lamb
Director of Production
nlamb@vancouveropera.ca

Employer Profile

Founded in 1958, Vancouver Opera (VO) is the second largest opera company in Canada. It is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions; for its country-leading education programs, which have reached more than 1.6 million children and their families in more than 40 years; for its innovative and award-winning community programs; and for forging ground-breaking cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to new generations of Canadians in recent history.

Vancouver Opera believes in the essential value of the performing arts to the life of a great city and recognizes the power of opera to connect people to the universal human drama. In recent years, the company has intensified and broadened its role as a major creative, educational, and collaborative resource in the community.