Production Apprentice, Costume Stitching

Description:   

Apprentices are trained as Costume Stitchers. They work directly with professional Costume Shop Management and Costume Shop Staff on numerous productions. This position will help refine and strengthen the skills necessary to work as a professional Costume Stitcher. This is a full-time position. Work hours are Monday through Friday 9:00- 5:00pm. All work will be in done in-person.

 

Compensation:

The salary is $18.50 per hour for 40 weeks, or a contracted amount of $29,600.00 for the school year. 

 

About the Costume Shop: The Costume Shop consists of a talented team of artisans who support Juilliard’s students in a professional atmosphere. As part of the Production Department, their work is an integral part providing the highest caliber production experience for the gifted students for whom public performance is a keystone to their training.

 

About the Professional Apprentice Program: This program offers a unique and immersive training opportunity for emerging technicians and administrators in the performing arts. It is widely recognized that practical training programs are essential for aspiring arts professionals to secure sustainable employment in the field. For more than four decades, the program has successfully prepared recent graduates, early-career professionals, and individuals undergoing career transitions for employment in the cultural sector. This is achieved through hands-on experience, professional development activities, and networking and mentorship opportunities. Details can be found on the Juilliard Website's Professional Apprentice Program Page.

 

Working at Juilliard 

Founded in 1905, The Juilliard School is a world leader in performing arts education. The school’s mission is to provide the highest caliber of artistic education for gifted musicians, dancers, and actors from around the world so that they may achieve their fullest potential as artists, leaders, and global citizens. 

Excellence and professionalism are important guides in how we go about our work, but we also connect to the mission as individuals in the workplace. We thrive because of our variety of backgrounds and our ability to be open and honest, and we also thrive because we enjoy each other’s company. We believe that each employee has the responsibility to help shape the Juilliard organizational culture, and we provide opportunities to participate in team-building throughout the year. Our organizational values focus on excellence, creative enterprise, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. 

We encourage you to read more about how we achieve our mission on our website, juilliard.edu.  

 

Role Responsibilities:  

Reports daily to Costume Shop and Wardrobe Management to include: Director of Costumes, Costume Shop Manager, Costume Design Coordinator, Costume Shop Office and Business Manager, Drapers, First Hands Wardrobe Supervisor, Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor. 

• Reports frequently to the Director of the Apprentice Program.
• Work one on one with the Juilliard Costume Shop staff, playing a vital role in the daily operations of the Costume Shop
• Function as a Costume Stitcher supporting Drapers, First Hands and the Costume Shop Management team with duties that may include but are not limited to:
• Perform industrial and domestic machine sewing, serging and hand stitching.
• Stitch, alter and repair costumes for stage.
• Document alterations performed on rental garments for restoration.
• Wash and roll fabrics as needed.
• Assist with dyeing, painting, aging/ distressing, millinery.
• Assist with taking yearly student measurements and maintaining measurement database.
• Assist with the restocking of the fitting room and costume stock as well as general supplies, informing the Costume Shop Manager of items required.
• Fulfill maintenance duties on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis in the costume shop and storage areas.
• Report to all scheduled calls. 

 

Minimum Requirements:  

All apprentices will need basic knowledge of the craft they intend to pursue. As such, we are asking for any of the following training: Bachelor’s Degree towards related field; Related professional experience or transferable skills; A combination of educational, professional experience, or transferable skills.

• Passion and basic knowledge of the intended craft
• Bachelor’s Degree, or related professional experience and transferable skills, or a combination of both 
• Ability to contribute to the process in a fast-paced environment
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Self-motivated, responsible and creative

 

Preferred Background:  

• Undergraduate degree focused on theatrical costumes
• One to two years of professional or collegiate costume experience
• Work experience with at least one professional theater or costume shop
• Professional sewing experience
• Ability to operate industrial and domestic sewing machines and sergers
• Basic hand sewing skills
• Basic understanding of garment construction
• Working knowledge of costume history
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office

 

Benefits:

• All Juilliard performances are free to Juilliard employees
• Discounts on day-of tickets to partner organizations at the Lincoln Center campus. 
• Tuition-free Extension classes. Please take a look at options here.
• Generous paid time off, including personal leave, sick leave, and scheduled school holidays
• A culture of excellence, best practice, and employee engagement with like-minded colleagues

 

Nondiscrimination Policy: 

The Juilliard School is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its relations with its faculty, staff, students, and other members of the Juilliard community, and does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, alienage, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, physical or mental disability, medical condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, partnership status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal law. This nondiscrimination policy covers, but is not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, benefits, rates of pay and other forms of compensation as well as student admission, access, and treatment in school programs and activities.