Production Apprentice, Assistant Costume Design

Description: 

Apprentices are trained as Assistant Costume Designers. They work directly with professional Costume Designers and Costume Shop Staff on numerous productions. A clear understanding of the theatrical costuming process is necessary. This position will help refine and strengthen the skills need to be a professional Costume Design Assistant. This is a full-time position. Work hours are Monday through Friday 9:00- 5:00 pm with occasional night and weekend calls. 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 provides immersive training for emerging performing arts technicians and administrators, addressing the need for practical training in the field. It is widely recognized that practical training programs are essential for aspiring arts professionals to secure sustainable employment in the field. For over four decades, it has 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, 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, Wardrobe Supervisor, Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor.

• Reports frequently to the Director of the Apprentice Program.
• Work one on one with Costume Designers and the Juilliard technical staff, playing a vital role in the daily operations of the Costume Shop
• Function as Costume Design Assistants supporting Costume Designers and the Costume Shop with duties that may include but are not limited to:
  • Build and maintain show bibles (print and digital).
  • Prepare and maintain show racks.
  • Swatch and purchase all fabrics, trims and notions for built garments.
  • Pull as needed from costume stock.
  • Shop as needed locally and online.
  • Procure, document, track and return all rented costumes as needed.
  • Maintain paperwork such as: pieces lists, plots, rental tracking, build packets, yardage estimates, rehearsal items inventories, fitting and dress rehearsal notes, wardrobe check in sheets.
  • Track and maintain show budgets under the supervision of the Design Coordinator, Office Manager and Shop Supervisor.
  • Monitor rehearsal reports and support all rehearsal costume requests under the supervision of Costume Shop and Wardrobe Supervisors.
  • Coordinate the scheduling of all costume fittings.
  • Attend, support and document all fittings and take notes on the alterations required.
  • Collect and monitor all alterations.
  • Report to all scheduled calls. 
  • Attend run-throughs as needed.
  • Attend all dress rehearsals for assigned shows. 

 

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 two professional theaters
• Professional Assistant Design experience
• Working knowledge of costume history
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office and G Suite applications

 

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. Feel free to browse available courses 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.