Job Title: Wardrobe Supervisor
Department: Production
Reports To: Costume Shop Manager
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
ABOUT FIRST STAGE
First Stage, Milwaukee's premiere non-profit theater for young people and families, is a nationally acclaimed professional theater company drawing annual audiences of more than 120,000 people. First Stage's production season includes four to five mainstage shows at the Todd Wehr Theater, as well as our First Steps and Young Company Series of productions at Goodman Mainstage Hall at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center - a total of more than 400 performances annually. First Stage also offers Theater in-Education programs, serving 20,000 students in classrooms annually throughout southeastern Wisconsin. The First Stage Theater Academy, the largest and most high-impact training program of its kind in the nation, teaches "life skills through stage skills" to nearly 2,000 young people ages 3 - 18 each year.
FIRST STAGE is committed to dismantling structures that may prevent ALL people from applying for employment with us. FIRST STAGE celebrates the richness of our world by cultivating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity as they inspire the creativity that nurtures great art, artists, and audiences. FIRST STAGE strongly encourages candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply.
FIRST STAGE is an equal opportunity employer and as such, we consider individuals for employment according to their abilities and performance. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, age, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.
Position Summary:
The Wardrobe Supervisor will be an integral part of the Costume Shop Team in supporting productions between two theaters. The Wardrobe Supervisor will plan and run costume tracking and changes backstage during productions at the Todd Wehr theatre, and will assist in the construction, alteration, and maintenance of costume pieces for First Stage productions for the weeks they are not in show run. The person in this position will work Wednesday through Sunday when they are in show run and will then switch to a Monday through Friday schedule, as needed, during costume builds. Given First Stage+rsquo;s commitment to age-appropriate casting, this position will have a high level of interaction with young performers as well as adult union actors and crew.
Compensation:
$17.50 per hour position expected to work 40 hours per week with opportunities for overtime. First Stage provides a competitive benefit package that includes but is not limited to the following: health/dental/vision coverage, vacation and paid holidays, as well as a 403(b) plan.
Employment Dates:
This position is seasonal and will run from September 15, 2025 through May 24, 2026 with the option to renew should both parties agree.
To Apply:
Send resume, cover letter, and 3 work references to production@firststage.org with the subject line:
Wardrobe Supervisor: (First Name, Last Name)
No phone calls, please. Application submission period will remain open until the position is filled.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Create running lists and costume tracking for each assigned production.
- Assign specific duties to all wardrobe crew members.
- Communicate and coordinate with Stage Management on any show-related needs, including, but not limited to, entrance and exit plots, costume presets, and run-of-show needs.
- Identify and facilitate quick changes as needed. Coordinate the needs of any given quick change in rehearsal and performance.
- Create and execute a proper cleaning schedule for all garments.
- Attend designer run-throughs, technical rehearsals, and performances.
- Altering or mending costumes using various techniques/machinery, including hand sewing, domestic and industrial sewing machines, and sergers.
- Laundering, ironing, and general maintenance of costumes.
- Assisting with the application and removal of wigs.
- Load costumes into and out of the theater space.
Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university; or two to four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Previous experience in the following areas is required:
- Working backstage
- Hand Sewing
- Use of industrial and domestic sewing machines, sergers, and industrial irons
- Basic use of Outlook, Excel, and Google Sheets
Previous experience in the following areas is strongly preferred:
- Wig styling and/or maintenance
- Working with young people
- Ability to maintain a positive work environment by communicating and behaving in a positive manner with all artists, staff, and stakeholders from a variety of experience levels and backgrounds
- Prior experience working in the entertainment industry is strongly preferred
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Valid driver+rsquo;s license
Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will split their work between the Costume Shop located at Milwaukee Youth Arts Center and Todd Wehr Theater located in the Marcus Center for Performing Arts based on show schedules. This position's schedule requires early morning, late night, and weekend hours. The Wardrobe Supervisor plays an important role to help meet the needs of adult and young performers backstage.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- This employee may experience prolonged periods of standing and stationary work.
- Must have knowledge or willingness to learn proper PPE standards and wear proper protection while using hazardous materials.
- This position requires kneeling, getting up and down from the floor, climbing stairs, and lifting.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.
