Department
JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC (BL-MUS-IUBLA)
Department Information
As one of the most comprehensive and acclaimed institutions for the study of music, the IU Jacobs School of Music (JSoM) plays a key role in educating performers, scholars, and music educators who influence music performance and education around the globe.
The more than 1,600 students who study at the Jacobs School of Music benefit from the intensity and focus of a conservatory combined with the broad academic offerings of a major university.
The essence of a great music school is its faculty, and the more than 180 full-time faculty members in residence at the IU Jacobs School of Music include performers, scholars, and teachers of international renown. In addition, many top musicians and scholars come to the school each year to give master classes and guest lectures or to serve as visiting artistic directors, conductors, and faculty.
The breadth and number of performance opportunities are unparalleled in college music study, with the school offering more than 1,100 performances a year, including fully staged operas and ballets. The school's facilities, including 5 buildings located in the heart of the IU Bloomington campus, comprise of outstanding recital halls, more than 170 practice rooms, choral and instrumental rehearsal rooms, and more than 100 offices and studios. The grandest facility is the Musical Arts Center, which features technical capabilities that are among the best in the nation.
Job Summary
Department-Specific Responsibilities
Patterns, constructs, fits, alters and refurbishes costumes for all operas and ballets every year (typically 6 operas and 3 ballets).
Creates a plan for the completion of costumes for every production in conjunction with the Costume Shop Manager, Costume Designer, and other staff or over-hire Drapers.
Develops patterns and cut fabrics when necessary for costume builds.
Conducts fittings for new and existing costumes, and determine and mark necessary alterations in collaboration with the Costume Designer.
Performs and supervise alterations and maintenance to pulled, purchased, or rented costume pieces.
Ensures the needs of the costume are addressed, including the time period, required movement of the performer, and time available for changing into or out of the costume.
Maintains timely delivery, excellence of product, and integrity of Designer's vision.
Ensures accuracy in labeling, alterations, and finishing work.
Instructs and supervises First Hands and Stitchers in the proper construction and alteration of costumes.
Maintains the flow of work and ensure all costumes are completed accurately and on schedule.
Ensures that sewing notes from each fitting are accurately recorded and communicated.
Assesses finished costumes to ensure all notes are completed accurately and to company standards.
Coordinates the completion of sewing notes and alterations from all dress rehearsals.
Measures costumes for all shows that use existing costumes.
Researches any period styles and techniques necessary to complete each costume.
Provides yardage estimates for any fabrics and trims required for each costume.
Provides labor hour estimates for assigned projects.
Communicates scheduling needs for labor and fittings.
Maintains a safe, comfortable, body-neutral working environment for all staff and performers.
Maintains a pleasant, well-functioning, professional work environment.
Monitors use of workroom supplies and request replenishment as necessary.
Helps maintain an clean and organized work environment.
Performs other duties as assigned.
General Responsibilities
Successfully executes the creation of all costumes and accessories for all opera and ballet productions in keeping with the high standards of the theater. Drafts and creates original patterns in muslin from designer's renderings or revises patterns from existing costumes. Cuts, drapes, stitches, finishes and tailors original, complex, sophisticated, detailed costumes or performs alterations or repairs of rented or in-stock costumes.
Provides expertise, leadership, and full supervision to costume shop staff in their construction of costumes and accessories. Meets with the costume designer, set designer, and stage directors, to discuss and provide advice concerning the details, goals, and objectives of the finished look of all costumes.
Recommends options and alternative methods, ideas, and aesthetic choices with an eye to maintaining budget constraints while also realizing artistic results. Manages and directs work-loads and schedules of staff, full time and hourly, to meet all production and performance deadlines and to complete all costumes in faithful accordance to the vision of the designer.
Communicates with all professional vendors and theaters regarding sales and rental of all materials, costumes, and notions. Oversees and is responsible for the resolution of costume problems or concerns. Researches period styles and techniques and coordinates with vendors and outside sources for materials and rentals.
Provides methods and creative problem solving for all projects. Leads all costume fittings with cast members of the opera and ballet productions communicating the status of the fittings with staff, designers, and executive director. Problem solves when situations arise such as the inadequate volume of fabrics or notions, construction of unusual designs, or poor fit or function of the costume.
Directs all organization and maintenance of the shop and extensive inventory of all costumes in stock. Meets with departments gathering and organizing all pertinent information regarding costuming from the choral department, musical staff, ballet department, stagers, repetiteurs, and artists. May assist in development of departmental budget.
Qualifications
EDUCATION
Required
High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED)
Preferred
Bachelor's degree in apparel design/construction, theater, clothing and textiles, or related field
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
4 years in costume design/construction or related field
Preferred
3 years supervisory experience in a costume shop
Professional experience in costume draping, patternmaking, construction, and tailoring of costumes.
SKILLS
Required
Proficient communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
Highly thorough and dependable
Possesses a high degree of initiative
Ability to build strong customer relationships
Preferred
Ability to interpret sketches, photographs, and drawings and translate the silhouette, proportion, and drape of designs into customized patterns for diverse body types
Knowledge of costume history in terms of clothing worn and historical patterning
Knowledge of a variety of costume construction techniques including hand and machine stitching, seams, closures, finishing details, lining, zippers, and alterations
Strong flat patterning skills
Strong draping skills
Ability to work with all types of fabric that require a variety of sewing techniques
Good collaborative skills and the ability to work well with others
Good communication skills and the ability to instruct students, Stitchers, and First Hands with varying degrees of sewing experience
Ability to use industrial sewing machines and sergers
Working Conditions / Demands
This role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate. This role frequently requires the ability to handle equipment. This role frequently requires the ability to remain stationary and ascend/descend ladders/stairs. This role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. The role requires the ability to detect items in close proximity as well as far away; discern between colors; detect objects in peripheral space of self; discern items in detail; and to have good depth perception. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
