Cutter/Draper/Tailor

Company Overview:

The 5th Avenue Theatre is one of America’s leading musical theaters.

As a nonprofit company and our region’s largest performing arts employer, we spread the joy of great musicals, enrich the community with this art form, and give the Pacific Northwest a front-row seat to original powerhouse productions that light up marquees and audiences all the way to Broadway.  Through our nationally acclaimed education programs, we reach more than 75,000 young people with programs designed to develop new musicals and ensure the next generation of great musical storytelling.

We share a core belief that Musical Theatre is critical to uplifting and reflecting the humanity around us, and that The 5th Avenue is a vital resource for Seattle, Downtown, and The Pacific Northwest.  Our diversity of people and talents are unified behind these truths, working hard to make great art and sustain a great work culture of belonging & inclusion.

Applications from those who have been traditionally underrepresented in the theatrical industry are strongly encouraged. We are striving for our staff to be inclusive of a diverse and vibrant community that represents multiple identities, perspectives & influences.

• Position: Cutter/Draper/Tailor
  
• Department: Production
• Reports to:  Costume, Wardrobe & Hair Director and Costume Shop Floor Manager

• FLSA Classification: Hourly; work schedule varies with the production schedule and includes periodic overtime, evening, and weekend hours. Work weeks vary per year depending on the amount of shows performed.
• Compensation: The pay rate is the current IATSE, Local No. 887 contract rate of $41.89 an hour.
• Benefits: Benefits are provided through Local No. 887 according to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and include deferred comp, retirement, and healthcare.
• Work Locations: Downtown Seattle. The 5^th Avenue Theatre and administrative office located within Skinner Building (1326 5^th Avenue).

Position Summary

The Cutter/Draper/Tailor is responsible for creating the patterns used to fabricate a costume for a specific actor using the Costume Designer’s sketch as a guide. Discussion with and direction from the Costume Designer and Costume, Wardrobe and Hair Director will determine style, special needs, and level and cost of construction. The Cutter/Draper/Tailor supervises a team of First Hand and Stitchers in the construction of the costume from muslin mockup (if needed) through finished garment. The Cutter/Draper/Tailor is also responsible for all alterations to existing costumes whether pulled, purchased or rented, and the organization of garments to transfer to stage.  The Cutter/Draper/Tailor will be involved in the building and alteration of both male- and female-presenting clothing, and a solid knowledge of structured women’s wear and draping skills in addition to flat patterning/tailoring skills is a plus.  Demonstrated experience in both period and modern clothing is a necessity as is an understanding of period silhouettes.

This position is represented by IATSE, Local No. 887.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Create the patterns used to fabricate a costume for a specific actor through flat patterning or draping.
• Cut fabric from patterns for assembly by the team’s First Hand and Stitchers.
• Advise on need for additional fabric and interfacing (not chosen by the designer) for all costumes under their supervision by quantity, style, and scheduled use so all ordering can be consolidated with other teams’ needs.
• Fit costumes to actor whether built, pulled, purchased or rented and supervise all necessary alterations.
• Supervise and delegate team members to ensure that production of the work is expedited within scheduled deadlines and in priority order.
• Communicate clear and specific instructions to First Hands and Stitchers and collect, digest, and distribute information from production calendars, costume plots, and rehearsals notes.
• Demonstrated proficiency in flat pattern making and in draping and the sculptural use of fabric.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of costume construction techniques including men’s and women’s tailoring.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of alterations and various rigging techniques.
• Working knowledge of costume history.
• Good working knowledge of fabric types, uses, and limitations.
• Good basic management skills and interpersonal communication skills.
• Effectively communicate and work closely with the design team to understand their vision
• Maintain safe working conditions in keeping with AEA and OSHA standards.
• Perform work in a manner that is consistent with the 5th Avenue Theatre’s Community Agreements.
• Participates and actively engages in Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.
• Be an active participant in the 5th Avenue Theatre’s work towards equity, diversity and inclusion and accountability and becoming an anti-racist organization by participating in all trainings and workshops and actively working implementing learned skills and policies in your department.
• This job description is not exhaustive and is subject according to future changes/development.

Essential Knowledge and Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position will possess most of these skills and qualifications, or relevant experience and achievements to help them meet needs of the role.

• Proven experience in handling production and design processes on large scale productions, ideally musicals.
• Experience in de-escalating conflict using clear communication, both oral and written.
• Ability to communicate about body types, hair types, skin tones and all genders using respectful, equitable and inclusive language.
• An equivalent combination of a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatrical Costume Construction and/or Master’s Certificate in Couture or Costume Construction from an accredited design school or a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a professional shop advancing to a Tailor/Cutter position for at least 3 of those years.
• Demonstrated creative judgment, excellent problem-solving skills and detail-oriented.
• Must be able to meet deadlines and adapt and pivot with changing priorities as well as attend to numerous projects concurrently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Foster and maintain a healthy, productive, kind and collaborative work environment
• Ability and willingness to exercise professional courtesy and discretion at all times and maintain confidentiality as required.
• Comply with all OSHA regulations for creating and maintaining a safe work environment.

Physical Requirements

•         Able to work quickly and accurately in a complex and fast-moving environment.
•         Minor physical lifting required, 10- 25 pounds.
•         Must be able climb stairs and perform quick changes in dark backstage spaces.
•         Sit or stand for long periods of time with minimal accommodations.
•         Ability to observe details at close and far range.

Other Benefits

•         Reduced parking near the theatre.
•         Complimentary and reduced-cost tickets to most shows.

Additional Requirements:

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background and reference checks.

To Apply

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume & 3 references by August 31, 2024 to careers@5thavenue.org.

Please include Cutter/Draper/Tailor in the subject line.

The first round of interviews will be conducted via Zoom the week of September 9, 2024. Final interviews will be either in person or via zoom the week September 16, 2024, with a projected start date of October 14, 2024.