Nebraska Wesleyan University invites applications for a Costume Shop Supervisor for the Theatre Arts program. The start date for this position would be August 2024.
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private university committed to the liberal arts with over 1600 undergraduates located in the capital city of Nebraska.
The incumbent in this position will work 40 hours per week over 10 months of each academic year. NWU offers a competitive wage and comprehensive benefits plan including Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Disability benefits, Retirement, almost 5 weeks of paid time off per year through vacation and holidays, and tuition remission for dependents.
Primary goals for this position include management of our on-site costume shop, using cutting, draping, crafting, and stitching skills, completion of costume construction and garment alterations, and managing student workers on department productions. NWU's extensive costume and props library is an asset available for production work in this position.
The successful candidate for this position will possess a high level of sewing and costuming expertise, initiative, self-motivation, commitments to safety and diversity, and be able to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and guest artists. Knowledge of other technical theatre areas such as make-up, hair and wigs, and costume props will be beneficial.
Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Department Chair, Manager of Theatre Operations, Production Coordinator and Technical Director, Scene Shop Supervisor, designers, and faculty for all campus theatre productions.
• Facilitate costume construction, costume crafting, and resource management for theatre program, including maintaining inventory, ordering supplies and new equipment, and tracking budgets.
• Attend scheduled production meetings, as needed, to supervise the construction, costume shop, and wardrobe aspects of theatre productions.
• Responsible for teaching and enforcing proper safety use and operation techniques when using tools and equipment in the costume shop.
• Supervise costume shop work study students and students doing practicum hours for classes.
• Ability to work independently to complete costume builds in times when there may be no shop workers.
• Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and guest directors.
• Must be able to work a variety of hours including possible nights and weekends during tech week prior to each production.

Qualifications

• Must have excellent sewing skills and knowledge of fashion history.
• Must have valid driver's license to source and pick up garments, equipment and supplies.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and use ladders to fill demands of the job.
• Ability to pattern, cut and drape, read and interpret costume renderings and designs.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, set and meet deadlines, help devise a production schedule for shop work, track budges, and work well under deadline pressures.
• Assist productions with make-up, hair and wigs, and props to compliment costume construction/selection.
• Working knowledge of how dance, movement, sound, and lights will impact costume construction and selection.
• Must have excellent communication and human relations skills, and the ability to work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and diverse populations.
• Must promote dignity and respect for all bodies and model and teach respect and boundaries to ensure a supportive environment throughout the costuming process.
• Degree in theatre or commensurate professional experience required. Supervisory experience preferred.

Commitment to Diversity
Diversity is a core value of Nebraska Wesleyan University's mission and we embrace it as a source of strength. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how they enhance and embrace this University core value in a diversity statement submitted as part of their application materials.
Nebraska Wesleyan University provides equal educational and employment opportunities to qualified persons in all areas of university operation without regard to religion or creed, age, genetic information, gender identity and expression, disability, marital status, race, or national or ethnic origin, in compliance with state and federal laws, including but not limited to Title XII, Title IX, and the ADA. E-Verify, EOE.
How to Apply
To apply, please upload a cover letter addressing qualifications, resume, and the names of three professional references at the following URL: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please visit the NWU website for more information about our institution: