Reports to: Resident Costume Designer, Costume Administrator
Works Closely with: Director of Production

Costume Staff
Supervises: Additional Costume Crew (as needed)
About Sarasota Opera
Sarasota Opera, which owns its 1926 historic theater that was renovated in 2008, produces four operas in
repertory from January to March, in addition to one opera and a Youth Opera production in the fall.
Additionally, throughout the opera season, Sarasota Opera offers special events and concerts. In addition
to Sarasota Opera’s productions and events, the William E. Schmidt Opera Theater hosts numerous arts
organizations from the Sarasota area.
In July 2019 Sarasota Opera purchased the opera costume collection of Malabar Ltd. Together with
Sarasota Opera’s existing costume inventory, the new Sarasota Opera Costume Studio forms the largest
collection of opera costumes available for rental in North America. The collection encompasses over 140
separate opera productions, over 40,000 costumes and nearly 100,000 individual pieces. Sarasota Opera
plans the construction of a new warehouse for the Sarasota Opera Costume Studio along with the
company’s set inventory.
Position Summary
The Assistant Costume Administrator works closely with the Resident Costume Designer and the
Costume Administrator in the daily operation, organization, and management of the Sarasota Opera
Costume Studio stock. The position will work with rental clients to fill their costume requests, coordinate
pulling and shipping of orders, evaluate costumes when they are returned post-rental, and return the
costumes to stock. The Assistant Costume Administrator will be responsible for maintaining all rental and
inventory records, reach out to new clients, follow up on inquiries and assist in preparing and executing
contracts.
Responsibilities – Sarasota Opera Productions

• Assist in pulling all costumes and costume elements for Sarasota Opera productions to the

calculate any additional cleaning or repair costs to be charged to the damage deposit or directly to
client.

• Work with Resident Designer on creating, executing and following up on contracts, billing, and

• Work on creating and maintaining costume inventory databases, photographing stock for the

• Work with marketing department, to help with mail merges, e blasts and other promotional

• Reaching out and following up with new and potential clients.

• Organized, self-motivated and comfortable working in a dynamic environment.
• Have some experience in traditional opera and working in a costume shop.
• Previous experience in costume rentals.
• Good understanding of the construction of period costumes and have basic hand and machine

Hours of Work
Full-time, requiring some flexibility in hours during production season (late Oct. – mid November,
January – March). Exempt.
Salary:
Salary $40,000- 45,000 depending on experience. Comprehensive medical benefits package. Paid time off
(no paid-time off during production season). Exempt position
To Apply:
Send resume with cover letter explaining your interest in the position along with the names and contact
information of three references to soajobs@sarasotaopera.org with “Assistant Costume Administrator” in
the Subject line. No phone calls. All applications are welcome, but only those who are being considered
will be contacted.
Sarasota Opera is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race,
color, national origin, religion, ancestry, sex, age, familial status, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or genetic information.