Costume Designer

Costume Designer

Costume Designer

Chadwick School

Palos Verdes Peninsula, California

Chadwick School is an independent, K-12, coeducational day school dedicated to academic excellence, the development of exemplary character, and self-discovery through experience. A highly educated faculty and staff bring out the best in the talented student body through active learning, challenging academics, one-on-one mentoring, unparalleled global opportunities, nationally distinguished outdoor education and community service programs, outstanding athletic opportunities, and award-winning visual and performing arts.

The core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, fairness, and compassion are widely shared and fostered daily in classrooms, during co-curricular activities, and through the camaraderie of this close-knit community.

Located on a beautiful, 45-acre hilltop campus on the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, Chadwick enrolls over 830 students drawn from more than 45 Southern California communities.

Founded in 1935 by visionary educator Margaret Lee Chadwick, Chadwick is one of two schools operated by the Roessler Chadwick Foundation. In 2010, Chadwick International (CI) was formed in Songdo, South Korea, which expanded opportunities for students around the globe to benefit from a world-class Chadwick education.

Job Title: Costume Designer

Division/Department: 7-12th Grade 

Reports To: Performing Arts Manager          

Location: Palos Verdes, CA

Level/Grade: 7-12

Type of position/FLSA: Hourly Part-Time Seasonal

POSITION SUMMARY

This part-time position will be responsible for maintaining Chadwick's costume inventory and the design and implementation of costumes for four productions during the school year and pulling/purchasing costumes for Theater class performances as needed. The four major theater productions are:

1. The Upper School Fall Play: 11/7/24 – 11/9/24

2. The Middle School Play: 11/15/24 performance

3. The Upper School Musical: 2/20/25 - 2/22/25 performances

4. The Middle School Musical: 5/30/25 - 5/31/25 performances

We are looking for a creative costume designer who is excited to work with students within a highly innovative, collaborative performing arts department. 

Schedule:

This is a part-time position, working on-site as needed for each production. Production calendars are set with individual directors. Attendance at production meetings, dress rehearsals and productions is required. Dress rehearsals for Middle School productions are from 2:45 pm - 5:30 pm on weekdays and performance call times are from 5:00pm - 8:30pm. Dress rehearsals and performances for the Upper School productions will be from 5:00pm - 9:30pm plus a Saturday matinee performance for the Upper School Musical. This position will begin as soon as possible.

Responsibilities for all productions include:

• Weekly meetings (on Zoom or in person) with the director, production manager and creative team to discuss the design, vision, and production calendar, including deadlines, photo shoots, and dress rehearsal dates for each production.
• Attendance at photoshoot and all dress rehearsals and performances
• Pulling costumes from the costume inventory, ordering costume pieces, and fabricating pieces as necessary
• Assistance with cast make-up and hair, including wig application.
• Staying within budget and keeping accurate records of expenses.
• Scheduling costume fittings for students during the school day or during after-school time.
• Having costumes ready and on time for photoshoots, and dress rehearsals/performances
• Helping and/or working with the student costume crew during rehearsals and performances
• Responsible for organizing costume stock and keeping costume rooms neat and orderly, including cleaning and putting away costumes and materials after productions.
• Assist with costumes for theater class black box productions as needed.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Education, experience and skill requirements

REQUIRED AND PREFERRED EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated experience designing costumes for theater.
• Ability to meet deadlines and availability for the schedule as outlined.
• Clear, responsive, and effective communication skills.
• Must be skilled at makeup application, wig styling, bald cap application, and demonstrating basic hair and makeup techniques to students.

Compensation: $30-$35 per hour. Based on experience and qualifications. This position is not eligible for benefits.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

• Required to lift and carry up to a maximum of 25 lbs., in a correct manner consistent with the appropriate training provided by the School.
• Occasionally required to use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
• May use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.
• Required to sit while operating word processing equipment for several  hours daily, repetitive motion for typing and other keystroke needs.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.  This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures.  The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

CLEARANCES

Required Screenings: TB assessment Clearances: Livescan background check

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the position.

Salary : $30 - $35