Performing Arts Costume Designer and Costume Studio Manager

George Fox University's Performing Arts Department is seeking a creative and motivated individual to serve on our team as the Performing Arts Costume Designer and Costume Studio Manager.

About the Job:

The Costume Designer and Costume Studio Manager is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of costumes, supply management, and the oversight of the costume studio staff. This individual will typically design two productions per year and collaborate with guest designers or mentor student designers on additional productions. They will also take part in the production planning process for all productions as it pertains to costumes, which includes meetings, rehearsals, and fittings.

Job responsibilities could include, but are not limited to:

• Managing the costume studio, costume storage, supplies, and all inventory.
  • Maintaining a tidy and organized workspace and storage spaces.
  • Maintaining shop equipment, including regular maintenance, repairs, and replacement.
  • Managing the costume budget, including purchasing or renting supplies and materials and coordinating returns.
• Overseeing all costume construction, alterations, repairs, and cleaning for all theatre productions.
  • Fostering a culture of safety and ensuring safe work environments and practices are observed.
  • Grading commercial patterns to specific measurements and sewing technically challenging projects.
  • Maintaining the technical specifications and integrity of the costume design.
  • Prioritizing work processes and expediting productions within scheduled deadlines.
  • Collaborating with guest designers and/or mentoring student designers.
  • Participating in production meetings and working with Stage Management for fittings and production notes.
  • Scheduling and overseeing backstage costume support during dress rehearsals and performances/run of show.
  • Leading the costume crew and participating in strike for theatre productions.
  • Actively participating in the production process and facilitating a smooth transition of costumes from shop to dress rehearsal.
• Designing costumes for two theatre productions per year and performing all services generally performed by the costume designer in a theatre production, including, but not limited to:
  • Producing industry-standard communication tools, including sketches and renderings, research, and technical drawings.
  • Checking daily and responding to production-related email, rehearsal, and performance reports.
  • Adapting designs as needed in response to director feedback and the needs of the production.
  • Attending all design and production meetings, designer run-throughs, costume fittings, costume parades, dress rehearsals, and other rehearsals where costumes are needed, as well as ACTF responses.
• Supervising student costume studio employees and temporary costume studio staff.
  • Hiring, scheduling, and managing timekeeping for student costume studio employees.
  • Hiring, scheduling, and managing timekeeping for temporary costume studio staff.
• Contributing to the overall success of George Fox University and the Performing Arts Department.
  • Attending weekly Theatre Team meetings and occasional Performing Arts Department meetings.
  • Providing limited costume support for additional department events, including the annual Christmas Concert, Epiphany ensemble, and second stage events.
  • Coordinating costume rentals and loans to university and community events, as time allows.
• Communicating effectively and courteously with others, including employees, students, and the public, in a spirit of teamwork, respect and customer service.
• By actions, words, and lifestyle, be a Christian role model to students, whether through casual contact or in a formal supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience working cross-culturally with respect, appreciation and humility.
• Other duties as assigned.

A day in the life of this position:

A typical morning begins quietly at your desk and cutting table, where you sketch renderings, gather research, and prepare technical drawings for your next production before the studio fills with activity. You grade and cut the day's most technically demanding garments-pattern alterations, custom draping, and specialty handwork-so they are ready for your student team when they arrive. In the afternoon, you shift into mentoring and supervision, guiding four to five student employees through their build assignments, matching each stitcher with work that fits their developing skills, and stepping in to demonstrate a tricky seam or fitting technique. Throughout the day, you attend production meetings with the director and artistic team to review renderings, troubleshoot quick changes, and keep costumes aligned with the rehearsal calendar. As tech week approaches, the schedule shifts toward evening dress rehearsals and backstage support, closing a day in which you have advanced a production toward opening while helping student artists grow in craft, confidence, and calling.

We're looking for candidates who have:

• A BA or BFA in theatre.
• Experience in theatrical cutting, stitching, and crafts for theatre.
• Experience in theatrical costume design.
• Working knowledge of costume materials, including fabrics, notions, and craft supplies.
• Experience and skill in operating a variety of sewing machines and equipment, including, but not limited to, single-needle industrial, industrial zigzag, overlock, Merrow or serger, steam irons, cutting tools, and domestic straight and zigzag machines, to create assigned costume elements.
• An understanding of pattern alteration.
• A minimum of five years of sewing experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fabric types and uses.
• Knowledge of alteration methods for purchased garments.
• Knowledge of garment fitting.
• Comfort working with stretch fabrics, beading, and sequins.
• The ability to identify and distinguish colors.
• The ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• The ability to lift 20 lbs. and work around chemicals.
• Working knowledge of safety standards and standards implementation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to speak to coworkers, guest artists, managers, and students with good judgment, kindness, and clarity.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States. This position does not offer visa sponsorship; therefore, only applicants who do not require sponsorship for employment visas, now or at any point in the future, should apply.
• A commitment to the University's Theology of Racial and Ethnic Diversity.
• A desire to work with a diverse community of students and employees who represent various cultures, backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, political views, and expressions of Christian faith.
• A personal commitment to Jesus Christ and express their Christian testimony in a church. In addition, employees agree to live in agreement with the Community Lifestyle Statement and affirm the theological commitments expressed in the Statement of Faith.

Preference Will be Given to Those Who Have the Following Attributes:

• An MFA in theatre.
• Experience in management.
• Knowledge of costume history.
• Working knowledge of specialty needlework techniques.
• Skill in a variety of contemporary and historical hand-sewing techniques.
• Experience organizing and maintaining a shop environment.

Job information:

• Schedule: Up to 30 hours per week, 10 months (July 15 through May 15)
  • In addition to working during the day, this position requires night and weekend work, particularly during rehearsals and performances.
• Primary Work Location: Newberg
• Supervisor: Theatre Program Director

George Fox University has been transforming student's lives for over 125 years. We are a Christ-centered community that prepares students spiritually, academically, and professionally to think with clarity, act with integrity, and serve with passion. Our vision is to be the Christian university of choice known for empowering students to achieve exceptional life outcomes. We put students first, with Christ at the center of our work, embracing change in order to improve. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to join us in creating transformational experiences for our students.

Being a part of our community means a commitment to faith and to a lifestyle that is consistent with the university's mission as described in the Statement of Faith and Community Lifestyle Statement on our website.

As a Christ-centered community, George Fox University is an institution that values diversity as an essential dimension of God's design for human communities.

What is most appealing about working at George Fox University?

• Faith-centered: Our culture is unique for higher education. At George Fox you can pursue academic excellence while integrating Biblical scriptures, praying with staff members and students at work, and helping to make an impact on the world in a way that promotes Christian values.
• Unapologetically Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God's Word.
• Live out your calling: You are able to use your God-given talents and abilities while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings, at which they will be able to glorify the kingdom of God just as they have seen you do.
  
  

For your personal well-being we offer:

• A strong Christian vision and mission-led organization with opportunities for your growth and contributions.
• Wonderful Christian peers and a vibrant student population.
• A beautiful and peaceful campus environment with areas to walk and coffee shops and restaurants close by.
• Free Fitness Center membership.
• Free parking.
  
• Rich employee benefit package for eligible positions. Click here for more information!

Application Procedures - kindly apply only through this website

• When completing the online application, please upload the following as Word or .pdf documents in the section marked Letter of Interest and Curriculum Vitae or Resume:
  
  • Letter of Interest
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
  • Other supporting materials may be requested at a later stage of the review process.
• Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

We invite you to Be Known at Oregon's largest private and nationally recognized Christian University!

**This position is subject to close at any time, regardless of the date on the posting.
**Have questions or need assistance with our application process? Contact Georgefoxcareers@georgefox.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The university is an equal-opportunity employer. Every employee has the right to work in surroundings free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy to make decisions about applicants and employees without regard to sex, age, race, color, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status to the extent prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal law. This prohibition applies not only to the recruiting and hiring process but to all facets of the employment relationship, including promotion, pay, training, classification, performance reviews, discipline, and termination.

George Fox is owned by the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church and its mission is distinctly Christian. Employees are required to agree with and abide by the university's faith statement and its statement of community responsibilities. Within the context of this agreement and commitment, employment opportunities are otherwise available to all persons on the basis of their experience and skills.

In the recruiting process, the university may make special effort to solicit applicants from underrepresented groups. This is done as an affirmative step to increase the representation of these populations in the university's workforce to better match their availability in the labor market. Hiring decisions are based on the applicants' qualifications as they relate to the needs of the position.

Salary : $23 - $31