Deputy Head of Wardrobe

Join our production team and bring your costume creativity to life on stage! If you’re passionate about costume making and are eager to take on a leadership position within a fun and creative environment, this is an exciting opportunity for you.

Job Purpose: To act as the principal cutter and maker for the department, and deputising for the Head of Wardrobe.

Key Task Areas:

• To cut and make costumes for productions and other projects in which the theatre has an interest.
• Making pattern blocks for costumes/costume elements and costume props.
• Pattern cutting to design requirements or draping on stand.
• To assist in procuring materials for all elements of required costume making.
• To source costumes and fabric by purchasing or hiring.
• To make or obtain accessories.
• To alter, adapt or repair stock costumes accurately and sympathetically as required.
• To work alongside designers, the Head of Wardrobe and the Production Manager to ensure that all costumes come as close as possible to the designs and to the highest possible standard.
• To act as Costume Supervisor for smaller in-house productions if required.
• To maintain costumes (including washing/ironing), shoes, accessories, tools and working areas to the highest standards.
• To measure actors and undertake fittings as required.
• To assist in any returns of costume elements as necessary.
• To assist the Head of Wardrobe in efficient and effective management and administration of the department, supervising any permanent and/or freelance staff, and undertake duties as required in their absence.
• To maintain stock costumes and shoes to the highest standard.
• To play a vital part in the setting up, running of and maintenance during in-house produced productions.

Additional Information:

• This post will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check with the Criminal Records Bureau.
• A diverse range of textile handling, pattern drafting, cutting and making.
• A minimum of 2 years experience of theatre costuming ideally within a producing theatre.

Essential Knowledge/Qualifications:

• A good working knowledge of relevant costume making tools and machinery.
• Theatre costume cutting and making skills to a high standard.
• A recognised qualification in pattern drafting/making.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with relevant production and creative staff.
• Able to deputise for the Head of Department in their absence.
• Able to plan workload effectively and creatively with the ability to work to strict deadlines.
• Able to work as part of a team with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Initiative to work alone with minimum supervision.
• Positive and flexible approach to problem solving with attention to detail.
• Flexibility with working hours to suit business needs.
• Budget control.
• Supervising a team.

Desirable Knowledge/Qualifications:

• Driving license.
• Understanding of wigs, hair and makeup.
• Millinery.

How To Apply: Please submit a covering letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) stating your relevant experience, knowledge, and skills for this role along with your CV.

Closing Date: Fri 11th July

Interviews: Mon 14th July

DE&I: We are an inclusive organisation, committed to fair recruitment, and equality of opportunity. We particularly welcome applications from those whose backgrounds are currently under-represented in our workforce and in the Arts more widely.

We want to encourage socio-economic diversity, as well as representation from ethnically diverse groups, people who identify as D/deaf and disabled and/or those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Candidates needing any assistance to complete their application should email [emailprotected].

If there is anything about this recruitment process or the way we have promoted these opportunities that has created any barriers to you applying, please let us know.

We welcome requests for flexible working/job share/remote working.

Royal & Derngate are a PIPA (Parents and Carers in Performing Arts) Charter Partner, striving towards creating a more family friendly working environment.

We encourage proposals from anyone who requires flexible working around caring responsibilities and anyone looking for a positive work/life balance.

We are a user of the disability confident scheme, and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for any of our vacancies.

Employee Assistance Programme: Free employee assistance programme run by Health Assured provides counselling, family advice, medical information, legal advice, financial and debt information, life and leadership coaching, and an online health and wellbeing portal.

Bar & Shop Discount: 10% discount on products purchased at our bars and theatre shop.

Complimentary tickets available on selected shows: Produced productions – All colleagues will receive two tickets to the press night of all Made In Northampton productions where available. Additional comps will be available for any performance during the run (subject to availability).

Presented productions – Comps may be available for those productions that have not achieved sales of 80% of capacity on each individual performance, subject to contract arrangements and sales patterns.

Films – Comps will be made available to colleagues for films at Northampton Film house where availability allows. A weekly email will be sent out to all colleagues providing a list of eligible film screenings. The £1.00 booking fee will apply.

Family Friendly Policies: Enhanced leave and pay for Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental, Dependants, Careers, Annual Leave and Sickness.