The Cutter/Draper is a key member of the Company’s Costume Shop reporting to the Costume Director and is responsible for the execution of costume drafting/draping and the supervision of costume construction or alterations. The Cutter/Draper is also responsible for assisting the Costume Director in facilities and asset management supervising equipment maintenance and ensuring adequate stock of tools, consumable, supplies, and notions.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Direct and supervise the work of First Hands and Stitchers in the costume shop.
- Measure all rental costumes after they arrive to assist with costume assignments.
- Establish and supervise alteration methods ensuring safety of rental packages.
- Draft and drape patterns as needed for supplemental looks to rental packages requested by directors or for construction of new shows completed in house.
- Supervise and perform cutting, construction, alterations, notes, and repairs.
- Participate in fittings with Costume Director.
- Attend all dress rehearsals and subsequent tech notes sessions.
- Be onsite during all show calls to assist with emergency repairs or to step in as a backup dresser if needed.
- Assist Costume Director with load out of the venue.
- Supervise and conduct alteration restorations as required by the rental package.
- Assist Costume Director with receiving, packing, and shipping of rental packages.
- Supervise maintenance on shop equipment and inventory.
- Enforce Opera Colorado policies, procedures, and work rules.
- Maintain measurements database.
- Maintain a clean, safe work environment.
- Maintain a positive and communicative atmosphere in the workroom and with management and mediates any conflicts among personnel or with designers.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in costume construction, fittings, and alterations working with a wide variety of materials.
- Proficient in drafting and draping patterns for costumes especially period clothing.
- Proficient in advanced sewing techniques.
- Proficient in the preparation, use, and troubleshooting of costume shop equipment.
- 1 to 2 years of supervisory experience
- Able to use and navigate a compute, search the internet, and perform simple edits documents and spreadsheets.
- Experience as a draper/cutter in a professional costume shop is preferred but not required
- Flexibility for evening and weekend hours
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- A mission-driven individual with a belief in and commitment to Opera Colorado’s mission, artistic vision, and values.
- An organized leader capable of delegating tasks and managing time and projects effectively under production deadlines
- A good listener, able to analyze and formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan.
- A flexible and creative individual who can find alternative ways to reach objectives when barriers arise, a skilled negotiator.
- A team builder – confident and competent; one who understands the subtleties of motivating and directing a diverse group of personalities with different work styles.
- Emotionally mature with a good sense of humor and the flexibility and sensitivity to work with diverse personalities and situations.
The Cutter/Draper is a seasonal, exempt position working 30 contract weeks during the season earning a weekly salary. They may also be requested to work, as available, on projects and planning during non-contract weeks and during such work will be paid hourly. Pay range is $1,000 to $1,160 per contract week and $25 to $29 per hour during non-contract weeks depending on experience.
2022 – 2023 SEASON CONTRACT WEEKS SCHEDULE
The Cutter/Draper will be on contract weeks during the following periods:
- September 12, 2022 – November 27, 2022 (11 weeks)
- January 9, 2023 – May 21, 2023 (19 weeks)
2022 – 2023 SEASON PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
All weekday performances are 7:30pm and Sunday performances are 2:00pm. *November 10th is a student matinee with a 10:00am curtain.
- VERDI’S RIGOLETTO: November 5, 8, *10, 11, 13 | 2022
- KORNGOLD’S DIE TOTE STADT: February 25, 28 and March 3, 5 | 2023
- PUCCINI’S TURANDOT: May 6, 9, 12, 14 | 2023
