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Costume Department Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS LLC

Costuming Supervisor

Del Valle, TX · On-site

$16.25 - $22.25/hr

Requirements Costume Department Leadership and Operations Lead the daily operations of the Costume Department, ensuring consistent execution of shop workflows, show support priorities, and department ...

Circuit of The Americas

Costuming Supervisor

Del Valle, TX · On-site

$16.25 - $22.25/hr

Requirements Costume Department Leadership and Operations • Lead the daily operations of the Costume Department, ensuring consistent execution of shop workflows, show support priorities, and ...

SeaWorld

Costume Shop, Laundry Specialist

Busch, AR · On-site

Participates as an integral contributor to the Entertainment Costuming Department. * Executes Park, Show and Event Laundry Projects as assigned. Including all laundry processes and deliveries.

THE OLD GLOBE

Firsthand/Assistant Cutter

San Diego, CA

$29.49/hr

... Costume Department. This critical role is responsible for pattern making, cutting, and fabrication in one of the finest regional shops. Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to the ...

Svsu

Costume Designer

Campus, IL

The Department of Theatre at Saginaw Valley State University invites applications for an administrative professional (non-tenure track) Costume Designer temporary position, and also serves as Costume ...

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Costume Department information

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$10

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$37

How much do costume department jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for costume department in the United States is $19.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does the costume department do in film and theater productions?

The costume department is responsible for designing, creating, sourcing, and maintaining the clothing and accessories worn by actors in film, television, and theater productions. Their work helps define each character's personality, social status, and background, while also supporting the story’s time period and setting. The department collaborates closely with directors, production designers, and actors to ensure costumes fit the creative vision and practical needs of the production.

Where can I find costume jobs?

Costume department jobs can be found on entertainment industry job boards, production company websites, and specialized staffing agencies. Many positions require experience with sewing, costume design, or wardrobe management and may be posted on sites like Backstage, Mandy Network, or Casting Networks.

What is the difference between Costume Department vs Costume Designer?

AspectCostume DepartmentCostume Designer
CredentialsExperience in wardrobe, sewing, costume coordinationDesign degree, fashion or costume design experience
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with costume designers, wardrobe supervisorsCreates original costume concepts, sketches
Industry UsageUsed across film, TV, theater productionsPrimarily responsible for designing costumes

The Costume Department encompasses all roles involved in wardrobe management, including costume supervisors and assistants, focusing on executing the costume design. The Costume Designer is responsible for creating the visual concept and design of costumes. While the department handles the practical aspects, the designer focuses on the creative vision.

What are common costume job titles?

Common costume department job titles include Costume Designer, Costume Supervisor, Costume Assistant, Wardrobe Supervisor, Costume Cutter, and Costume Seamstress or Tailor. These roles involve tasks such as designing, fitting, constructing, and maintaining costumes for productions, often requiring knowledge of sewing, fabric selection, and costume history.

Who hires the costume Department crew?

The costume department crew is typically hired by the production company, director, or costume designer responsible for a film, TV show, theater production, or event. Hiring often involves casting calls, job postings, or freelance contracts, and crew members may need relevant skills, experience, or certifications. The process varies depending on the size and scope of the project.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in the costume department, and how can they be managed?

Professionals in the costume department often encounter challenges such as tight deadlines, last-minute design changes, and maintaining continuity across scenes or performances. Managing these challenges requires excellent organizational skills, adaptability, and strong communication with directors, actors, and other departments. Building a detailed costume inventory, regularly updating continuity photos, and maintaining open communication channels help ensure the team can respond quickly to changes and keep production running smoothly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Costume Department, and why are they important?

To thrive in the Costume Department, you need a solid background in fashion design, garment construction, and textile knowledge, often supported by a degree in costume or fashion design. Familiarity with sewing machines, pattern-making software, and fabric dyeing techniques is essential, along with knowledge of wardrobe organization systems. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help individuals excel when working with directors, actors, and other departments. These abilities ensure costumes are historically accurate, visually impactful, and delivered efficiently to support the overall production.

What does the costume Department do?

The costume department is responsible for designing, sourcing, fitting, and maintaining costumes for a production. They work closely with directors and designers to ensure costumes fit the characters and meet the visual style, often using sewing, tailoring, and costume design skills. The department manages wardrobe continuity and repairs costumes during filming or performances.
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Costume Department jobs near you
Costume Department Manager

Costume Department Manager

CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

Chicago, IL • On-site

$75K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

JOB TITLE                       Costume Department Manager

REPORTS TO                   Director of Production

REPORTING STAFF        Costume Design Assistant, Head Draper/Workroom Supervisor, Draper(s), First Hand(s), Stitcher(s), Wardrobe Supervisor, Crafts Artisan(s)

FLSA CLASS                     Exempt

PAY RANGE                      $75,000 to $78,000 Annually

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Costume Department Manager is member of the Production leadership team and the leader of the Costume Department.  The Costume Department Manager provides day-to-day supervision for a team of staff and over hire technicians in the planning, budgeting, purchasing, construction, and maintenance of costume elements for all Chicago Shakespeare Theater productions, including both produced and presented work. This role is responsible for supporting the artistic vision of the production, executing the realization of the costume designs collaboratively and creatively, and ensuring that costumes are realized in a fiscally responsible and timely manner.  The Costume Department Manager is also responsible for maintaining and managing CST’s robust costume stock as well as the Costume Workshop itself.

____________________________________________________________________________

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

  • Manage the scheduling, coordination and supervision of the fabrication and procurement of costumes for all productions
  • Develop show specific budget estimates based on preliminary designs, create costume plots and projections around materials, labor, rentals, and outsourcing. Provide suggestions on scope adjustments as needed
  • Proactively collaborate with and guide costume designers to realize their designs within the bounds of budget, time, and infrastructure
  • Hire, train and provide day-to-day supervision of costume shop staff, including conducting periodic goal-based performance reviews
  • Oversee workflow and prioritization between multiple projects while maintaining appropriate production values
  • Attend technical rehearsals and previews as required by Director of Production
  • Collaborate with the Director of Production to create and manage departmental and show-specific labor, material and maintenance budgets
  • Adhere to and enforce CST health and safety protocols by training employees on safety protocols, providing necessary safety equipment, reporting incidents, monitoring evolving safety practices, and advising on adjustments to policy
  • Ensure that the costume shop work environments, spaces, and activities in the costume department’s purview are inclusive, and respectful for performers, designers, and staff.  Maintain discretion and diplomacy in all activities to ensure that performers feel supported and safe
  • Process and approve weekly payroll for department staff
  • Maintain CST Costume stock and Costume inventory
  • Collaborate with other production department managers in support of cross-departmental elements of each production
  • Drive IDEA to Action platform by engaging in committees, events, training and other initiatives as needed
  • Model CST’s core values of service, ingenuity, and collaboration as well as its customer service ethos
  • Champion the organization’s commitment to a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

  • Support employees with additional job training and help them discover projects to advance their professional goals
  • Support all other activities of the theater including fundraising and audience development initiatives, access programming, and education initiatives
  • Develop, and maintain relationships with outside production companies and theaters to cultivate opportunities for contract projects when the CST production schedule allows
  • Advise CST leadership on capital projects and acquisitions

_____________________________________________________________________

COMPENTENCIES

  • Demonstrated superior ability to lead, delegate and effectively manage personnel
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, overlapping, on-going complex projects
  • Strong financial skillsets including estimating project costs based on provided design information, tracking and projecting expenses, financial reconciliation
  • Demonstrated ability to creatively collaborate with a diverse range of designers and design processes and a willingness to adjust the production process to the needs of a given project
  • Expert-level knowledge of theatrical costume fabrication techniques
  • Expert-level knowledge of tools and machines typically found in a costume shop (e.g. sewing machines, irons, sergers)
  • Demonstrated understanding of body diversity and a commitment to leading a body positive costume shop
  • Knowledge of safety policies, procedures and best practices within a costume shop environment
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills
  • Emotional intelligence, professional discretion
  • Service, ingenuity, and collaboration
  • Mission-driven

                               ____________________________________________________________________________

WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Work hours are somewhat flexible but generally 10 am - 6 pm, Monday through Friday; during load-ins and technical rehearsals, weeks run Tuesday through Sunday
  • Overtime hours will be necessary
  • Evening, weekend and holiday hours will be necessary
  • Worksite is primarily at the CST facilities on Navy Pier in Chicago, IL but will at times work in other locations such as the CST Warehouse, City Parks and other off-site performance venues
  • Occasional work in low-light environments

PHYSICAL DEMAND

  • Perform a variety of physical tasks including but not limited to climbing stairs, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and pulling
  • Assist in the pushing, pulling, lifting, or moving of objects up to 50 lbs
  • Use of manual dexterity in the operation of computers and other equipment
  • Prolonged periods of time standing, and working at a computer

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • 5 year’s experience as a manager or assistant manager in a commercial costume shop or regional theater with a full-time costume shop

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE                          

  • BA, BFA, MA, MFA in costume technology or related field, welcomed
  • ETCP certification in any discipline welcomed

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

CST is dedicated to increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs and in all our hiring for staff and artists. We are committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination. CST prohibits discrimination in employment against any employee or job applicant because of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.

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