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USC School of Dramatic Arts | Los Angeles, California

Costume Technician I

Full Time/On-Ground

The USC School of Dramatic Arts seeks a skilled and collaborative Costume Technician I to join its Costume Shop team. This position plays a vital role in supporting a dynamic production season by constructing, altering, maintaining, and managing costumes and costume accessories for theatrical productions while contributing to a professional and student-centered learning environment.

Working closely with costume faculty, shop leadership, guest designers, students, and production staff, the Costume Technician supports all phases of costume production, from pattern development and garment construction to fittings, maintenance, and wardrobe support. The successful candidate will bring strong craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a commitment to mentoring students while upholding professional theatre standards.

Key Responsibilities

Costume Construction and Production

• Construct, alter, fit, and maintain costumes and costume accessories for productions.
• Create and modify patterns using flat patterning and draping techniques.
• Build historical, contemporary, and stylized garments utilizing professional theatrical construction methods.
• Support specialty costume projects, including millinery, costume crafts, and specialty fabrication as assigned.
• Assist with fabric sourcing, rentals, purchasing, and production-related costume logistics.
• Support technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances, and strike activities as needed.

Fittings and Costume Maintenance

• Take performer measurements and assist with costume fittings.
• Implement alterations and maintain costume records and tracking systems.
• Ensure costumes remain performance-ready throughout rehearsal and production runs.
• Assist with laundering, repairs, storage, and long-term maintenance of costumes and accessories.

Costume Shop Operations

• Assist with inventory management, purchasing, budgeting, and shop organization.
• Maintain costume shop equipment, supplies, and workspaces.
• Support safe and efficient operation of the costume shop and related facilities.
• Utilize university systems and office software to maintain records and documentation.

Student Support and Mentorship

• Supervise and mentor student workers, practicum students, and volunteers.
• Provide instruction in costume construction techniques, fittings, patterning, and shop safety.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and educational environment that supports student learning and professional development.
• Model professional standards of craftsmanship, organization, and workplace conduct.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum one year of practical experience in costume construction.
• Coursework or technical training in costume construction, theatrical production, or technical drawing preferred.
• Demonstrated skill in garment construction, alteration, and finishing techniques.
• Experience operating industrial sewing, pressing, and costume shop equipment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or BFA in Costume Design, Theatre Production, or a related field.
• Experience in multiple areas of costume production, including patterning, draping, millinery, costume crafts, wigs, accessories, or specialty fabrication.
• Previous experience working in an educational, repertory, or professional theatre environment.

Application Materials

Applicants should submit:

• Cover Letter describing qualifications and interest in the position
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references

Additional Information:

This position is required to work evenings and weekends depending upon the production schedule. Regular work hours during the production season are Monday through Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm, though subject to change as necessary. Occasional overtime may be required.

The hourly rate range for this position is $27.00 to $34.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The University reserves the right to add or modify duties and responsibilities as needed.

Why Join USC School of Dramatic Arts?

USC School of Dramatic Arts is one of the nation's leading theatre training programs, combining professional-level production opportunities with a world-class educational experience. As a member of the Production team, you will collaborate with talented students, faculty, guest artists, and staff while helping bring innovative theatrical work to life and preparing the next generation of theatre professionals.

The USC School of Dramatic Arts (SDA), founded in 1945, is recognized internationally as a leader in theatre education and its application to stage, screen, and other industries. The School offers innovative programs and curricula in acting, musical theatre, directing, playwriting, critical studies, costume design, scenic design, lighting design, sound design, stage management and creator arts. With a faculty of dramatic artists working at the highest level of their profession, the School offers BA, BFA and MFA degrees and has an active production program of more than 20 shows with a population of more than 600 undergraduate and graduate students combined. SDA's headquarters are located in the heart of USC's beautiful University Park Campus, housed in the Dick Wolf Drama Center, which anchor's the University's performing arts corridor (Thornton School of Music, Kaufman School of Dance, and the School of Cinematic Arts).

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which comprises the faculty, students and staff that make the university what it is.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

The university is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees, volunteers, and visitors on our campuses and those entrusted to our care, including patients, students, and minors. To that end, the university conducts background screening, including screening for criminal convictions, on all applicants after a conditional offer of employment and as a condition of employment. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix C for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative USC and SDA are committed to fostering an environment that embraces our USC's Unifying Core Values and seeks candidates that demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to these objectives.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email atuschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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