Directs all aspects of costuming for ART productions and advises on costuming needs for undergraduate performances.

Position Responsibilities

Promote an inclusive and safe work environment:

• Foster a culture of community, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism among staff and guest artists
• Foster a culture of safety, and ensure a safe work environment and practices are observed
• Hire and supervise Costume Staff (Assistant Costume Shop Manager, Head Draper, Crafts Artisan, and additional staff as needed). Conduct biannual performance reviews and goal-setting sessions. Collaborate with all costume and wardrobe departments (Costumes, Crafts, Wardrobe, Wigs, Hair & Makeup) to finalize the hiring and onboarding of overhire, and ensure compliance with the union (HUCTW) and Harvard employment policies

Support Artistic Vision and Goals:

• Collaboration with Costume Designers and in partnership with the Wardrobe Manager, collaborate with Makeup/Hair/Wig Designers to accomplish their designs within budget (materials and labor) and timeline (including factoring in meetings, fittings, and construction time.) Keep Production Management up to date on budget and timeline tracking
• Collaboration with Stage Management and Costume Designer on costume plots, entrance/exit charts, the scheduling of fittings, and responding to costume notes in rehearsal and performance reports
• Budget Management:
• Manage cross-seasonal costume budgets for supplies and shop maintenance
• Collaborate and maintain open lines of communication:
• Oversee the daily operation of the costume department, including facilitating conversation between costume sub-departments as projects move between areas, and communicating changes as they come up
• Collaboration with other production departments on cross-departmental projects
• Attend production meetings, studio rehearsals, tech rehearsals, and previews as needed.
• Maintain offsite costume storage and document stock and saved shows. Rent or lend stock to student groups or outside organizations as possible
• Represent Costume in building meetings as we design and build our new theatre

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role:

Strong knowledge and vocabulary of costume and craft construction methods and materials.

• Willingness to continue research and grow personal knowledge in the area of makeup, hair, and wigs, particularly global majority styling and care resources
• Ability to quickly and accurately budget and report the amount of time needed for costume and craft production, sourcing, and show running tasks.
• Empathy, listening skills, and a strong ability to read body language and other nonverbal clues are essential
• Conflict resolution skills - diffusing tension, navigating difficult conversations, mediating resolutions
• Ability to adapt and quickly communicate changes throughout the production process
• Must be capable of overseeing multiple projects happening simultaneously via delegating and collaborating with Costume sub-department team members
• Class D driver’s license and comfort driving sprinter van preferred, but not a requirement.
• Ability to maintain and repair sewing machines preferred, but not a requirement

A.R.T. is a multistory building without an elevator, with work taking place on all levels. The Costume Manager may be asked to assist with moving costumes, wardrobe boxes, and other materials to and from storage or around the building. This position requires night and weekend work, particularly during tech and previews. It also requires occasional local and out-of-state travel, primarily for shopping and rehearsals in NYC. The costume storage area is offsite and housed in the A.R.T. scene shop building, approximately a mile from the theater. The storage area is on a second-level loft, accessed via a staircase

Software Used: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Dropbox, Harvard-specific payroll software

Commitment to Equity and Anti-Racism

A.R.T. is centering anti-racism as a core value, including in its policies, structure, programming, philanthropy, communications, pedagogy, and workplace culture. This journey will be sustained, ongoing, and foundational to the theater.

The A.R.T. strives to reflect and celebrate the diversity of Cambridge and Greater Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States, and the world in its programming, artists, audience, boards, partners, and staff. The A.R.T. is committed to developing and producing work and creating environments that embrace the full breadth and beauty of our shared humanity. The A.R.T. unequivocally opposes any attempts to divide its community through acts of discrimination, omission, and violence. The A.R.T. is dedicated to making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, nationality or immigration status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical/mental ability, appearance, socio-economic status, education level, and political viewpoint.

Software Used: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Dropbox, Harvard-specific payroll software

PLEASE NOTE: Harvard University supports a hybrid workplace model which will actively support some remote work. Specific days and schedules for on-campus work and remote work will be discussed during the interview process. Please note hybrid workers must reside in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA).

Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage. Harvard University Health Services employees and other health care individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University’s COVID-19 Information Website.

Arts

USA - MA - Cambridge

AR0556 Arts Management II

Costumes

-

Full-time

056

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Identity

Full time. Monday through Friday. 9-5 or as scheduled.

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.