Cutter/Draper - Costume Shop

LA Opera (LAO) is a mission-driven, non-profit organization that plays a significant role in the cultural life of Southern California. Hundreds of LAO employees and artists help bring to life world-class opera that preserves, promotes, and advances the art form while embodying the diversity, pioneering spirit and artistic sensibility unique to Los Angeles.

Our productions are experienced by more than 100,000 audience members each year at our home at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. We reach many more through our community and school programs, Off Grand performances in venues across Los Angeles, and On Now digital content.

About the opportunity:
We are looking for a Cutter/Draper with tailoring experience to join our Costume Shop team for at least 12 weeks during our Fall 2024 season, with the potential for an extension of the employment period. The desired start date is July 29. 

This is a full-time, temporary position based out of the LA Opera Costume Shop in downtown Los Angeles that includes occasional evening and weekend work, in addition to a Monday to Friday schedule.

This position is represented by Local 768, IATSE, and the terms and conditions of employment are governed by the collective bargaining agreement between Local 768 and LA Opera. The current hourly base rate of pay for this position is $36.50.

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Managing a crew of First Hands, Seamsters; planning work assignments to ensure the work is completed in a timely manner; meeting all deadlines
• Creating patterns for garments from costume designs by draping or flat patterning
• Measuring, assigning and fitting existing costume pieces and supervising set-up and completion of alterations
• Attending dress rehearsals, taking notes for alterations from artists and from the creative team. 
• Working with creative teams and performers, independently utilizing creative ability and artistic judgment, successfully interpreting costume designs

Who we’re looking for:
Successful candidates will have:

• Extensive experience as a Cutter/Draper in a professional theatrical costume shop
• Advanced knowledge of stage costume construction and period costume history
• Strong knowledge of fabrics and fibers used in costume making
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and multitasking skills
• Proficiency in structured suiting, hard and soft tailoring for all body types tailoring and hand sewing techniques used in tailoring
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities for costume builds and fittings
• Ability to adapt and learn new skills
• Demonstrated skill in effectively and respectively supervising, motivating, and evaluating a team of first hands, and stitchers.
• Demonstrated success in a deadline-driven environment with shifting priorities 
• Strong oral and written communication skills

 We are committed to a workplace in which everyone has equitable opportunities and experiences a sense of belonging, and we are seeking a Cutter /Draper who champions and demonstrates this commitment.

To apply:
Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit an application to costumes@laopera.org. Applications received by July 25 will receive full consideration.

Individuals of identities that are underrepresented in the field of Costume Construction are especially encouraged to apply.

LA Opera is an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any legally protected categories.