Falmouth, MA

COSTUME DESIGNER
JOB DESCRIPTION

The Costume Designer position is one of the most difficult staff assignments at the College Light Opera Company.  The 32 member vocal ensemble must be costumed for nine shows in nine weeks each season.  Since many of the shows will call for between acts costume changes, the total number of costumes which must be arranged for each show is often twice that or more.  Off-setting this is the Company's collection of 1200 costumes in various states of usability.  As a rule, it is usually possible to completely pull two or three shows each season, re-build two or three, and make three or four from scratch.

The designer has a crew of five and is expected to help recruit that crew.  The shop has five standard sewing machines, one industrial, and an industrial interlocker.  

The successful designer is normally a graduate student in costume design.  We have used undergraduates with success and we have had college faculty members in the position.  In addition to imagination and skill in designing it is essential that the designer be organized and efficient, a good planner, and a good teacher of skills to the crew.  Excellent leadership skills are essential as is a sense of humor.

The designer is responsible for the costume budget which totals $7,500.  He or she is responsible for the purchase of all materials used in the shop and for the fair allocation of monies among the several directors and their shows.  The position pays room and board and a stipend. Please call the number below or e-mail cloc@Oberlin.edu for the amount of the stipend. Employment dates are usually from the first weekend in June and goes for 11 weeks.  

This position is obviously a crucial one for CLOC and it brings with it many rewards for the designer.  It is an opportunity for the designer to add nine shows in a short period of time to a portfolio.  It is also a demanding position requiring stamina and endurance in a very intense working situation.  Think through all of these things if you plan to apply.