Head of Wardrobe

The Sarasota Ballet, established in 1987, is the Gulf Coast of Florida’s only professional ballet company. Under the leadership of Director Iain Webb since 2007, and supported by Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri, the company has gained national and international recognition. The repertoire now includes 163 new ballets from renowned choreographers such as Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, and Christopher Wheeldon. The Sarasota Ballet is dedicated to enriching the artistic landscape of the region while presenting works of prestige that often debut in Sarasota or the United States.

The Sarasota Ballet Head of Wardrobe is responsible for the supervision and creation of all costume related activities for The Sarasota Ballet for rehearsals, performances, and events.

• Construction and/or purchase of all materials for costumes, accessories, wigs and make up.
• Paint and Dye all dance shoes as needed to match the costume design of each ballet.
• Alterations as needed of hired costumes for productions. At the end of the production, arrange for cleaning, restoration of costumes to their original condition, and packing for return. With the Production Manager, arrange for the return of the costumes in a timely manner.
• Scheduling and carrying out fittings for all costumes well in advance of studio dress rehearsal. Fitting notices to be posted on the Company notice board in appropriate manner.
• Provide rehearsal costumes on an as needed basis.
• Provide specialty wigs or make up for productions on an as needed basis.
• If invited to design costumes for a production, all design meetings with the Choreographer must include the Director or Assistant Director and the Production Manager. All final design decisions are subject to the approval of the Director in consultation with the Choreographer.
• Attend all production meetings.
• Attend studio dress rehearsals sitting with Director and Assistant Director in order to take notes and alterations as needed.
• Sit with the production team at all onstage rehearsals to take notes and provide support to union dressers as needed.
• Attend all performances to oversee union dressers in the theatre and supervise all costumes, including hire productions.
• Arrange for the proper cleaning of costumes at the completion of each production.
• With the Production Manager, arrange for union dressers for rehearsals and performances.
• With the Production Manager, coordinate the transport of costumes to outside venues for performances.
• Make a ‘costume bible’ of all productions. This is to include photographs of each costume, fabric samples and swatches when appropriate and an inventory of costumes for the production.
• Inventory and manage the costumes stock of the Company. This includes cleaning and repair/replacement on an as needed basis.
• Manage and maintain the equipment in the costume shop.
• With the Production Manager, arrange for additional help in the shop on an as needed basis.
• With the Production Manager, prepare rentals of Company costumes for outside hire when required.
• Pull and prepare costumes for other events (i.e. photo shoots, development events, educational programs).
• Provide assistance to the Conservatory and School when needed for their productions.
• Purchase and maintain a stock of all expendable supplies, i.e. paint for shoes, laundry detergent, hair products, etc.
• Additional duties as required.

• High School Diploma with strong sewing experience.
• Individual must possess a minimum of three years of costume shop experience.
• Good working knowledge of fabric and accessories.
• Strong sewing ability.
• Strong mathematic background.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build close working relationships with colleagues and external vendors and suppliers.