Costume Director

TheatreWorks Costume Director Job Posting 2026



Position Overview: The Costume Director will oversee costume production from design to completion. This role is a key leadership position for the Production Department, overseeing the hiring, training, evaluation and supervision of all costume, crafts, wardrobe and wigs/hair/makeup personnel. Responsibilities include the leadership of the department staff, working closely with visiting designers to execute world-class costume designs and managing the production workflow. Management work includes supervision of employees, the creation and monitoring of department budgets, show budgets and schedules.



Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt, Salaried with benefits

Reports to: Director of Production

Start Date: January or February 2027



Organization Overview: Founded in 1970 by Robert Kelley (Artistic Director Emeritus), TheatreWorks has grown from a truly original Silicon Valley start-up to become the Peninsula’s leading professional nonprofit theatre company. In 2019, TheatreWorks was honored to receive the Regional Theatre Tony Award. Now under the leadership of Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli and Executive Director Phil Santora, TheatreWorks presents a wide variety of contemporary plays and musicals, as well as revitalizing great works of the past. We are champions of new work, offering artists support and a creative home as they develop exciting new stories for the American theatre. Offstage, arts education programs in our schools and arts engagement programs in our neighborhoods uplift our audiences and strengthen community bonds. TheatreWorks currently produces a six-show mainstage season at three venues; the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, the Fox Theatre in Redwood City and the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. TheatreWorks also produces an annual New Works Festival at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. For additional information, visit www.theatreworks.org.



Key Responsibilities:

• Work with Artistic Director, Director of Production, and Executive Director to plan, budget and hire all staff required for the season, do long range planning for space, staff and budget needs. Read scripts of upcoming productions and do estimates for labor and materials.

• Recruit and hire costume shop permanent staff and hourly overhire and specialists.

• Provide leadership to shop staff to maintain shop productivity and positive work environment in an organized and team-oriented fashion. Submit department timesheets and all expense reports by the appropriate deadlines.

• Oversee production quality to satisfy the technical needs of the garments as well as the long-term needs of the company for future use. Keep track of work progress against deadlines, make sure production is as complete as possible by load-in, the final notes are complete by previews and any final changes are complete by opening. Keep track of budgets during production to make sure show is on track, update the appropriate people of changes, adjustments. Oversee planning for rehearsal costumes and understudies.

• Work with visiting Costume Designers to plan build schedules and communicate budget needs to achieve the best quality costumes possible within those parameters. During the design process, go through preliminary concepts and sketches with the Designer to refine budget estimates and labor needs. Provide guidance in achieving designs within budget and time restraints.

• When designs are complete and approved by show director, meet with the costume Designer, Assistant Costumer and Lead Draper on show concepts and go through each sketch to determine construction methods and pulling/renting/shopping requirements. Help estimate yardage needs for fabric, trim and notions to be bought. Assign projects to Drapers, Crafts and other specialists. Oversee Assistant Costumer with sourcing, shopping and ordering supplies, materials, ready-made garments, shoes, accessories. Oversee build process with shop staff, having weekly shop meetings.

• Coordinate fitting scheduling with Stage Manager and oversee fittings of all costumes, including pulled, rented and purchased costumes to be altered to assure they meet the needs and comfort of the performer as well as the Designer.

• Attend a run-through before load-in and dress rehearsals and help estimate time needed for changes, repairs during dress rehearsal/preview week. Oversee the Wardrobe Supervisor’s transition to the running crew in the theatre, maintenance during the run of the show, and make sure strike is completed and any borrowed or rented pieces are returned in good condition.

• Oversee the Costume Rentals/Stock Manager and guide goals and policies governing the costume stock storage and rental operation. Coordinate stock use with other departments as needed for Development, Educational and Marketing needs.

• Oversee equipment maintenance and repairs. Know all the safety information pertinent to the Costume Shop operations. Report any hazardous situations immediately to the Director of Production. See that new employees are trained in safety procedures.

• Willingness and flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends/holidays when production schedule requires it at TheatreWorks’ partner venues (Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Lucie Stern Theatre, Fox Theatre, etc.).

• Consistently embody the mission and values of TheatreWorks in a professional, thoughtful, and collaborative manner. Be a team player with TheatreWorks internal company members, production personnel, performers and all external venue staff.

• Attend Department and Full Staff meetings as required.

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Production.



Qualifications & Competencies:

• Minimum of 5 years of costume management experience at a professional-level theatre, with demonstrated project management skills. College degree, technical certificate, and/or equivalent, with experience in a wide range of period and modern productions, musicals and new works.

• Excellent knowledge of design techniques, crafts and fashion history, including men’s and women’s garment construction, tailoring and period styles.

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with an ability to create and maintain a safe and inclusive environment for performers and workers of diverse identities, backgrounds and abilities.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple projects and deadlines.

• Basic computer usage (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams)

• Passion for the arts, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

• Physically be able to sit and stand for long periods of time, operate sewing machines and irons, occasionally lift/push/pull up to 25 lbs.

• Must provide documents that establish identity as well as employment authorization in the USA.



Compensation Range: $75-80,000 plus benefits including: partial employer-paid health insurance; optional 403(b) retirement plan; paid vacation; holidays; personal and sick days; complimentary tickets to TheatreWorks shows; friends and family discounts.



PRIMARY LOCATION: TheatreWorks Redwood City Headquarters

How to Apply: Please email a cover letter and resume to: SUBJECT: Costume Director Search.



TheatreWorks is a proud equal opportunity employer, embraces diversity, and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.



The information presented above indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this position. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.