Freelance Costume Tech

Job Highlights

To work with the Houston Grand Opera Costume Shop Department with all aspects that are involved in the realization and production of costumes with an emphasis on stitching.

Join Us!

We are looking for talented, passionate, and dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our community and our mission. If you are excited about this position but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply! You may be just the right candidate for this position or another role at HGO.

About the Houston Grand Opera

The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice. HGO has received a Tony Award, three Grammy Awards, and three Emmy Awards – we are the only opera company in the world to win all three honors. 

Our strategic focus is two-fold: creating profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences and clearly defining and positively promoting the HGO brand. We believe every team member enriches our organization by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Costume Shop Supervisor and Draper in all aspects of building and altering of costumes for productions which include but are not limited to: sewing, prepping fabrics for new builds, and cutting.

• Accurately stitch alterations and new builds in a wide variety of fabrics according to specifications.

• Prepare costumes for fittings by pre-altering costumes according to performer’s measurements.

• Assist in the prepping of fabrics for new builds: washing and ironing, or pre-steaming.

• Assist from time to time to prepare shows by unpacking costume, measuring/ rehanging/ and steaming.

• Assist from time to time in the Houston Grand Opera Warehouse in the restocking/packing / organizing of costume stock, rental shows, and fabric restock organization.

• Assist with occasional crafts, and millinery work.

Other Duties

• Assist the Costume Shop Supervisor and Head of Costumes on department projects from time to time as needed and assigned.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of professional experience in clothing sewing construction, and alterations in a costume shop or fashion related industry.

• Excellent sewing skills: ability to accurately sew in a wide variety of fabrics.

• Proficient in operating industrial sewing machines as well as hand sewing in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience in production stitching, garment construction techniques, and finishing.

• Basic knowledge of cutting, patterning, and tailoring (dying and craftwork a plus).

• Ability to lift 30 lbs. to waist level.

• Ability to hang costumes on 6’6” clothes racks.

• A degree in Costume Technology/Production or related field a plus.

• At times schedule may fluctuate depending on fittings and rehearsal schedule and overtime may be required.

Special Job Characteristics

• Ability to organize, prioritize and maintain several projects at once and sustain productivity under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with staff, management, vendors, and artists.

• Ability to meet deadlines.

• Attention to detail.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those we consider important for an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job: extended periods of sitting and performing tasks such as typing and using a computer mouse, with strong visual and auditory focus, occasional lifting (not exceeding 30 pounds), reaching for items, effective communication skills, and fine motor abilities, being mobile within the office for activities like attending performances, events, and meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity

Houston Grand Opera is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HGO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. HGO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. HGO encourages applicants of all ages.