Do you have the technical expertise to confidently construct and alter costumes to a professional theatre/film standard? Are you comfortable working to tight deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail? Are you adaptable and willing to work across different costume styles with significant experience in traditional women's costumes?
We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Costume Maker to help bring world-class productions to life by translating and transforming design concepts into exceptional finished garments. Collaborating closely with Running Wardrobe and other departments, you will ensure costumes are delivered accurately and efficiently.
Our Costume Workshops are at the heart of the extraordinary work seen on our stages—bringing to life the unique, iconic costumes that define RSC productions. Home to exceptional craftsmanship, creativity, and collaboration, this is a team where skills are celebrated and artistry thrives.
With an exciting season ahead, there's never been a better time to join us. This is your opportunity to contribute to world-class theatre and see your craft realised on stage, worn by actors and experienced by audiences' night after night.
This role is offered as a permanent, part time role working 24 hours per week over 3 or 4 days, based at our purpose designed costume workshop in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Reporting to the Head Cutter, key areas of responsibility include (please see the Role Profile for the comprehensive list):
- Working under the guidance of Head Cutters to realise costume designs using a wide range of construction techniques
- Supporting costume making teams to deliver high-quality garments within production deadlines
- Collaborating with Designers, Production Managers, and Costume colleagues to achieve consistently excellent results
- Attending fittings and rehearsals to uphold artistic quality and ensure effective communication of any costume-related issues
- Providing guidance and support to apprentices and work experience placements
- Contributing to wider Costume Workshop activity, including alterations, refurbishment, and cross-team support during busy periods
To be suitable for this role, it is essential that you have:
- Significant experience in constructing traditionally gendered women's costumes.
- Advanced knowledge of costume terminology and construction methods.
- Excellent costume making and alteration skills across traditionally gendered costume categories, with a stronger focus in one traditionally gendered costume area.
- Broad experience in period costume, specifically Elizabethan, Victorian and Long Dress.
- Strong hand and machine sewing skills, alongside excellent alteration and refurbishment expertise
- Experience participating in costume fittings and understanding performance requirements
- Good knowledge of fabric types, properties, and care requirements
- Relevant qualification (BTEC, HND, degree in Theatre Costume) or equivalent professional experience
- Proven ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, production-driven environment
You will be joining a hard-working, established and highly skilled team of 5 where you will work alongside a second Senior Costume Maker to ensure costumes are delivered accurately and efficiently for productions.
Application Process
All applications should be made online using the RSC website. If you need any assistance when applying, please email [email protected]
Interviews will take place in the week commencing 27 July.
About the RSC
The RSC strives for excellence and values creativity, inclusivity, sustainability, collaboration, and accountability.
We offer great benefits and aim to create a welcoming, supportive, and safe environment. We are committed to developing a diverse, highly motivated workforce and place our values at the heart of everything we do.
We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to building a diverse workforce.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at the RSC, and all employees are expected to prioritise this in their work. We also encourage candidates who will actively support and promote our environmental sustainability goals.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (no. 212481) is a registered charity.
