Head of Wardrobe
/ORGANIZATION:
Vancouver Opera
DEADLINE:
Sept. 14, 2025
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Vancouver Opera is the second largest opera company in Canada. It is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions; for its country-leading education programs, which have reached more than 1.6 million children and their families in more than 50 years; for its innovative and award-winning community programs; and for forging groundbreaking cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to new generations of Canadians in recent history.
Vancouver Opera was founded in 1958 by a group of visionary community leaders who believed in the essential value of the performing arts to the life of a great city and who recognized the power of opera to connect people to the universal human drama. In their view, a resident professional opera company was vital to the future of Vancouver.
After its founding, Vancouver Opera quickly moved to the centre of the city’s and region’s cultural life and has remained there ever since. In recent years, the company has intensified and broadened its role as a major creative, educational, and collaborative resource in the community.
WEBSITE:
https://www.vancouveropera.ca/
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Reporting to the Technical Director, the Head of Wardrobe will be responsible for the realization of the costumes for VOA’s 25/26 Main Stage Productions: “Rigoletto”, “Così fan tutte”, and “La bohème.” The individual is responsible for the organization, building, alteration, sourcing, and maintenance of costumes, including rental productions.
The Head of Wardrobe will be required to execute pre-production work including communication with the director, stage managers, and designers as required by the production. They will assist in the scheduling and operations of the wardrobe department including the supervision of additional assistants, cutters, sewers, builders and buyers, as approved and budget permits.
They will attend all production meetings, fittings, technical rehearsals and post-show notes. During the theatre technical rehearsal process, the Head of Wardrobe will make any adjustments necessary and will ensure the running crew is comfortable with tracking and techniques of the production.
The candidate should be a self-starter and a collaborative team member, who is comfortable intuiting designer visions and making judgement calls. They will have a calm and flexible outlook and be diplomatic in dealing with fluctuations in schedule and artistic challenges.
Guaranteed weeks of full-time commitment include (additional 2 weeks TBD, per the VOA-IATSE Shop agreement):
Rigoletto
September 21 – October 25, 2025 (5 weeks)
November 2 – 8, 2025 (1 week)
Così fan tutte
January 4 – February 7, 2026 (5 weeks)
February 15 – February 21, 2026 (1 week)
La bohème
March 22 – April 25, 2026 (5 weeks)
May 3 – 9, 2026 (1 week)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Analyze script/libretto
Maintain records of artist measurements
Supervise and instruct any additional production assistants, costume assistants, cutters, sewers, tailors, builders, or buyers, as approved by the Technical Director
Facilitate fittings
Adjust and alter creations based on notes from directors, designers, Technical Director, stage management and performers
Coordinate build, borrows, rentals or purchases of all costumes not in stock or in rental packages, as well as fabrics and supplies as needed
Oversee and/or delegate hair, makeup and wigs requirements
Attend all production meetings, room run, load-in, strike, dress rehearsals and post-show notes
Deliver all finished costumes by piano & orchestra techs
Teach techniques and operations to performers and running crews
Document and track all show-related configurations
Arrange cleaning and maintenance of all rental and stock costumes
Stay within budget limitations for materials and labour as set forth by the Technical Director
Adhere to Health and Safety Standards
QUALIFICATIONS:
Superior communication and organizational skills
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
Advanced level of proficiency in costume building, alteration and sourcing
Comprehensive knowledge of theatrical practices
Appreciation for live entertainment
Assets:
Basic or Intermediate First Aid
Class 5 Driver’s License & a clean Driver’s Abstract
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit cover letter and résumé no later than 5PM on Sunday, September 14 to:
Nicole Lamb
Director of Artistic & Production
nlamb@vancouveropera.ca
Interested parties are encouraged to apply if they have partial availability.
VO strives to provide meaningful employment opportunities, which reflect the range of diverse communities in which we live and work. Our vision is a resilient organizational culture, which is inclusive and diverse in all its aspects. Individual differences are not only accepted but are strongly valued and encouraged. We recognize that our diversity, the many different and unique things we individually and collectively bring to work each day, contributes to building a stronger workplace and healthier communities. VO welcomes and encourages applications from women, persons of colour, Indigenous persons, persons with diverse abilities, and members of other marginalized or underrepresented groups. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
REMUNERATION:
September 2025 – May 2026, guaranteed 20 weeks full-time. $49.11/hr in accordance with IATSE VOA Shop Agreement
