Head of Wardrobe
/Job Title:
Head of Wardrobe
Organization:
Vancouver Opera
Deadline:
Aug. 23, 2026
Organization Description:
Vancouver Opera creates extraordinary experiences that engage, inspire, and entertain our community through voice, music, and theatre.
Vancouver Opera 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 65 years; for its innovative and award-winning community programs; and for ground-breaking cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to generations of Canadians.
Website:
Job Description:
Reporting to the Technical Director and collaborating closely with the Costume Director, the Head of Wardrobe will be responsible for the realization of the costumes for VOA’s 26/27 Main Stage Productions: “Tosca”, “The Barber of Seville”, and “La traviata”. 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 1 week TBD, per the VOA-IATSE Shop agreement):
Tosca
September 20 – October 24, 2026 (5 weeks)
November 1 – 7, 2026 (1 week)
The Barber of Seville
January 11 – February 13, 2027 (5 weeks)
February 21 – 27, 2027 (1 week)
La traviata
March 15 – April 24, 2027 (6 weeks)
May 2 – 8, 2027 (1 week)
Responsibilities:
- Analyze script/libretto
- Maintain records of artist measurements
- Supervise and instruct any additional production assistants, costume assistants, cutters, sewers, tailers, builders, or buyers, as approved by the Technical Director
- Facilitate fittings
- Adjust and alter creations based on notes from Costume Director, 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
- Attend all production meetings, room run, load-in, strike, dress rehearsals and post-show notes
- Deliver all finished costumes by piano tech rehearsal
- Teach techniques and operations to performers and running crews
- Document and track all show-related configurations
- Arrange cleaning and maintenance of rental and stock costumes
- Maintain the wardrobe shop, ensuring all workspaces, equipment, tools, and storage areas remain safe, organized, and operational
- Manage and maintain costume, fabric, notions, and wardrobe inventory, including cataloguing stock, tracking loans and rentals, updating inventory records, and recommending purchases as needed
- Stay within budget limitations for materials and labour as set forth by the Technical Director
- Liaise with hair, makeup and wigs departments
- 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
- Working knowledge of costume history.
- 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, August 23, 2026 to:
Nicole Lamb
Director of Artistic & Production
nlamb@vancouveropera.ca
Interested parties are encouraged to apply if they have partial availability.
Applicants must be a member of IATSE 118, or willing to become one.
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 under-represented groups. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Remuneration:
$49.11*/hr in accordance with IATSE VOA Shop Agreement. *2025-26 rate. Updated rate to be negotiated Summer 2026.
