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What They Do

About This Career

Selects, fits, and takes care of costumes for cast members, and aids entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.

This career is part of the Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communications cluster Performing Arts pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Provides dressing assistance to cast members or assigns cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.
  • Creates worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
  • Arranges costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
  • Designs or constructs costumes or sends them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.
  • Examines costume fit on cast members and sketches or writes notes for alterations.
  • Distributes costumes or related equipment and keeps records of item status.
  • Checks the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.
  • Cleans and presses costumes before and after performances and performs any minor repairs.
  • Collaborates with production designers, costume designers, or other production staff to discuss and execute costume design details.
  • Monitors, maintains, or secures inventories of costumes, wigs, or makeup, providing keys or access to assigned directors, costume designers, or wardrobe mistresses/masters.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Rotating shift work
  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Costume Draper
  • Costume Seamstress
  • Costumer
  • Draper
  • Dresser
  • Wardrobe Assistant
  • Wardrobe Attendant
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