Costume Attendants job and career information

Career:
Costume Attendant

Job Description: Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.

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What Costume Attendants do:

Distribute costumes or related equipment and keep records of item status.
Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs.
Return borrowed or rented items when productions are complete and return other items to storage.
Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
Assign lockers to employees and maintain locker rooms, dressing rooms, wig rooms, or costume storage or laundry areas.

Provide assistance to cast members in wearing costumes, or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.

Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations.

Purchase, rent, or requisition costumes or other wardrobe necessities.

Collaborate with production designers, costume designers, or other production staff to discuss and execute costume design details.

Care for non-clothing items, such as flags, table skirts, or draperies.

Inventory stock to determine types or conditions of available costuming.

Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.

Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.

Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.

Review scripts or other production information to determine a story's locale or period, as well as the number of characters and required costumes.

Direct the work of wardrobe crews during dress rehearsals or performances.

Study books, pictures, or examples of period clothing to determine styles worn during specific periods in history.

Participate in the hiring, training, scheduling, or supervision of alteration workers.

Monitor, maintain, or secure inventories of costumes, wigs, or makeup, providing keys or access to assigned directors, costume designers, or wardrobe mistresses/masters.

Recommend vendors and monitor their work.

Provide managers with budget recommendations and take responsibility for budgetary line items related to costumes, storage, or makeup needs.

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What work activities does a Costume Attendant do?

Importance		Activities
		Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
		Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

		Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
		Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.