2026 CSF Costume Crew Positions

Job Summary

Job Summary

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival, located on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder, encourages applications for multiple Wigs & Makeup, Costume Crafts, Costume Fabrication, and Wardrobe crew positions for the 2026 CSF Season! These positions will support the success of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Details for each position are available in the “Key Responsibilities” section below.

The 2026 CSF season begins May 2026 and responsibilities for these positions will continue until late July 2026 or early August 2026. Some positions may have an opportunity for pre-season hours starting as early as March 2025.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Who We Are

For over 60 seasons, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival has delighted audiences with classic theatre under the stars.

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival is a professional theatre company in association with the University of Colorado Boulder. Since 1958, the festival has celebrated and explored Shakespeare and his continuing influence and vitality through productions of superior artistic quality, education, and community engagement.

CSF strives to preserve the classics of the past and pursue the classics of the future. Fueled by artistry and scholarship, the festival seeks to expand the cultural richness of the region by inspiring, challenging, and cultivating the imagination of audiences and artists.

Plays are performed beneath summer night skies in the newly renovated Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre and Roe Green Theatre indoors. The festival’s education programs reach tens of thousands of school children each year through camps, classes, and outreach performances that connect them with the continuing tradition and importance of live theatre and Shakespeare.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Wardrobe Technician:

• Act as a liaison between the wardrobe run crew and the costume shop.
• Support the preparation, management, and documentation of actor fittings as directed by the CSF Wardrobe Supervisor.
• Ensure proper flow of information, rehearsal, and show needs to the CSF Wardrobe Supervisor.
• Support the coordination of the care, management, and organization of finished costumes.
• Assist in preparation of all wardrobe facilities and operations.
• Participate in wardrobe run crew operations for assigned productions.
• Participate in end-of-season strike, including laundry, dry cleaning, rental returns, and restocking.
• This position reports directly to the CSF Wardrobe Supervisor.

Draper:

• Collaborate with the CSF Costume Shop Manager and Costume Designers to produce and realize costume designs.
• Create patterns from designer renderings.
• Attend fittings as necessary.
• Complete alterations of pulled/purchased costume pieces. Collaborate with other departments as required.
• This position reports directly to the CSF Costume Shop Manager.

First Hand:

• Assist the CSF Draper(s) in the production of new costumes and the refurbishment and alteration of existing costumes.
• Pattern layout and fabric cutting according to instructions from the CSF Draper(s).
• Prepare construction work for stitchers, interns, and volunteers.
• Work with stitchers, interns, and volunteers in construction, finish work, and alterations.
• This position reports directly to the CSF Costume Shop Manager.

Stitcher:

• Construct new costumes and alter and refurbish existing costumes under the direction of CSF Draper(s) and First Hand(s).
• Work closely with CSF Draper(s) and First Hand(s) to ensure that costumes are completed with an emphasis on quality and safety.
• This position reports directly to the CSF Costume Shop Manager.

Costume Crafts Shop Technician:

• Assist the CSF Crafts Supervisor in the construction, fitting, and alteration of costume crafts, including but not limited to armor, masks, footwear, headwear, belts, bags, and jewelry.
• Develop and fabricate craft pieces according to designer / supervisor instructions.
• Perform cutting, construction, finishing, and alterations to assigned items.
• Assist in supervising student workers and volunteers.
• This position reports directly to the CSF Costume Crafts Shop Supervisor.

Wig & Makeup Technician:

• Pull, purchase, alter, and/or manufacture wigs, hair styles, and facial hair as directed by the CSF Wig & Makeup Supervisor.
• Maintain wig/hair stock.
• Demonstrate and apply traditional and contemporary makeup techniques.
• Assist with changeovers, presets, and wig and makeup maintenance.
• Participate in show calls as needed.
• Perform or schedule haircuts as needed during the run of the shows.
• This position reports directly to the CSF Wig & Makeup Supervisor.

All positions will:

• Assist across department lines as designated by the CSF Costume Shop Manager.
• Adhere to the policies set forth in the CSF Standard Access and Locking Procedures.

What We Can Offer

What We Can Offer

The pay for these positions is $18.90 – $20.00/hour.

Benefits

Benefits

Temporary positions at the University of Colorado are not benefits-eligible, however, all positions are eligible for paid sick leave.

Be Statements

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

What We Require

• At least one year of related experience demonstrating the appropriate abilities is required for all positions.
• Appropriate education will substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

• A commitment to a collaborative workplace environment in which all employees are empowered to do their best work.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and technical skills related to the required abilities of the position.
• The ability to maintain high quality/standards and a safe and supportive work environment while working on tight timelines.
• Artistic sensibility and sensitivity.

What We Would Like You to Have

What We Would Like You to Have

• Teaching / mentoring experience.
• Draper:
  • Comprehensive knowledge of costume history.
  • Two (2) years of professional experience or equivalent professional training.
• First Hand & Stitcher:
  • Experience in construction, alteration, and finishing work using industrial machine and hand stitching; pressing and rolling of fabrics; and pressing, steaming, and correct labeling of finished costume pieces.
• Costume Crafts Technician:
  • One (1) year professional experience or equivalent professional training.
  • Proven experience with a variety of costume crafts materials including but not limited to clay, leather, buckram, felt, thermoplastics, foams, adhesives, and metal work.
  • Knowledge of respirator use, basic safety procedures, and ability to operate power tools.
• Wardrobe Technician:
  • One (1) year of professional experience or equivalent professional training.
  • Experience with and sensitivity to highly artistic and collaborative working environment.
• Wig & Makeup Technician:
  • Cosmetology license is desired but not required.
  • One to three (1 – 3) years of professional experience or equivalent professional training.
  • Proven experience with and knowledge of historical and contemporary hair, wig, and makeup techniques.
  • Knowledge of and experience with diverse, natural hairstyles and textures.

Special Instructions

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume: please clearly identify which position(s) you are applying for on your resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

For position-specific questions, please contact Jonathan Dunkle (j.dunkle@colorado.edu).

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by January 15th, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

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