Costume Cutter

**Our Company**

The Australian Ballet is one of the world's leading ballet companies and a globally recognised Australian national performing arts organisation. Each year the company presents upwards of 220 performances through its main stage seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth; along with public programs, special events, an extensive regional tour, a Children's Ballet and Education programs and regular overseas tours.

**About the role**:
The Costume Cutter is part of a dedicated and talented team who make up the Costume Workshop. As artisans working to realise the vision of the costume designer, the Costume team work in a fast-paced environment, having to meet multiple deadlines in any given year. The Costume Cutter is responsible for interpreting costume designs and cutting, construction, fitting and finishing of all costumes assigned for both new and revival productions. This is a non-touring position, although interstate travel may be required.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Consulting with costume designers and coordinators to establish the cut and finish of costumes for each production
- Develop patterns from costume designs and from existing costumes
- Establish toiles for designers, as required
- Assisting the costume coordinator with planning fabric quantities required
- Cutting of costumes
- Supervising and instructing the construction of costumes by the costumiers
- Conduct fittings, including costumiers where appropriate
- Allocation of costumes to fulfil casting for each production
- Sewing costumes, when required
- Assisting the head of Costume workshop and senior cutters with staffing requirements and performance
- Encourage and maintain a productive and amicable workplace culture
- Dancers measurement files are kept up to date
- Recording materials used to assist the costume coordinator in preparing the relevant files for archiving each production
- Attending costume rehearsals in the rehearsal studio and theatre

**Other duties -**
- At times, assisting with the supervision of work experience and secondment students
- Undertaking any other duties as reasonably requested by the Head of Costume workshop, Senior Ladies and/or Senior Gentlemen's Cutters

**Preferred Qualifications, Experience and Attributes**
- Experience in costume patternmaking and fitting
- High level of costume making skills
- Ability to use industrial sewing machinery
- Fabric knowledge
- Effective communication skills
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Patience and understanding
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Ability to prioritise
- Attention to detail
- Satisfactory Police Records check - arranged by The Australian Ballet upon appointment

**Diversity and Inclusion**

As Australia's National Ballet Company, we are deeply committed to cultivating and sustaining an organisation that is equitable, fair and inclusive. Our aim is to become a truly inclusive organisation with a workforce that reflects Australia today. This is fundamental to The Australian Ballet's future success and our ability to continue to contribute to culture and society in Australia. We embrace diversity both on and off stage. The range of perspectives and experience diversity brings is an asset to our organisation and all those who work with us. We have developed a Diversity and Inclusion Plan and Reconciliation Action Plan to enable us to meet our diversity and inclusion aims, and our commitment to First Nation communities.

**Our Values**

**Ambition**
We perform at our best: challenging ourselves and each other, thinking beyond conventional practice and striving to achieve excellence in everything we do.

**Boldness**
We act innovatively and embrace change with confidence and courage.

**Inclusivity**
We are deeply committed to cultivating and sustaining an organisation that is equitable, fair and inclusive. We embrace diversity both on and off stage and strive to be a company where all communities feel a sense of belonging.

**Respect**
We treat all people with dignity and create trusted and enduring relationships with customers, colleagues and communities.

**Responsibility**
We seek out new and better ways of doing things, act accountably and understand the importance of balancing artistic risk with strategic and commercial outcomes. We strive for environmental sustainability and are conscious of how we use our resources.