Cutter/Draper

THE COMPANY

Opera Colorado is a resident company at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex in downtown Denver, with its headquarters located in Englewood, CO. The company employs over 300 people during its season, which spans September through May and serves over 60,000 patrons annually through its mainstage and education programs. The company, which has an annual operating budget in excess of $7.M, is known for opera productions of extraordinary artistry and innovation, encompassing a broad range of repertoire including contemporary works. The company navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with creativity and resilience and is proud to have returned to live performances once again, just having completed the 2021/22 season with productions of Puccini’s Tosca, Moravec and Campbell’s The Shining and Bizet’s Carmen. The 2022/23 season marks the 40th Anniversary of the Company and it’s most ambitious season.  The company is also known for its outstanding education and community engagement programs supported by the nationally recognized Artists in Residence program, which focuses on the development of emerging artistic talent through main stage performance opportunities, community education programs, statewide touring productions and access to teaching artists of the highest quality. The company is led by General & Artistic Director, Greg Carpenter, who since 2007 has produced an exciting mix of traditional and contemporary repertoire including several world and Colorado premieres attracting artists from around the globe, all while growing audiences and creating an inclusive, equitable and diverse work environment.

OUR MISSION

We are a dynamic team of individuals passionate about our work and helping each other achieve our greatest potential. Adventure, curiosity, and transparency are at the heart of our team. We create great art, celebrate individuality, encourage growth, and have fun doing it. Our mission is to connect our Colorado Community to the emotions and stories of the world through traditional and innovative opera and educational training programming that is accessible to all. We believe that opera plays a vital role in enriching our community. Every day, Opera Colorado removes barriers to make opera accessible and affordable and tells stories that excite and connect us in meaningful ways. Our distinct contribution to our city’s cultural life is centered on our grand opera productions at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, with additional performances and educational experiences presented live and distributed digitally throughout the seven-county metropolitan area and across the state.

OUR VISION AND VALUES

We aspire to build a family of opera lovers, who reflect the multi-cultural fabric of our community. Our work will tell the great stories of opera, past, present, and future, showcasing diverse talent and innovative approaches that serve as a model for our community and the industry at large. To advance our mission and vision, the Opera Colorado staff has identified a set of core values that aim to inform our organizational culture and decision-making.

• We foster Creativity in every aspect of our work—from the originality of our productions and educational experiences, to the way we innovate and solve problems.
• We are Tenacious in forging new paths and overcoming challenges—we don’t give up when the going gets tough!
• We are Passionate about opera, our patrons, and our colleagues—we celebrate our dedication to creating the most compelling opera experiences for the widest audiences.
• We approach our daily work with a high level of Integrity—focusing on respectful, professional, and transparent actions, treating others as we would hope to be treated, and creating a trusting work environment.
• We strive to create an Inclusive environment—providing equal access to all opportunities within the company and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and safe.
• We know Humor fosters camaraderie and friendship—allowing us to maintain a lighthearted perspective and helping us view stressful events as opportunities.
• We exist to serve our Community but we also work collaboratively as a Community of professionals—respecting our individual and collective talents and opinions, while building strong bonds between the company and our patrons.

The Cutter/Draper is a key member of the Company’s Costume Shop reporting to the Costume Director and is responsible for the execution of costume drafting/draping and the supervision of costume construction or alterations. The Cutter/Draper is also responsible for assisting the Costume Director in facilities and asset management supervising equipment maintenance and ensuring adequate stock of tools, consumable, supplies, and notions.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct and supervise the work of First Hands and Stitchers in the costume shop.
• Measure all rental costumes after they arrive to assist with costume assignments.
• Establish and supervise alteration methods ensuring safety of rental packages.
• Draft and drape patterns as needed for supplemental looks to rental packages requested by directors or for construction of new shows completed in house.
• Supervise and perform cutting, construction, alterations, notes, and repairs. 
• Participate in fittings with Costume Director.
• Attend all dress rehearsals and subsequent tech notes sessions.
• Be onsite during all show calls to assist with emergency repairs or to step in as a backup dresser if needed.
• Assist Costume Director with load out of the venue.
• Supervise and conduct alteration restorations as required by the rental package.
• Assist Costume Director with receiving, packing, and shipping of rental packages.
• Supervise maintenance on shop equipment and inventory.
• Enforce Opera Colorado policies, procedures, and work rules.
• Maintain measurements database.
• Maintain a clean, safe work environment.
• Maintain a positive and communicative atmosphere in the workroom and with management and mediates any conflicts among personnel or with designers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in costume construction, fittings, and alterations working with a wide variety of materials.
• Proficient in drafting and draping patterns for costumes especially period clothing.
• Proficient in advanced sewing techniques.
• Proficient in the preparation, use, and troubleshooting of costume shop equipment.
• 1 to 2 years of supervisory experience
• Able to use and navigate a compute, search the internet, and perform simple edits documents and spreadsheets.
• Experience as a draper/cutter in a professional costume shop is preferred but not required
• Flexibility for evening and weekend hours

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• A mission-driven individual with a belief in and commitment to Opera Colorado’s mission, artistic vision, and values.
• An organized leader capable of delegating tasks and managing time and projects effectively under production deadlines
• A good listener, able to analyze and formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan.
• A flexible and creative individual who can find alternative ways to reach objectives when barriers arise, a skilled negotiator.
• A team builder – confident and competent; one who understands the subtleties of motivating and directing a diverse group of personalities with different work styles.
• Emotionally mature with a good sense of humor and the flexibility and sensitivity to work with diverse personalities and situations.

The Cutter/Draper is a seasonal, exempt position working 30 contract weeks during the season earning a weekly salary. They may also be requested to work, as available, on projects and planning during non-contract weeks and during such work will be paid hourly. Pay range is $1,000 to $1,160 per contract week and $25 to $29 per hour during non-contract weeks depending on experience.

2022 – 2023 SEASON CONTRACT WEEKS SCHEDULE

The Cutter/Draper will be on contract weeks during the following periods:

• September 12, 2022 – November 27, 2022 (11 weeks)
• January 9, 2023 – May 21, 2023 (19 weeks)

2022 – 2023 SEASON PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

All weekday performances are 7:30pm and Sunday performances are 2:00pm. *November 10th is a student matinee with a 10:00am curtain.

• VERDI’S RIGOLETTO: November 5, 8, *10, 11, 13 | 2022
• KORNGOLD’S DIE TOTE STADT: February 25, 28 and March 3, 5 | 2023
• PUCCINI’S TURANDOT: May 6, 9, 12, 14 | 2023