Occupation

Costume Attendants

Human Advantage 69%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.2 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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

Also Known As: Costume Attendant, Costume Cutter, Costume Draper, Costume Dresser, Costume Mistress, Costume Seamstress, Costume Shop Coordinator, Costume Specialist +17 more

Core Tasks

  1. Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
  2. Provide dressing assistance to cast members or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.
  3. Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
  4. Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.
  5. Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations.
  6. Distribute costumes or related equipment and keep records of item status.
  7. Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.
  8. Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs.
  9. Collaborate with production designers, costume designers, or other production staff to discuss and execute costume design details.
  10. Monitor, maintain, or secure inventories of costumes, wigs, or makeup, providing keys or access to assigned directors, costume designers, or wardrobe mistresses/masters.
  11. Purchase, rent, or requisition costumes or other wardrobe necessities.
  12. Study books, pictures, or examples of period clothing to determine styles worn during specific periods in history.
  13. Return borrowed or rented items when productions are complete and return other items to storage.
  14. Review scripts or other production information to determine a story's locale or period, as well as the number of characters and required costumes.
  15. Inventory stock to determine types or conditions of available costuming.

Supplemental Tasks (6)

  1. Direct the work of wardrobe crews during dress rehearsals or performances.
  2. Participate in the hiring, training, scheduling, or supervision of alteration workers.
  3. Provide managers with budget recommendations and take responsibility for budgetary line items related to costumes, storage, or makeup needs.
  4. Assign lockers to employees and maintain locker rooms, dressing rooms, wig rooms, or costume storage or laundry areas.
  5. Recommend vendors and monitor their work.
  6. Care for non-clothing items, such as flags, table skirts, or draperies.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Create patterns for costumes based on designer's drawings.
  • Schedule costume fittings for actors.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
32%
Bachelor's Degree
30%
Some College Courses
15%
Less than a High School Diploma
10%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
8%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
4%
Master's Degree
2%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word

Software (7)

  • Database software
  • Garment tracking software
  • Web browser software

Tools & Equipment (23)

  • Combination pliers
  • Commercial dryers
  • Commercial washing machines
  • Data input scanners
  • Dry cleaning equipment
  • Electric irons
  • Fabric pressing equipment
  • Garment steamers
  • Hot glue guns
  • Labelmakers
  • Laptop computers
  • Measuring tapes
  • Mobile radios
  • Multi tools
  • Multipurpose sewing machines
  • Personal computers
  • Portable electric fabric cutters
  • Portable ironing boards
  • Sergers
  • Sewing needles
  • Tablet computers
  • Thimbles
  • Walking foot machines

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Performing Arts Arts, Entertainment, & Design

Zone 2
Costume Attendants You are here
Zone 3
Choreographers 76% match
Zone 4

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