Who We Are:
Based in Stratford, Ontario, the Stratford Festival is one of the world’s foremost repertory theatre companies. It operates year-round, presenting a season of about a dozen plays each year between the months of April and November, a rich stream of digital content and hundreds of events designed to deepen understanding of the plays. For every person a theatregoer sees on our stages, we have seven people working behind the scenes, some of the world’s most dedicated and experienced arts workers.
The Stratford Festival is committed to ongoing work to support equity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression in all areas of our work. These areas include play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, production, design, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors.
Why You Should Apply:
Creative work environment
Employee Assistance Program to encourage work-life balance and strong mental health
Complimentary & discounted ticket offers and events
Employee discounts on merchandise and event space
Being a part of the magic of live theatre!
The Cutter is responsible for interpreting costume sketches and design references to ensure all elements of costume design are accurately realized in the final product. This role involves drafting, draping, and cutting costume pieces, supervising their construction and alteration, and attending fittings to ensure proper execution and fit. Reporting to the Costume Director, the Cutter collaborates with designers, sewers, and production teams to support the artistic vision and meet production timelines. This position also manages workloads across multiple productions, directs a team of sewers with training and evaluations, and coordinates with Wardrobe Management on shop maintenance and supply inventory to support efficient costume production processes.
Responsibilities:
Interpret sketches and design references and take direction from designers to ensure all elements of costume design are realized in the final product.
Execute the drafting and/or draping and cutting of all built costume pieces.
Supervise the construction of all built costumes and the alteration of all other costumes, as required.
Request and attend all fittings for assigned costumes.
Work closely with Heads of Wardrobe to deliver finished costumes within time and budgetary constraints, including regular updates on estimated hours to complete.
Manage workloads and timelines in a repertory schedule, including balancing the needs of multiple productions and designers simultaneously.
Direct a team of multiple sewers and provide training, instruction, and evaluations, as required.
Attend all meetings, rehearsals, and technical events, as required.
Oversee regular shop maintenance tasks and liaise with Wardrobe Management to manage shop supply stock and repair requests.
Adhere to the Stratford Festival Health & Safety Commitment and Procedures and ensure that safe work practices and policies are supported and enforced within reporting structure.
Foster a caring and inclusive work environment consistent with all Stratford Festival policies on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Perform other wardrobe duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
A minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a Costume Cutter in a professional theatre company, film industry or equivalent.
Demonstrated proficiency in men’s and/or women’s garment construction, including both flat patternmaking and draping techniques.
Professional experience working in the field of theatrical costume construction.
Knowledge of costume history, modern and period silhouettes and how to adapt them for theatrical costumes. Familiarity with men’s soft tailoring, children’s clothing, corsetry, structural shapes, and knitwear is an asset.
Thorough understanding of the costume design and construction processes and a working knowledge of all related aspects of theatre production.
Ability to work productively under pressure and successfully manage the demands of multiple productions simultaneously.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to manage a team professionally and effectively. Supervisory experience is an asset.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Experience working with iPads and Microsoft Office Suite is an asset.
Behavioural Competencies:
Communication: actively listen and effectively transmit and receive information
Leadership: successfully guide others to maximize their capabilities to achieve a collective goal; help them to succeed and thrive
Adaptability / Agility: seamlessly adjust to changes in environment or situation; readily learn alternative approaches and methods
Time Management: efficiently allocate and use time to meet goals and deadlines, prioritize tasks as necessary.
Initiative: proactively execute tasks and resolve issues with minimal guidance
Teamwork: readily work with others towards a shared goal, actively support teammates and recognize everyone’s contribution
Organization skills: create structure and optimally use resources to achieve results and ensure
Problem-Solving: able to identify challenges, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions.
Results oriented: diligently pursue a project to fruition and inspire others to do the same.
Attention to Detail: meticulously review work and ensure accuracy and precision in all tasks.
This posting expires November 29, 2025.
This seasonal full-time posting is for an existing vacancy located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin January 2026. This position requires the candidate to work onsite. Regular work hours for this position are Monday to Friday, but may require the candidate to work holiday and weekend hours as scheduled.
Job Type: Seasonal Full-Time
Hourly Range: $33.65 - $43.70
Shared Values:
Inclusion: contribute to an environment where everyone is welcome, valued and respected; consistently demonstrate an open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity that promote and celebrate the diversity of perspectives.
Innovation: put experience and knowledge into creative problem-solving and the continuous improvement of the organization.
Rigor: show integrity in behaviour, attention to detail in work and commitment to excellence and professional evolution
Caring: be empathetic, understanding and attentive to others
Connection: establish and maintain trusting relationships that are respectful and constructive
Who Should Apply:
We welcome applicants of every identity, and encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Deaf, disabled and 2SLGBTQ+ folks. We are committed to accommodating people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and beyond. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternative format documents, ASL Interpreter or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our recruitment team know.
No candidate will meet every desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you!
If you would like to contribute your own remarkable talents to North America’s largest not-for-profit theatre, we’d like to hear from you.
