Position Overview
The Gentlemen’s Cutter is responsible for the interpretation of costume designs to meet the designer’s needs and for cutting, fitting and constructing costumes. The Gentlemen’s Cutter position is non-touring however, on occasion; interstate or overseas travel is required.
Our Company
The Australian Ballet is one of the world’s leading national ballet companies and a globally recognised Australian major performing arts organisation. Each year the company presents upwards of 220 performances through its main stage seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth along with public programs, special events, an extensive regional tour, a Children’s Ballet and Education programs and regular overseas tours.
Orchestra Victoria, (OV), provides pit services for ballet and opera in Victoria, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Australian Ballet. The Australian Ballet and Orchestra Victoria have an annual turnover of more than $70 million and employ over 265 staff.
Diversity and Inclusion
At The Australian Ballet, diversity and inclusion are integral to our mission to create an extraordinarily vibrant and successful company, and to present performances that represent Australian culture at its best. We believe that our workforce should reflect the rich diversity of the Australian community.
We embrace difference and diversity of identity, experience and thought, and we actively strive to create an inclusive workplace. By promoting these values, we aim to create a positive work experience that encourages a sense of belonging.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Consult with coordinator & designers to establish cut and shape of costumes
- Develop patterns from designs supplied
- Establish toiles for designers, as required
Construction of new costumes
- Assist the costume Coordinator with planning quantities of fabrics required
- Cut costumes
- Supervise and instruct costumiers to sew costumes
- Conduct and supervise fittings and include costumiers when appropriate
Refurbishment of costumes
- Oversee the refurbishment, repair and refit of existing productions and when required assess any additional costumes required to cover the casts
- Assist Coordinator with planning quantities of fabrics required
- Conduct and supervise fittings and include costumiers when appropriate
- Liaise with all department peers, including millinery and wigs as required
Staff management
- Assist Wardrobe Manager with assessing casual staffing requirements
- Supervise the work in progress – fitting to completed costume
- Reporting Costumier performance to senior cutter and assist with training and support to staff
- Encourage and maintain a productive and amicable working relationship between all workroom staff
Measurement files and stock control
- Maintain files of dancers’ measurements
- Record materials used and assist in the notation of relevant files for archiving
- Undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by senior gentleman’s cutter and head of costume
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Extensive experience in cutting costume, specifically men’s tailoring
- Extensive experience in costume construction and maintenance
- Satisfactory Police Records check – arranged by The Australian Ballet
- High level of cutting and costume making skills
- Knowledge of fabric and costume making
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to lead by example and work as part of a team
- Organisational skills and ability to plan and prioritise
- Self-motivated, patient and flexibility
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.