Costumes Apprentice at Trinity Repertory Company

Providence, Rhode Island, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 May, 26

Salary

17.0

Posted On

14 Feb, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Costume Building, Costume Alterations, Wardrobe Assistance, Wig Maintenance, Crafts, Quick Changes Choreography, Wardrobe Paperwork Formatting, Laundry, Costume Preparation, Costume Maintenance, Collaboration, Growth Mindset, Learning, Costume Shop Equipment, Laundry Equipment

Industry

Performing Arts

Description

Description Job Title: Costumes Apprentice Department: Costumes Reports To: Costume Shop Director FLSA Status: Non-exempt, Full-Time, Seasonal Pay Tier: 1 Compensation: $16/hour in 2026, $17/hour in 2027 Desired Start Date: September 2026 Summary: Trinity Repertory Company’s apprenticeship program offers intensive professional training at a Tony Award-winning regional theater. Apprentices are an integral part of our theater company and serve alongside our staff in artistic, administrative, and production-based departments. The apprentice program is looking for artists and professionals ages 21 and up who are hoping to launch careers in theater. Apprentices will learn on the job for approximately 35 weeks. To be considered for an apprenticeship, you must complete the online application in Paylocity. You will need to upload the following documents: · Professional Resume · Cover Letter Applications without these attachments will not be considered. Select departments may request additional materials including references, portfolios, or writing samples. Details and Benefits: $16/hour in 2026, $17/hour in 2027, for 40 hours/week · Paid time off, including floating holidays, personal days, sick time, and 5 days of vacation · Six available spots in Trinity Rep’s provided apprentice housing among nine apprentice positions. Local applicants with existing housing encouraged to apply. · For those in Trinity Rep provided housing, utilities provided (heat, electricity, water, & Wi-Fi). This is a taxable benefit. Additional Benefits: · Complimentary tickets to all productions · Invitation to opening night performances and reception · Monthly professional development and seminar series · Eligible for Trinity Rep health insurance – employee contribution is $60/month, subject to change July 1, 2026 · 401(k) retirement plan · Staff discount on Trinity Rep concessions and merchandise · Opportunity to take free acting classes · Strong community of staff and former interns/apprentices Apprentices may be able to work in other positions at the theater during their contracted 35 weeks. Overtime may be required on occasion and will be compensated at time and a half. Depending on their schedule, apprentices may be able to take additional work outside the theater as long as it does not interfere with their hours at Trinity Rep. The application deadline is April 1, 2026. Job Description: The Costumes Apprentice works as a full-time member of the costume department. The apprentice will switch off from either working in the costume shop, building and altering costumes, or working backstage on show call as a wardrobe assistant. This apprentice has the opportunity to build a piece from muslin all the way to a finished garment and will get many chances to add pieces in various stages of progress into their portfolios. They will also learn more about alterations, finishing work, wig maintenance, and crafts with flexibility to learn other specialized areas of interest. This apprentice learns the skills to organize and run a show from backstage; choreographing quick changes, formatting wardrobe paperwork, and doing practical laundry and costume prep/maintenance. This program requires a growth mindset, collaborative attitude, willingness to learn, and a positive outlook. A sense of humor is a plus! Requirements Learning Objective The main objective of this program is to teach the apprentice through hands-on experience in a safe working environment. The apprentice will be involved in every facet of theatrical costuming. It is an opportunity to see how each production has different costuming needs, including how different designers and shop staff approach solutions while collaborating with multiple departments, designers and actors. Qualifications: · 21+ years of age · Basic familiarity with costume shop/laundry equipment and concepts Physical Demands: · Comfortable working at heights up to 25 feet · Ability to lift 25 lbs Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. · The noise level in the work environment ranges from low to high. · Trinity Rep is a collaborative work environment, and employees are expected to be open and willing to collaborate across departments and teams. · This position requires work on mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays. · This position does not require travel. Trinity Repertory Company is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse, equitable, and anti-racist environment. For information about Trinity Rep’s commitment to antiracism, please visit trinityrep.com/antiracism. ABOUT TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY Rhode Island’s Tony Award-winning theater company, Trinity Rep has created unparalleled professional theater for and with its community since its founding in 1963. Trinity Rep is committed to reinventing the public square and inspiring dialogue by creating emotionally-stimulating productions and innovative education programs for all ages and abilities. Whether classical or contemporary, all of Trinity Rep’s productions connect audiences with the play and each other in meaningful and sometimes surprising ways. Its annual production of A Christmas Carol has brought families together for 40+ years and made memories for over a million audience members. Trinity Rep shapes the future of the nation’s theater through the development and production of new plays, as well as the tuition-free Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA program – one of the leading programs for actor and director training in the world. Trinity Rep strives to facilitate human connection through its commitment to forming meaningful community partnerships, creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, delivering exceptional customer service, and connecting patrons with its resident company of artists. Trinity Rep has resolved to place antiracism at the center of its work, and has embarked on a robust planning process to develop and implement a bold new vision for theater making, education, and community engagement, founded on the principles of genuine equity and antiracism. Located in downtown Providence, Trinity Rep has long been a driving force behind the creativity that fuels and defines the region. Typically employing over 250 artists, educators, and administrators, the organization generates nearly $21 million in direct and indirect economic activity annually. It is one of 76 theaters nationwide with membership in LORT (the League of Resident Theaters), the organization representing America’s leading professional theater companies. Learn more at www.trinityrep.com/about/. ABOUT THE COMMUNITY Ranked #1 in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s 2014 America’s Favorite Cities Survey, praised by Architectural Digest as “The country’s best small city,” and named America’s Coolest City by GQ Magazine in 2015, Providence is the capital and most populous city in Rhode Island. Founded in 1636, it is one of the oldest cities in the United States and the third-largest city in the New England region after Boston and Worcester. Providence has a city population of 180,609 and is part of the Providence metropolitan area with an estimated population of 1,622,520. The region is considered part of the Greater Boston combined statistical area, the sixth largest in the country, with over eight million residents. Once nicknamed the “Beehive of Industry,” Providence has rebranded itself as the “Creative Capital” to emphasize its educational resources (Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence College, Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University, and Johnson & Wales University) and arts community. Over the last twenty years, much of Providence has undergone a true civic renaissance, as political leaders and residents have propelled the city into an exciting place to work and live. City streets are packed with boutiques, hotels, renovated lofts, excellent restaurants, and art spaces. In addition to being the home of Trinity Repertory Company, Providence has a remarkable arts and culture community that includes nationally renowned community arts center, AS220; the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra; RISD Museum; Providence Athenaeum; Festival Ballet; and WaterFire. Providence is also home to several performing arts centers such as the Veterans Memorial Auditorium and the Providence Performing Arts Center, as well as a number of smaller theaters. The city’s music scene, centered on artist-run spaces, is well known in underground music circles. The restaurant scene in Providence is second to none and a source of immense pride for residents, as the city has been consistently recognized as a top city for food. Because of Rhode Island’s proximity to the ocean, many restaurants, grocery stores, and farmer’s markets boast food sourced from the state itself, giving real meaning to the phrase “farm-to-table” dining. From bakeries and coffee shops, to bars and food trucks, there is no shortage of fun, excellent, cutting-edge dining in the city.

Responsibilities

The apprentice will work full-time in the costume department, alternating between building and altering costumes in the shop and serving as a wardrobe assistant backstage during shows. This role offers hands-on experience building garments from muslin to completion, learning alterations, finishing work, wig maintenance, and backstage show organization including quick changes.