Costume Technical Apprentice

We are now recruiting for a Costume Technical Apprentice to join us from September 2025, to work in our busy Production department. This opportunity provides experience, skills, knowledge and formal training whilst working on a range of professional theatre productions across our three stages and elsewhere.

 

Costume Technician Apprentice

Responsible to: Head of Costume, Deputy Head of Wardrobe

Contract: Full time, Fixed Term 24 months

Salary: National Minimum Wage (not apprentice wage)

40 hours per week

 

Job Purpose

To learn and apply the skills of a Costume technician, whilst studying the Level 3 Costume Technician – Stage and Screen Apprenticeship Standard in collaboration with Chichester College.

An Apprenticeship is an entry level paid employment position where you learn the required skills on the job under the supervision of our professional team. You will be given 1 day per week to study and/or attend college, either remotely or in person.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Costume Supervisor and Wardrobe team in ensuring that all costume aspects of the show are ready for the technical rehearsals, this may include undertaking alterations, fittings, shopping or breaking down costumes as required.
• Assist the actors in performances and rehearsals with their costumes including quick changes and to be available to the actors allocated to them on or off stage as appropriate
• Attend technical, dress and costume understudy rehearsals when requested
• Dress actors as allocated by the Head of Costume or Wardrobe Manager before the performance and to help them change out of costume at the end of performances and to hang up their costumes, returning appropriate costumes and laundry to Wardrobe
• Recognise where maintenance work needs to be carried out on a costume and return it to the wardrobe manager or assistant and make a note of it
• Perform repairs, alterations and labelling of costumes as directed by the wardrobe team
• Write up and maintain clear and concise notes of all the costumes allocated to them. These notes will consist of costume plot, pre-set notes, daily laundry. Enabling casuals or other wardrobe staff to cover, without prior knowledge of the production.
• Attend press photo calls/ EPK filming ensuring that costumes are ready and providing assistance as required
• To assist with the unpacking of costumes and their return to designated storage areas as required
• Assist with alterations, embellishments and making of costume items under the guidance of the Wardrobe team
• Ensure that equipment is left in a safe and secure condition at the end of each performance.
• Ensure a safe working environment in technical areas and in other areas is maintained
• Work collaboratively to reach the relevant Greenbook standard benchmark on productions as defined and be sustainably minded in all decisions.
• Attend Chichester College seminars and commit to course study to complete a level 3 Apprenticeship
• Undertake an end point assessment as part of the level 3 Apprenticeship
• Undertake any additional training required by Chichester College in the form of functional skills (Mathematics and English)
• Work closely with the nominated workplace mentor at CFT who will support the apprentice with completion of their coursework and portfolio

 

This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the employee will be required to perform duties outside of this as operationally required and at the discretion of the Head of Costume and Wardrobe Manager or the Technical Director

The job will at times require unsociable working hours.

 

Responsibilities of all Staff Members

• Be aware of the work of the other departments in the achievement of CFT’s aims
• Take an active part in communicating and co-operating with all staff and departments
• Follow guidelines, procedures and policies provided by the company in relation to financial management and personnel records
• Work in accordance with the Equal Opportunities policy of CFT
• Be aware of, and comply with, the rules and legislation pertaining to Health and Safety at work
• Be an active ambassador for CFT, its aims, objectives and values
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment at all times
• Commit to CFT’s environmental policies to reach carbon net zero and collaborate with us in finding innovative solutions towards more sustainable theatre-making

 

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• A professional approach to working with artists of all genders in various states of dress
• Good housekeeping skills
• The ability to communicate with staff at all levels
• The ability to work well under pressure
• Good communication skills – both written and verbal
• Good at working in a team
• Commitment to achieving high standards with the resources available
• Flexible approach to working, including the ability to work unsocial hours
• Interest in and commitment to making theatre accessible to all community sectors, and to CFT’s Equal Opportunities Policy

Desirable Criteria

• Use of a variety of sewing techniques by hand and using a machine including overlocking

Qualifications Desirable

• GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), in English and Mathematics
• ICT qualification or experience is desirable

 

How to apply

When you’re ready to apply, please send your  CV and a covering letter or a video to recruitment@cft.org.uk by 10am 11 July. Remember to say what role you are applying for as we have other recruitment happening alongside this post.

What we would like to see included in your CV is: 

• Details of your educational qualifications
• Details of any work, work experience and any experience over the last two years – paid or voluntary

What we would like to see in your covering letter/video is: 

• Why is this post of interest to you?
• How you came to discover your passion for Theatre Costume?
• What do you hope to gain from this apprenticeship?
• What makes you the best candidate?
• Let us know any experience or knowledge you have of theatre or live events that you feel is relevant to show us your passion for the live arts industry. (Maximum 500 words)

And

• Please tell us about your personal interests, hobbies and achievements that you are proud of so we can get a sense of who you are.  (Maximum 250 words)

If you need a change to be made to help you with your application, please contact us at recruitment@cft.org.uk. Please tell us what changes or help you might need. We are here to support you.

A few more things…

We’re an Equal Opportunities employer. We embrace and celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skillsets. We passionately believe that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better we’ll be as a company, an employer, a community hub and a theatre. We actively encourage applications from people that have been traditionally under-represented in the arts.

We really value people who will bring unique perspectives and will add new knowledge to our team. The Theatre has an equality of opportunity approach and aspires to give everyone the chance to achieve their potential.

You may already have seen that CFT are Disability Confident and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture.

CFT have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer practice across our organisation.

This post is part of Chichester Festival Theatre’s Production department and is based at Chichester. Flexible working will be required according to workload and will include regular evening and weekend working. There will be some travel outside of Chichester, mainly to London.

All appointments are made subject to satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

11/07/2025