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 Senior Craftsperson (Bijoux) is responsible for the execution of all textile embellishment, jewelry fabrication and accessory building required to support the design needs of assigned production(s). The Senior Craftsperson collaborates directly with the Designer, Assistant Designer, Cutter, the Props department and other Craft departments to achieve design goals and meet production timelines, relying on an extensive knowledge of costume history, materials, techniques, and construction methods. The Senior Craftsperson applies a wide range of decorative processes, including hand and machine sewing, decorative techniques, metalwork and jewelry construction, beading, appliqué and trim fabrication, embroidery, weaving, and other textile arts for costumes and accessories. This role functions as a lead craftsperson across multiple productions, balancing assigned show responsibilities while supporting additional projects as needed. The Senior Craftsperson attends dress rehearsals and other production events to assist in executing notes, maintains accurate documentation of techniques and materials, and collaborates with wardrobe management and fellow craftspersons to coordinate workloads and timelines. Responsibilities also include supervising and mentoring junior staff when assigned, maintaining the bijoux workspace and equipment, managing supply orders, and upholding production standards. This is a unionized position reporting to the Costume Director and represented by IATSE Local 357.
Responsibilities:
- Interpret sketches and design references and collaborate with Designers and others to ensure all elements of costume design are realized in the final product.
- Execute all pulling, sampling, construction and finishing as required by the decoration and accessory design needs of each assigned production.
- Attend design meetings, fittings and technical/dress rehearsals as needed.
- Maintain accurate show records, including a show binder, sample sheets and formula records for each assigned production.
- Work closely with Heads of Wardrobe to deliver finished costumes within pre-determined timelines, build hours and budgets, 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.
- Collaborate with the other Bijoux craftspersons on workload assignments, timelines and budget assessments, and assist with projects for all productions, as required.
- Supervise and train junior craftspersons, as required
- Provide specific care instructions for the maintenance of costumes for the run of the show, as needed.
- Oversee regular shop maintenance tasks and liaise with Wardrobe Management to manage shop supply stock, repair requests, and year-end clean-up.
- 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 duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Post-secondary diploma program, typically a two year program, or equivalent, (i.e. Community college, Technical Institute or Trade School, etc.)
- 4 to 6 years at an equivalent responsibility level and proven experience in working in the theatre or film industry in a related area.
- Proven knowledge of costume and accessory history and demonstrated proficiency working with a variety of decorative techniques, fabrics, metals, craft materials, glues, solvents and other related products.
- Ability to adapt techniques and processes to meet the physical demands of theatrical costuming, long production runs and repeated laundering.
- 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 work within a team professionally and effectively. Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task while working in a busy environment.
- Ability to stand for long periods, work in hot and humid environments, lift up to 50lbs and work overtime, as required.
- Experience working with iPads and Microsoft Office Suite is an asset.
Behavioural Competencies:
- Attention to Detail: meticulously review work and ensure accuracy and precision in all tasks.
- Communication: actively listen and effectively transmit and receive information
- 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 contributions
- Organization skills: create structure and optimally use resources to achieve results and ensure productivity
- Diplomacy: show discretion and tact in dealing with a variety of stakeholders.
This seasonal full-time unionized posting is for an existing vacancy located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin January 2027. 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 Rate: $35.63 - $43.57
Application Deadline: August 30, 2026.
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.
