Career Details
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Career Details

39-3092.00 - Costume Attendants


Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
6,200
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
6,700
Estimate
Change in Employment
500.0
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+8.8%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Distribute costumes or related equipment and keep records of item status.
  • Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
  • Return borrowed or rented items when productions are complete and return other items to storage.
  • Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs.
  • Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.
  • Purchase, rent, or requisition costumes or other wardrobe necessities.
  • Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.
  • Inventory stock to determine types or conditions of available costuming.
  • Collaborate with production designers, costume designers, or other production staff to discuss and execute costume design details.
  • Monitor, maintain, or secure inventories of costumes, wigs, or makeup, providing keys or access to assigned directors, costume designers, or wardrobe mistresses/masters.
  • Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
  • Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations.
  • Review scripts or other production information to determine a story's locale or period, as well as the number of characters and required costumes.
  • Study books, pictures, or examples of period clothing to determine styles worn during specific periods in history.
  • Provide dressing assistance to cast members or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.
Supplemental
  • Assign lockers to employees and maintain locker rooms, dressing rooms, wig rooms, or costume storage or laundry areas.
  • Direct the work of wardrobe crews during dress rehearsals or performances.
  • Recommend vendors and monitor their work.
  • Provide managers with budget recommendations and take responsibility for budgetary line items related to costumes, storage, or makeup needs.
  • Participate in the hiring, training, scheduling, or supervision of alteration workers.
  • Care for non-clothing items, such as flags, table skirts, or draperies.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Fine Arts
  • 73%
    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
 Design
  • 65%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Production and Processing
  • 64%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 63%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 English Language
  • 63%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Psychology
  • 62%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Administration and Management
  • 59%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Mechanical
  • 56%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Mathematics
  • 55%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Education and Training
  • 53%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 52%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Combination pliers
  • Multi tools
 Washing and drying equipment
  • Commercial dryers
  • Commercial washing machines
 Dry cleaning equipment
  • Dry cleaning equipment
 Domestic laundry appliances and supplies
  • Electric irons
  • Garment steamers
 Ironing equipment
  • Fabric pressing equipment
 Power tools
  • Hot glue guns
 Computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
 Other domestic household appliances
  • Multipurpose sewing machines
  • Sergers
  • Walking foot machines
 Art and craft cutting products
  • Portable electric fabric cutters
 Furniture
  • Portable ironing boards
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Business function specific software
  • Garment tracking software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific certifications are listed for this career
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Emory & Henry University
Northern Virginia Community College