Wardrobe and Costume Assistant

Company: The Cape Town Opera Company

Position: Wardrobe and Costume Assistant
Reports to: Head of Production
Location: Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
Period: Full-time for 1 year
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 21 May 2025

Company Overview

Cape Town Opera, celebrated its 25th birthday in 2024, is one of the largest full-time performing arts institutions in South Africa and the only continuously active opera company on the African continent. The Company offers a diverse array of productions annually, from mainstage operas to musicals and concerts, catering to audiences of all ages.

Our role in championing South Africa’s exceptional vocal talent is crucial. We provide support and development opportunities through programmes like the National Schools Tour, the internationally award-winning Foundation Studio for high-school learners and the Judith Neilson Young Artist Programme for postgraduate singers, pianists, and conductors.

As a recipient of numerous accolades, Cape Town Opera is a torchbearer for excellence, inclusivity and employment within the theatre and arts industry. The Company is dedicated to safeguarding opera as part of South Africa’s cultural heritage, a commitment that spans the entire theatre industry, from singers to set builders, fostering the incredible talent found in every corner of South Africa.

Position Overview

The Wardrobe and Costume Assistant intern will be part of Cape Town Opera’s dynamic production and costume team. Reporting to the Wardrobe Manager, the intern will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of productions — from concerts to operas and musicals — and gain experience in multiple aspects of costume preparation and backstage operations. The role offers hands-on learning alongside top South African and international designers and stage management teams at a variety of national theatre venues.

Applicant Requirements:

  • Basic knowledge of the theatre production process
  • Good verbal communication skills
  • Basic computer and administrative skills
  • Ability to work within a structured department and as part of a team
  • Ability to work independently and follow instructions
  • Hands-on approach to production preparation
  • Flexibility to work variable hours, including evenings and weekends
  • Ability to work under pressure and alongside people with varying levels of experience

Applicant Responsibilities:

  • Assist the costume team in realising the production design and meeting deadlines
  • Follow detailed instructions based on the costume design brief
  • Help maintain and clean costumes, while gaining knowledge of garment care and textiles
  • Assist with costume shopping, returns and petty cash reconciliation
  • Source costumes from existing stock and learn about period costume history
  • Prepare workspaces such as fitting and dressing rooms
  • Assist artists with costume changes during performances
  • Help maintain the costume inventory and work in the company’s costume store
  • Support the upkeep of neat, safe and organised workspaces in the wardrobe department
  • Assist in related areas such as wigs and make-up when required

This opportunity is open to candidates that:

  1. Have a minimum qualification of matric
  2. Must be a South African citizen
  3. Between 18 and 34 years of age
  4. Have never held a full-time position before and preferably have not participated on a learnership or internship before
  5. Live within 50 kms from the Artscape Theatre Centre
  6. Not currently in full time studies and able to attend this internship full time
  7. Willing to be subjected to a credit and criminal check or any industry specific checks required for your job role

Application Procedure:

The position is a one-year contract commencing 01 July 2025 and the end date is 30 June 2026. We are based at the Cape Town Opera offices at the Artscape building in Cape Town.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 21 May 2025.

Please submit:

  1. A motivational letter detailing your specific interest in and skills applicable to the position.
  2. Your CV.
  3. Three contactable references.

Please note that applications that do not meet all three of the requirements listed above will not be considered.

Applications should be sent via email to geraldp@capetownopera.co.za ; all information will be kept confidential.

Cape Town Opera celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees.

Cape Town Opera reserves the right not to make an appointment.