Wig Master and Makeup Designer

REPORTS TO: Production Design Director
STATUS: Exempt, Full Time, approx. 40 weeks per season
SALARY: Per CBA- Approx. $90,000 annually
BENEFITS: Per CBA (Vacation pay, health & welfare, annuity)
START DATE: July 2024
Through artistic excellence coupled with innovative, relevant programming; initiatives to connect with and grow new audiences; engagement with communities to ignite creativity across Chicago; and a modernized Opera House that is the setting for truly great experiences, Lyric is leading the advancement of opera. This collaborative vision will deliver ever more exciting, thought-provoking, and inclusive audience and community experiences - while increasing the gravitational pull of our art form, our company, and our city.
We are searching for a talented design professional to manage the Wig and Makeup department. This person will collaborate with designers/directors to create designs that realize their artistic vision, while making judicial use of in-house production assets and adhering to approved expense targets. They are also responsible for overseeing all Wig and Makeup production activity and staff for all rehearsals and productions. They will work closely with other colleagues in order to produce the highest quality work in a repertory environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with Designers and Directors to create Wig & Makeup Designs and services for all Lyric Events including performances, marketing projects as needed, and special events
• Act as Wigs & Makeup unit head and team leader; oversee all logistics related to day-to-day departmental administration.
• Supervise Wigs and Makeup Department Coordinator.
• Along with Department Coordinator, manage day staff scheduling and run crew hiring of I.A.T.S.E. Studio Mechanics Local 476 and ensure their appropriate training and utilization.
• Manage weekly payroll timekeeping with the Department Coordinator.
• Supervise full-time Wigs & Makeup staff; plan out strategy for construction and styling of necessary wigs/makeup elements, provide any historical reference documentation, establish work goals, delegate tasks, and monitor progress.
• Recommend vendors for purchasing of supplies and equipment; as necessary, consult with supervisor on appropriate businesses/individuals for outsourcing of special builds or assistance with surplus workload.
• Oversee reconciliation of credit card expenditures.
• Attend all rehearsals in Wigs and Makeup as needed.
• Attend all after-rehearsal meetings for production notes.
• Consult with supervisor and other members of the management team to assist in the development of reasonable and accurate budget projections for the Wigs and Makeup function.
• Oversee creation of production documentation with photos of artistic and technical information.
• Interface and work cooperatively with other Lyric production groups, including Wardrobe, Stage Management & Direction, Company Management, Artistic, Stagehands and Technical; provide necessary support/expertise and assist with problem-solving for multi-functional projects.
• Maintain a positive and communicative atmosphere in the workroom and mediate any conflicts among personnel or with designers.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• 3+ years of experience, creativity and resourcefulness in wig making, mask making, and special effects makeup.
• 3+ years professional management experience is required.
• Knowledge of period styles pertaining to art and costuming.
• Knowledge of art history and opera is useful but not essential.
• Ability to express/understand aesthetic ideas through drawing and visual research materials.
• Strong budgetary experience.
• Experience working in a shop environment.
• Experience with collective bargaining agreements is a plus.
• Experience working with IATSE and AGMA or Actors' Equity is a plus.
• Strong personnel management skills required.
• Flexible, focused and well-organized team player.
• Strong verbal, quantitative, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately with attention to detail.
• Must be computer literate.
• Skills in communication, staff supervision and workflow organization are all essential.

WORK CONDITIONS:

• Ability to operate a computer keyboard and mouse and handle other office equipment.
• Must be able to work nights and weekends, as required.
• Union membership with I.A.T.S.E. Studio Mechanics Local 476 will be required upon hiring.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to enhancing our diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Lyric prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state or local laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.