The Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet, formerly known as the Madison Civic Ballet, was founded in 1992 and has been a dynamic force in enriching the cultural community of central Mississippi. Jennifer Beasley has been the company’s Artistic Director for the past 26 years and under her direction MMB has grown into a company dedicated to providing both excellence in classical ballet training and opportunities for young dancers in the metro Jackson area.
The Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet presents a full production of The Nutcracker each December with a cast of over 100 dancers, as well as a Spring Gala in March. The Spring Gala showcases a repertoire of classical and contemporary ballets. MMB has collaborated with both the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and the Lima, Ohio Symphony as guest artists. MMB’s outreach program has grown to reach over 1,500 students annually in areas underserved by the arts.
MMB hosts an annual Summer Intensive which challenges the company by working with master teachers and choreographers from around the world. Company members have also been accepted and awarded scholarships for summer study at numerous workshops nationwide. In 2002, MMB was honored to have the only competitor in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson in over a decade who lived and trained in the state of Mississippi. Many MMB alumni are dancing professionally and in college programs across the United States.
The Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet was accepted into the Southeast Regional Ballet Association (SERBA) in 2008. MMB is the only company in the state of Mississippi that is a member of this prestigious organization. The acceptance of the company into Regional Dance America/Southeast was a definite milestone in MMB’s development, elevating the company to a higher plateau of endeavor. Affiliation with this dynamic organization has provided positive experiences for the dancers and directors, raising their levels of self-expectation, and has expanded their awareness of the dance world.
Costumes
Job Overview:
Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet (MMB), a pre-professional ballet company, seeks a costumes mistress to support our mission of bringing the beauty of ballet through performances of the highest artistic quality to the greater Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan area. This is a part-time or independent contractor position. A candidate is sought who will reflect the values of MMB and support the artistic director and dancers.
Job Requirements
- Must be proficient in hand sewing and machine sewing, experience with a serger/overlocker preferred
- Must be able to quickly assess and perform costume repairs as needed
- Must be highly organized and able to multi-task
- Must possess basic computer skills and check email regularly
- Must have weekend and evening availability
- Must be able to communicate effectively with artistic director and volunteers
- Must be able to work with and communicate effectively with children ages 7-18, usually in groups
Job Responsibilities:
Costumes:
- Conduct costume fittings for MMB Company dancers, non-Company dancers and guest artists
- Make alterations and repairs to costumes
- Construct new costumes as needed, under the instruction of the artistic director
- Transport costumes from costumes storage to the ballet studio for fittings
- Use costumes guides to count costumes and headpieces for a performance and get them ready to be transported to theatre
- Measure dancers accurately and keep record of dancers’ measurements
- Cleaning and organization of costumes as needed
Performances
- Be present at the theatre for dress rehearsals and performances to make any quick repairs or alterations to costumes as well as take direction from the artistic director for specific costume needs that may arise during that time
- Place all costumes and headpieces in the appropriate backstage areas
- Place all costumes guides in appropriate backstage areas
- Count costumes and headpieces after last performance
- Get costumes and headpieces ready to be taken back to storage facility
Clerical
- Keep accurate record of which dancer wears which costume(s) both on paper and electronically, making costumes guides
- Provide costumes guides to backstage volunteers at theatre
- Keep accurate record of specific alterations and repairs performed on costumes
- Check email at least once a day
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: Up to $15,000.00 per year
Expected hours: 5 – 20 per week
Benefits:
Payment frequency:
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- On call
- Weekends as needed
Application Question(s):
- Each of our dancers have a story about how they got to where they are in their dancing career. Tell us your story as it relates to sewing and how sewing got you to where you are today.
- Are you able to work in a fast paced environment that requires you to think creatively under stress? Please explain.
- An important part of this job is being able to make connections with both parent volunteers and our dancers. Please tell us a fun fact about yourself that will help us to not only remember you, but to also make a connection with you.
Experience:
- Sewing machine: 1 year (Required)
- Sewing: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Madison, MS 39110: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Madison, MS 39110