Shoe Dyeing Technician

New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with a roster of spectacular dancers and an unparalleled repertory. Founded in 1948 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, New York City Ballet quickly became world-renowned for its athletic and contemporary style. Widely acknowledged for its enduring contributions to dance, New York City Ballet is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers. The School of American Ballet is the official training academy of the New York City Ballet.

Position Overview

New York City Ballet is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Shoe Dyeing Technician to support its ballet productions. This role is an integral part of the shoe department, ensuring that footwear integrates seamlessly with costumes and choreography. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise in shoe dyeing, a refined eye for color, and the ability to work efficiently in the fast-paced environment of a professional ballet company.

The position is covered by the Local 764 Union, with all benefits governed by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This is a permanent, part-time seasonal position with work determined by performance and touring schedules.

Key Responsibilities

• Dye women’s pointe shoes, men’s ballet slippers, and specialty performance footwear
• Create custom colors using color theory to accurately match costumes and design requirements
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of shoe dyeing materials, techniques, and basic shoe repairs
• Maintain consistency and craftsmanship while processing large volumes of shoes
• Maintain a catalog of custom dye formulas and swatch records to ensure color consistency across productions and cast changes
• Meet tight deadlines associated with rehearsals, performances, and tours
• Collaborate closely with the Shoe Department Manager and wardrobe teams
• Support productions both on site and while touring, as required

Qualifications

• Proven experience dyeing professional dance footwear preferred
• Strong understanding of color theory and custom color matching
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure in a high volume production setting
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality and consistency
• Theatrical production knowledge and/or prior ballet wardrobe experience preferred

Schedule & Work Conditions

• Permanent, part time seasonal position (approximately 24 hours per week & 33 non-consecutive weeks per year)
• Hours vary based on rehearsal, performance, and tour schedules
• Ability to work is a confined space
• Ability to navigate stairs and stand for extended periods of time
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends during performance weeks
• Availability to travel domestically and internationally as required

EEO Statement

New York City Ballet is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship status, disability, pregnancy, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, military status or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, unemployment status, familial status, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history or any other characteristic protected by law.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

New York City Ballet, one of the foremost ballet companies in the world, pursues the highest levels of artistic excellence and innovation. Therefore, we seek to attract, retain, and cultivate the most talented dancers, musicians, designers, stage technicians, and arts administrators. To this end, we are deeply committed to creating and sustaining an organizational culture that values and reflects inclusion, equity, and access for all.  We are inspired by our founders, George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, who envisioned an authentically American expression of ballet with a company that reflects the rich cultural diversity of this nation. In pursuit of their vision, we are committed to all by educating, developing, and supporting an organization that welcomes and amplifies the voices and lived experiences of everyone.