HEAD DRESSER

The HEAD DRESSER is responsible for the running, maintenance, laundry and dressing aspects of the production’s costumes during rehearsal and show periods. They supervise the DRESSERS and running crew, and is further responsible, through her staff, for ensuring the performers are properly costumed prior to their entrances on-stage.

The responsibilities of the HEAD DRESSER, in addition to those of a HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, shall include but not be limited to:

PRIOR TO THE DRESS REHEARSAL PERIOD

• Obtains from the WARDROBE SUPERVISOR a complete COSTUME PLOT, outlining which performer wears which costume; copies this plot for the DRESSERS
• Initiates a meeting with the WARDROBE SUPERVISOR to discuss the number of DRESSERS needed for a particular production and any specific instructions regarding costumes requiring special handling
• Ensures they are completely familiar with production’s costume requirements, including quick changes and their timings, and any other complicated changes;
• Attends rehearsal to ascertain the physical conditions and placement of quick changes
• Arranges, through the STAGE MANAGER and TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, for the placement and erection of quick change booths, if required
• Is responsible, with the WARDROBE SUPERVISOR, for the smooth transition of costumes from the Production Wardrobe to the Maintenance Wardrobe

NOTE: Although the WARDROBE SUPERVISOR supervises the HEAD DRESSER, all responsibility for the finished costumes (running, maintenance, strike and dry cleaning) rests with the HEAD DRESSER

DURING THE DRESS REHEARSAL AND SHOW PERIOD

• Schedules and supervises all DRESSERS and wardrobe running crew; ensures each staff member is aware of the theatre’s rules and policies
• Ensures staff TIMESHEETS are completed and tracks these hours for department and production purposes
• Is responsible for all laundry, maintenance of, and repairs to, the production’s costumes (including hats, footwear, wigs and accessories)
• Assigns projects and tasks to each staff member, distributing the workload equally
• Ensures that wardrobe staff remain in the dressing room area at all times, unless they are assigned to off-stage changes
• Arrives at the theatre in sufficient time prior to the actors’ call to do any laundry or pressing (usually 2-3 hours before curtain)
• Stocks a supply of sewing materials (pins, pre-threaded needles, scissors, buttons, etc) to be used in the case of maintenance or emergency repairs
• Ensures all undergarments, dress shields and socks are laundered promptly after the performance; keeps a supply of these items on-hand to allow the performers to change for their comfort, if requested, during the performance
• Accounts for all costume pieces prior to, and following, the performance
• Checks, and ensures, that each performer goes on-stage in a complete and accurate costume
• Ensures that dressing room and laundry areas are kept clean, tidy and organized
• Enforces the NO VISITORS BACKSTAGE policy, keeping visitors away from the dressing room areas between the half hour call and the end of the performance
• Enforces the NO EATTING OR SMOKING IN COSTUME policy
• Is responsible for ensuring all equipment (irons, steamers, washers/dryers, etc) is functioning smoothly, to allow work to continue unhindered
• Notifies the Faculty HEAD OF COSTUME and the PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER when any piece of equipment is not working
• Costs, in conjunction with the WARDROBE SUPERVISOR, and co-ordinates the dry cleaning of costumes, after the strike
• Arranges for the return of borrowed and rented items

This information is intended as a guideline only. It is not intended to replace the required reading or research in your area, or information gained in the classroom.

To be used in conjunction with the HEAD OF DEPARTMENT job description.

The demands of this position, and the hours worked, will vary with each production.

THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION MAY BE ALTERED WITHOUT NOTICE BY THE RESIDENT STAFF AND FACULTY