DRESSER – Job Description
Reports to Head of Wardrobe
The Show
THE BIGGEST PARTY ON LONDON’S GREATEST STAGE
The Tony Award®-winning new musical THE GREAT GATSBY is coming to London, and will be the party of the century. Fresh from Broadway, this “shimmering, sparkling spectacle” (Variety) “explodes with life and energy” (Entertainment Weekly).
Directed by Marc Bruni, this story of extravagance and longing is based on the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
THE PARTY STARTS SPRING 2025
Opening at the London Coliseum for a strictly limited run, get ready for the ride because EVERYONE IS INVITED.
Purpose of Job
Dressers work within the wardrobe department and are responsible for setting costumes ready for the performance, assisting cast members with costume changes backstage and maintaining the standard of costumes. The Designer’s original specification and look of the production must be maintained.
Duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:
• Dressing male and female actors as allocated by the Head of Wardrobe before the performance.
• Assisting performers in performances with their costumes, including quick changes.
• Setting out every part of each costume including accessories in the dressing rooms and other parts of the theatre where costume changes are to occur.
• Helping actors to change at the end of performance and to hang up their costumes, returning appropriate costumes and laundry to the Wardrobe.
• Attending technical, dress and costume understudy rehearsals for the purpose of observing and learning dressing tracks and to be available to the performers allocated to them on or off stage as appropriate.
• Dealing with emergency repairs to costumes.
• Reporting any losses and unsafe practices in dressing rooms to the Head of Wardrobe.
• Ensure that security, safety and good housekeeping procedures for the department are properly carried out.
• Work collaboratively with other departments, including the Theatre’s technical team, to ensure the smooth running of the show.
• Liaising with the Company Manager/creative team regarding daily cast changes and preparing the costume changes accordingly;
• Being present for all rehearsals, show calls, maintenance calls, get-ins, fit-ups and get-outs as
required;
• Recognising where maintenance work needs to be carried out on a costume outside of the theatre
and to bring this to the attention of the Production/General Manager so this may be scheduled to ensure no show delays;
• Ensuring that security, safety and good housekeeping procedures for the department are properly carried out;
• Complying with the Manager’s Health and Safety and other policies using appropriate safety equipment and clothing at all times; and any other duties as may be reasonably required or as instructed by the creative team, Company Manager and General Manager from time to time.
Person Specification
The post-holder must have the following:
• Basic sewing skills.
• The ability to wash and iron clothes and clean shoes.
• The ability to work under minimum supervision and adapt work in accordance with performance
requirements.
• The ability to work as part of a large team.
• The ability to build respectful rapport with actors and work with other theatre staff.
• Good communication skills.
• A high level of self-motivation.
Desirable
• Experience of dressing for live performance/ theatre production.
• Willingness to undertake weekly laundry calls in addition to the show schedule (paid in addition)
Outline of Terms and Conditions
TITLE OF POST: Dresser
START DATE: 24 March 2025 (TBC)
CONTRACT: Fixed term to 7 September 2025
KEY DATES: Rehearsals commence: w/c 3 March 2025
Load in commences: 17 March 2025
Technical Rehearsals commence: w/c 24 March 2025 First Performance: w/c 7 April 2025
Opening Night: 24 April 2025 (Subject to change)
SHOW SCHEDULE:8 performances Monday, Wednesday – Sunday
Ad hoc rehearsal and press/marketing calls
PAY: Competitive and in line with industry standard
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 2 months
The Dresser is expected to comply with the Manager’s policies as shared at contracting stage. Policies include: Social Media, Anti-Harassment & Bullying, Alcohol, Smoking & Other Substances, Health, Safety & Well-Being, Children and Young People Safeguarding and all other policies outlined in the accompanying Staff Handbook.
Application Procedure
To apply, please send a CV and a short covering letter (no more than one page) outlining your suitability for the role, together with a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to
[email protected] by 5pm on Tuesday 21 January 2025.
SUBJECT LINE: [Show Name], [Role], [Your Name] CV: [Your Name] – CV
Please note all applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
We are committed to embracing diversity and inclusion across all departments and recognise that relevant skills and experience may come from a non-theatre work setting or home context. Flexible working practices will be considered.
