Phoenix Lead Dresser
Full-time* Seasonal (non-exempt, hourly); Reports To: Costume Shop Manager; Location: Tucson, AZ; Salary: $13.50/hour
Arizona’s first professional theatre company, Arizona Theatre Company is the state’s only member of the respected League of Resident Theatres (LORT) – as well as the only LORT theatre nationally that produces shows in two cities, Tucson (at the historic Temple of Music and Art) and Phoenix, (at the elegant Herberger Theater Center). ATC maintains offices in both Tucson and Phoenix.
Arizona Theatre Company strongly encourages candidates from underrepresented communities within the industry to apply.
Overview
The Phoenix Lead Dresser is responsible for the supervision of all aspects of the wardrobe department of ATC productions in Phoenix including costume maintenance, supervision/coordination of dressers, and running a dressing track on each production. Travel to Tucson to learn the dressing tracks to assure the successful transition of each production is required.
Essential Functions:
- Coordinates the care, management, and organization of finished costumes and wigs from first tech/dress rehearsal through closing/strike—including daily laundry, weekly dry cleaning, emergency repairs and wash/reset/touch up of wigs.
- Updates & maintains all wardrobe paperwork for Phoenix including dressing sheets, run sheets, checklists, and laundry/maintenance schedules.
- Communicates to the Costume Shop Manager in a timely manner for coordinating major repairs and/or replacement costume items during the Phoenix run.
- Ensures proper maintenance of wigs/hair pieces throughout the run, in coordination with the Wig and Makeup Supervisor and Costume Shop Manager.
- Supervise and train over-hire dressers.
- Coordinate all quick-change and dressing needs during the Phoenix run of each production including maintenance of backstage quick change areas, dressing rooms, and wardrobe room.
- Run a dressing track on each production, which could include some prop tracking or scenic changes as needed between quick changes.
- Attend performances in Tucson to learn all dressing tracks to ensure the successful transition of the production to Phoenix
- Attend Phoenix rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and note sessions as required.
- Manage and maintain stock wardrobe supplies, tools, equipment, wardrobe/wig rooms, road boxes, and dressing rooms.
- Follow ATC accounting procedures for any purchases and reconcile receipts in a timely manner.
- Coordinate maintenance haircuts for actors as needed in conjunction with the Wig and Makeup Supervisor and Stage Manager.
- Coordinate with Assistant Production Manager for load-in and strike needs.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Qualifications
- Dressing/Wardrobe crew experience, including quick changes coordination.
- Demonstrated experience in costume construction & maintenance including alterations and repairs
- Knowledge of and experience in basic laundry and fabric cleaning techniques & supplies
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to safely operate domestic sewing machines and other costume maintenance equipment
- Base knowledge of wig construction and maintenance
- Knowledge and experience with MS Office applications (or equivalent) and cloud sharing
- Basic math and accounting skills
Preferred Skills
- Effective communicator and collaborator with costume shop staff including overhire, designers, directors, performers and other production staff.
- Able to promote and cultivate a safe and organized work environment.
- Attentive to detail, accountable, and skilled in time management.
- Demonstrated problem solving skills
- Ability to obtain a valid driver’s license
Physical & Scheduling Requirements
- Must be able to lift and move items weighing 30 pounds.
- Must be able to perform physical activities such as, but not limited to lifting, bending, crawling, kneeling, and climbing ladders.
- Available to work nights and weekends. Work days could be long and could include long periods of time either sitting or standing.
- Short Tucson residencies required based on production schedules.
*This position works an average of 30 hours per week over the course of the seasonal contract. However, there will usually be three to five weeks unpaid time off between productions.
Please send a resume and a cover letter with references to Becky Merold at productionjobs@arizonatheatre.org. Please put “Phoenix Lead Dresser” in the subject line.