How to Work as a Local Dresser on a Broadway National Tour or Stage Production

Participants will learn how to work as a local theatrical dresser in their city. They will learn everything from load in through load out. They will learn about doing daywork and running a dressing track including reading and learning show notes, doing presets, executing quick changes, restoring and/or re-using discards, and cleaning up and collecting laundry and repairs at the end of the night. They will also learn about theatre terminology, etiquette, and working as a team with the cast and other crew members.

  • First day on the job

  • The theatre schedule

  • Backstage etiquette

  • Physical requirements

  • Stage directions and abbreviations

  • Types of dressing tracks

  • Laundry and daywork responsibilities

  • Learning a track

  • Reading show notes

  • Reading labels

  • How to do quick changes

  • Dealing with emergencies

  • Tools of the trade

  • Swap outs and swing outs


Details

Language: English

Format: In-person

Length: 4 hours

Trainer

Lolly Totero, IATSE Locals 764 and 665

Location: New York, NY and Honolulu, HI

Lolly Totero has been a member of IATSE Local 764 since 1994. She has worked on Broadway as a Star Dresser, Principal Dresser, Ensemble Dresser, Swing Dresser, Dayworker, Assistant Supervisor, and Swing Supervisor. She has also traveled the country on a national tour and worked as a local dresser.

Lolly has taught a variety of classes for Local 764 including: “How to Set Up a Broadway Dressing Track,” “Star Dressing,” “Swing Dressing,” and “How to Bead Levels 1 and 2.”

Lolly has a wealth of experience working in the theatre and loves sharing her knowledge with others eager to learn. Lolly works on theatre, film, and television productions.