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 Local 764
Location: Honolulu, HI
Travel: International
Lolly Totero has been a member of IATSE Local 746 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 in Hawai’i.
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 lives in Hawai'i and works on theatre, film, and television productions on O’ahu.