What's it like being a "dresser" on a theater/musical production?

Question

I am going to volunteer for this community theater musical, and was offered the position of "dresser" but I don't know if I should ask for something different. I know what a dresser does, I'm just asking if there would be a different position that would be more enjoyable

Answer 1

I do have to agree that it is not glamorous,but if you are a good dresser then the job it fun and rewarding. In musicals the changes are quick and usually a flurry of things happen in seconds; they change from one outfit to the next, a lot of Velcro, whopper poppers coming undone and then new garments "slapped on". Usually you have to pre-set the costumes and then hang them up in the dressing room. Theatre also has them, I work for a Shakespeare company where our interns play multiple characters and have what is called a zero line change; they walk off as one character and come back as another asap. From my own experience, it is great fun along with great responsibility, you and they actor need to act as one in a quick change, they are relying on you to help them out, and make sure they have everything, costume pieces, props etc and that all closures (ie zippers) are closed. You can make some really great friendships that last years being a dresser

Answer 2

Well, since you KNOW what a dresser does... it would be up to YOU to decide if there is a position that would be more enjoyable !!

I started as a stage-hand way back in 1978... moved into lighting and set design. Worked at Marriott's Great America as a stage-hand for 3 years (assisting dressers also), then moved to the sound-board for 3 years, and the last year as the "rover": covering ever position as others took their day off.

I still work various community and school theater productions... though now I'm almost always the Props Master.

Good luck and enjoy !! You can be dresser now, and try another position next show !

Answer 3

I'm answering this question just to disagree with Mech. The Chronic influenced a TON of producers. Think about his, there was the entire G-Funk era where hundreds of G-Funk songs were being produced. How many of those songs were produced by Dr. Dre? The Chronic, Doggystyle, Two songs on All Eyez on Me and that's it. That's practically nothing compared to the amount of songs that sounded like G-Funk. The only thing is that once the west coast era ended, everyone switched up their sound, including Dre himself. For the most part you won't find the G-Funk elements in today's production, but during the 90s practically everyone was ripping off The Chronic. edit: 1 region being California, which at the time was half of hip hop. And while the style of G-Funk may not have lasted, you can't deny it hasn't affected production to this day. IE live instrumentation and no sampling, heavy bass. Oh lets not forget the use of autotunes in hip hop (not saying thats a good thing).

Answer 4

Since you were offered the job of "dresser" maybe you have experience w/ costumes & can be the wardrobe supervisor. Or you could help with repairing any costumes that need it during the run of the show. If not, then being a dresser is better than laundry duty.

Answer 5

When I was a teenager, I was a volunteer at a community theatre. It was easy.

I had to give the star of the production, the right costume for each scene she was in. Help her get into the costume, make sure she was "zipped up" in the garment.

When she was on stage, I stayed in the dressing room, until her next scene change.

Answer 6

It's not a glamorous job. You help the actors with quick changes, have the proper costumes ready for when they come offstage. Then you hang the discarded item on hangers. It is definitely helpful for the actor though.

Answer 7

A dresser is a saint to any actor who has a quick change. Do it and have fun!