Deputy Wardrobe Manager – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Deputy Wardrobe Manager will support the Wardrobe Manager to manage a first-class Wardrobe Department for the Bridge Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This role sits within the Costume team overseen by the Head of Costume. Dates: Monday 12 May – Saturday 6 September 2025.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• You will be required to familiarise yourself thoroughly with the technical & practical aspects of an incoming show, its design, and the working environment, including the health and safety aspects.
• You will aid the Wardrobe Manager in the daily line management of the Wardrobe team, with the support of the Costume HODs, and, on occasion, the CM/CSM. This will include helping to establish and monitor workloads, hours and rotas, and ensuring  that appropriate breaks are taken.
• You should expect to work on the day-to-day show running including undertaking presets and checks as needed before each performance. In the absence of the Wardrobe Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the appropriate costume articles being in the right place at the right time for each performance.
• In collaboration with the Wardrobe Manager, you will be responsible for costume care throughout the run, including the repair of any damage or wear & tear, as well as the daily laundry, cleaning, management and maintenance. This includes the management and maintenance of understudy costumes, but may additionally include Band, Front of House or Stage Management costumes.
• You are responsible for supporting the successful functioning of the Wardrobe Room, including maintaining laundry appliances, costume equipment and kits for the dressing rooms and backstage areas. Yourself and the Wardrobe Manager will be supported in this, as needed, by the Costume HODs.
• You will collaborate with the Wardrobe Manager in allocating, managing and purchasing day to day supplies and completing stock takes to ensure efficient show running is maintained. This includes haberdashery, notions, tools, scissors, hosiery and show underwear. On occasions where no Wigs, Hair and Makeup team is engaged for the production run, this may additionally include toiletries and other cosmetic supplies for the use of cast members.
• You will strive to maintain a good working atmosphere and encourage a positive professional attitude, setting a good example in your relationships and excellent communication with the wardrobe team, the cast, other company members and core building staff.
• You will help to manage the safe and appropriate use and storage of chemicals and hazardous products in line with COSHH regulations and the safety procedures of the company. You will support the wardrobe team in observing COSHH guidance, and other building safety protocols including building evacuations, invacuations and safe working procedures.
• In the absence of the Wardrobe Manager, you will deputise for them, and assume their duties in a respectful and diligent way. This may include attending meetings; supporting rehearsals; participating in fittings; as well as liaising with Costume HODs, cast, stage management, WHAM, Sound and other technical team colleagues. Upon their return, you will brief the Wardrobe Manager clearly on works undertaken during their absence.
• You may be expected to participate in occasional work at the offsite costume store including unpacking, rehanging, stock taking, collections and deliveries for the theatre/rehearsal spaces.
• You may be asked to participate in supporting the costuming of promotional events, photoshoots, and filmed appearances for current and future productions, as required by London Theatre Company.

Full list of duties available in Job Description

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience working in wardrobe management at a high-level of professional theatre (or opera/dance equivalent) either in building-based or freelance roles.
• Proven experience, and a broad knowledge of theatrical costume techniques relevant to the preparation, staging and maintenance of theatrical productions at the highest level.
• A strong understanding and enthusiasm for the production process.
• A flexible, problem-solving approach to changing schedules, priorities and show needs.
• Experience managing or supporting staffing requirements and workloads within a team.
• Ability to demonstrate and encourage a positive professional attitude amongst your own team, wider groups of colleagues, and visiting collaborators.
• The ability to work well under pressure in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Discretion and respect for confidentiality, in both professional and pastoral settings
• Strong time management and organisational skills.

 

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a Producing House theatre.
• Specialist practical skills: e.g. dyeing and breaking down; costume prop making, etc.
• Some familiarity with professional Wigs, Hair and Makeup processes.
• Experience of working on NT Live or similar recorded/live-streamed performances.
• Experience of working in immersive performance environments.

21/03/2025

Fixed Term, Full Time