Job Description

Opportunity information



Salary 28808 per year

Duration 18 months

Advert closing date 14/07/2025



Description



The Running Wardrobe is a department at the National Theatre that works across all three of the theatres on all the productions, they maintain all the costumes and are the running team on the shows who look after the actors. The apprenticeship is designed to produce practical skills to a high standard of expertise.



What is a Costume Technician- Running Wardrobe?



A Running Wardrobe member in the performing arts is responsible for maintaining all kinds of costume elements, including accessories and footwear, and will participate in the setting up of a show from a wardrobe point of view which necessitates excellent memory and organisational skills. They will be responsible for dressing several actors, ensuring that all elements of their costume are always in the right place at the right time. This role includes the carrying out of Quick Changes in a live environment. Interpersonal skills need to be excellent - observing diplomacy and discretion at all times.



Purpose of the role?



The Running Wardrobe is a department at the National Theatre that works across all three of the theatres on all the productions, they maintain all the costumes and are the running team on the shows who look after the actors. The apprenticeship is designed to produce practical skills to a high standard of expertise. The Apprentice Costume Technician - Running Wardrobe will contribute towards the maintenance and dressing of the productions for the National Theatre during the rehearsal period if required and for all technical periods and performances.

Basic Duties:

Under the direction of NT Staff, learn all disciplines related to Running Wardrobe - Costume Maintenance (High levels of ironing and steaming for example), Laundry skills, Repair, Alteration and Dressing (including pre-setting. Quick Changes and area maintenance) Attend dress rehearsals where possible of shows you are not taking an active role in. o Work to agreed deadlines, consulting always with the Wardrobe Supervisor or the Head of Running Wardrobe. Work in all locations related to the wardrobe running of the show - Wardrobe, Backstage Areas including Substage, Dressing Rooms, Laundry, other Costume areas and be prepared to have to travel outside the theatre for things such as going to the cobblers. Maintain exacting standards of operations and good housekeeping of all Wardrobe areas. Participate in the provision of a safe working environment, always acting within the company's Health & Safety policy. Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Wardrobe Manager. At the NT you will be supported by a dedicated Mentor

At all times you will be expected to:

Take responsibility for being on time and always working safely and considerately. Behave professionally, including keeping workspaces neat and tidy. To work at height and sometimes in small spaces, training will be given to you before you do this. You will need to be flexible towards working evenings and weekends as this is where working on the performances will occur.

By the end of the apprenticeship, you will have a working knowledge of:

Laundry skills - identifying items which need specialist care, detergents, washing and drying cycles - including correct stain removal processes. How to hang items correctly. How to iron and steam items to a professional standard - including the reasons why some items are good to steam and others good to iron. How to set and present a costume rail to the highest standard. How to set a dressing room or Quick-Change area to the best use of space and location. How to check items thoroughly for small repairs. How to carry out basic repairs - e.g. - re- sewing buttons, poppers etc.. How to carry out more advanced repairs - e.g. - fixing holes in items. How to label items correctly. How to read a costume chart and build a plot from the information. How to write dressing notes in a manner that another person could use them to run the plot. How to write a costume description list correctly. How to interpret Understudy information and how it might affect the dressing plot. How to check all costumes are in the correct place prior to a performance. How to work with other team members to establish all the elements required to run the show. How to work with the actors in a professional manner whilst also supporting their needs correctly. How to work with all departments to deliver the show smoothly - including Production Costume, Sound, WHAM and Stage Management. How to achieve a smooth Get-In and a time effective Get-Out

Entry requirements



Maths and English GCSE at C/4 is desired.



Training to be provided



This occupation can be found in production and technical departments of theatres, television, film, dance and fashion productions and cultural organisations. This occupation runs across a range of sectors, where a costume might be worn, such as music events, pop concerts, recitals, choirs, sports events, university events.



The duties of a costume technician can be varied due to the nature of the sector and technicians would need to be able to adapt to the requirements of the setting.



Knowledge



K1: Departmental structure, vision and purpose and how each department interacts with each other.



K2: The significance and importance of the role within the setting and the importance of working logically with other departments.



K3: Communication techniques: verbal, written, and digital. How to use industry specific terminology relevant to the role.



K4: Equality, diversity and inclusion principles and the relevance to the role.



K5: Data protection laws and confidentiality protocols for the setting and the impact on the role including social media policy.



K6: Current workplace rules and procedures regarding safeguarding and child protection and how they impact the role.



K7: Health and Safety legislation including Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HaSaWA), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), personal protective equipment (PPE). Manual handling techniques and company health, safety and security policies.



K8: The importance of environmental sustainability and departmental processes for working on a production. For example, 'Theatre Green Book' for theatre, Albert Carbon Calculator for screen or activities that contribute to the monitoring and reduction of the carbon footprint.



K9: The requirements and purpose of show or production documentation such as costume breakdown, running notes, running lists, dressing plots, costume description lists.

K10:

Dressing protocols pre, during and post production including the order of processes. For example, make-up, wigs, microphone. The importance of collaborative working processes and interdependency of departments in a performance or production.

K11:

How to identify clothing and other costume elements to meet period or genre requirements for a specific performance or production.

K12:

How to maintain the design of costumes taking into account the fit and the properties of fabrics and materials and how they are used in the context of the performance or production.

K13:

Machine and hand sewing techniques and the importance of this for the authenticity of the costume.

K14:

Laundry techniques and garment care and processes. For example, silk care versus woollen or cotton care. Costume finishing including ironing or steaming, as appropriate.

K15:

Costume packing techniques for storage while costumes are inactive to avoid damage such as moth and mould, adhering to health and safety considerations.

K16:

Workplace practices such as use of IT systems software or record keeping systems relating to costume.

K17:

How photographic records are used in productions and performances.

K18:

Costume or wardrobe departmental administrative requirements, such as alterations records, continuity notes, timesheets and work rotas.

K19:

Costume rigging requirements including the health and safety implications when using these such as specialist quick changes, harnesses or integrated props, appropriate to a specific performance or production.



Skills



S1: Work to the requirements of the organisation's or production's data protection policy specifically in respect of confidentiality in relation to artists and the projects such as NDAs (non-disclosure agreements).



S2: Comply with health, safety and security policies and procedures, including where appropriate selecting, using and wearing the required personal protective equipment.



S3: Plan for and safely relocate costumes as required ensuring costumes are protected from damage.



S4: Safely pack and unpack costumes and wardrobe equipment for storage and future use. For example, returning hires ensuring compliance with agreed terms and conditions.



S5: Organise the keeping of the costumes and equipment in a tidy and secure manner and contribute to good housekeeping.



S6: Safely operate equipment such as sewing machines, washing machines or steam irons.



S7: Create and maintain documentation relating to costumes for the purposes of a production. For example, dressing plots, costume descriptions and packing lists, using organisational recording systems, such as IT or paper-based records.



S8: Set costumes in dressing areas and check off costumes against the costume list.



S9: Prepare costume changes by pre-setting or laying out for performance.

S10:

Dress and undress performers before, during and after an event, production or scene adhering to health and safety requirements and professional etiquette.

S11:

Tactfully advise cast and performers on how to wear the costumes and when restrictions may need to be in place such as food and drink consumption, delicate fabrics.

S12:

Communicate verbally with colleagues for example actively participating in meetings or rehearsals that impact on costume.

S13:

Respond to short notice variations, such as cast or production staff cover. For example, costume fittings, alterations or covering a plot.

S14:

Ensure the correct and consistent appearance of costumes to meet production specifications including preparing, maintaining and working to dressing notes and original designs.

S15:

Undertake minor alterations and repairs to costumes, shoes and accessories. For example, hand or machine sewing, before, during or after performances.

S16:

Care for costumes and accessories according to the specific design and maintenance requirements of the item.

S17:

Assess and select the correct products, processes and techniques for cleaning and finishing a costume.

S18:

Follow sustainable practices in line with industry standard recommendations. For example, recycling, reusing and repurposing.

S19:

Follow reporting procedures for broken or missing items to allow for replacements or repair.

S20:

Prepare costumes for fittings, check the equipment needed is in the fitting rooms before you start: such as measurement sheet, alterations book, pins, tape measure, scissors, camera.

S21:

Assist with fittings in accordance with fitting room etiquette and procedures.

S22:

Take notes and record accurate measurements as required.

S23:

Assist with post-fitting labelling for remake workrooms or alterations.



Behaviours



B1: Commitment to maintaining high standards with attention to detail in all tasks.



B2: Displays respect, tolerance and dignity when working with colleagues and others in line with required equality, diversity and inclusion standards.



B3: Works calmly under pressure.



B4: Displays resilience and flexibility when facing challenges. Actively works to find solutions, accepts support and acts on feedback.



Things to consider



This is a Level 3 apprenticeship; therefore, applicants must be suitable for study at that level and NOT hold a theatre or costume degree, HND, or a post graduate qualification, or have extensive experience of working backstage in professional theatre, or in other areas of costume.



Skills required



Array



Future prospects



The Costume Technician - Running Wardrobe apprenticeship is designed to be the first step in working in theatre or going on to further study. Although we cannot guarantee that this apprenticeship will lead to a permanent post, this is an area of specialisation where the correct level of skill is often overlooked. Somebody trained to manage the Running Wardrobe elements of a production should be welcomed into any Wardrobe department across all kinds of disciplines, (Opera, Ballet, Plays, Musicals, Events



Hours per week 40

Working week Hour per week:

40 (including late evenings and weekends with some possible overtime required)

Apprenticeship standard Costume technician - stage and screen (Level 3)



London, London, England, SE1 9PX