Broadway Dresser Defined
Full disclosure, until I became a theater major in college and was studying costume design, I didn’t know that the job of a Broadway dresser even existed. Most people are so wrapped up in enjoying the show, they don’t think about what is going on backstage. (Which is how it should be and means that every crew member is doing their job correctly!)
One of the questions I get asked most often is “what IS a dresser?” So this post is dedicated to explaining what exactly my job entails. (I promise the story of my journey to Broadway is coming at a later date!)
Let’s start with the official definition:
ˈdresər/
noun: dresser; plural noun: dressers
a person whose job is to look after theatrical costumes and help actors to dress
I have been working with costumes since my sophomore year of college in 2009. I started my professional wardrobe career in 2012 and became a Broadway dresser in 2015 after I moved to New York City and joined the local wardrobe union. Every theatrical experience I had up to that point had been preparing me for the big leagues. Even though I was ready to work, had the proper experience, and did extensive research, I had no idea how things actually operated behind the scenes on Broadway until I was a part of it. So I hope this post is informative and helpful to someone out there!
At Wicked, there are twelve dressers total and we each have our own individual tracks. We are kind of like a very eclectic football team. Everyone is doing different things, but we are all working toward the same goal: for the show to run efficiently and perfectly. During the show I keep my girls’ costumes organized, occasionally do repairs, set the costumes out, quick change the actresses and then put away the discarded costumes when everyone goes back on stage. I love the little moments I get with the actors backstage while I am changing them in between scenes. Someone always has a funny story about his or her day or a crazy moment that happened on stage.
I am there to help the actors do their jobs to the best of their abilities. Sometimes that means getting them water or making them laugh. The cool thing about the Wicked ladies is most of these girls were on the tour before they came to Broadway. So, pretty much everyone is super chill, self-sufficient, and very appreciative. I love being their biggest cheerleader when they come offstage!
Dressers have many responsibilities, but the main two are to keep the costumes organized and to properly and swiftly change the actors so they make their entrances on time. The fastest quick change at Wicked is with the two lead witches before the number “One Short Day” and happens in less than fifteen seconds. Dressers also have to be ready to make last minute repairs if a costume piece tear or breaks.
There are actually three different types of dressers including principal dressers, ensemble dressers, and swing dressers. My first year on Broadway I was a swing dresser, so I filled in whenever full-time dressers at Wicked and Aladdin took off of work. Between those two shows, I knew sixteen different dresser’s jobs (tracks.) Usually I would get booked to cover for someone ahead of time, but some days I would receive a call from the supervisor the morning of the show. I loved being a swing because every day was different and an exciting challenge.
Two fantastic leaders head up the Wicked wardrobe department. Alyce Gilbert is the Wardrobe Supervisor, and Kevin Hucke is the assistant wardrobe supervisor. Alyce has been with Wicked since the very beginning and is a legend in the industry. She is the only wardrobe supervisor in the history of Broadway to be given a Tony Award. (Her Tony lives in the wardrobe room on a table next to the Girl Scout Cookies. Sometimes I cradle it like a baby.)
My favorite part about being a dresser is the people I get to work with. I love meeting new people, building relationships, hearing interesting stories, and learning about everyone’s unique Broadway journey. It is an incredibly supportive community and I have made lifelong friends that then turned into family. I am so blessed not only to work at one of the biggest Broadway hits of all time, but also to be in the best union in the world and get to work with the absolute greatest professionals in the business.
All images by Laurel Creative
Cheering on my girl, Tia Altinay, as she goes on for Princess Jasmine. September 2016.
Backstage with my Wicked boys, Danny Quadrino and Raymond Matsamura. March 2017.
