Wardrobe Manager

Q&A with Hannah Sotiri

What was your job title?

Wardrobe Manager

What did your job involve?

I was in charge of the wardrobe department on various West End musicals in London. I made sure all of the costumes were clean and fixed each day and continued to accurately resemble the original costume design set out by the designer. I would make sure the department had the correct sewing supplies to repair costumes that got damaged in the show, take shoes to the cobblers for repairing and organise costumes to be specially dry cleaned.

I also had a team of costume assistants and dressers that I was in charge of, so had their schedules for both helping to run the show and their time off to organise. I would have to make sure that I knew all of the dressing plots in case one of the dressers needed covering, so that the there was no delay in getting the actors on stage in the correct costume.

I was the link between the show and the costume designer on a day-to-day basis.

What did it look like on an average day?

On an average one-show day, I would arrive at the theatre at around midday. I would make sure my assistants were starting on the sewing repairs and the laundry person was doing ok with getting all the costumes clean and dry for the show. I would do admin bits like emails, petty cash receipts, attend meetings etc. I would also make sure that any shoes that needed to be repaired would get to the cobblers on time to be back for the show. I then pick up any of the remaining sewing repairs that need to be done. I would then have a dinner break before making sure that all the dressers have arrived in time and set all their costumes correctly for the show. At 6:55pm, we the half-hour call for the show. At this point we have to make sure that everything is in place and the actors are starting to get into their first costume. At 7:10pm we get the quarter-hour call, then at 7:25pm beginners is called. Everyone heads to the stage ready to start the show. I would go too to make sure everyone is dressed correctly and there are no problems. During the show, I would carry on with anything bits that need attending to in the department and be on call in case there is an emergency during the show. At the end of the show, I make sure that all the costumes are back in the correct place, laundry is sorted and repairs are hanging for the next day. The department can then be locked up for the night.

What qualifications and experiences enabled you to achieve your position?

I gained a BA with distinction in Costume Design and Construction at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, where I gained a vast amount of knowledge about costumes, through constructing and designing them and learning about the history of clothing and costume throughout the ages.

When I graduated, I started out in fringe theatre as a costume assistant to get experience of the industry. I made contacts and made me way up to costume supervisor and then designer. I then got my first West End job as a Wardrobe Assistant two years later. I worked my way up to Wardrobe Deputy and then Manager on various West End shows and musicals.

What were your career highlights?

I would say my biggest highlight was my first Wardrobe Manager job on ‘Gypsy’, which starred Imelda Staunton. It was a very big show to have my big break on, which was scary, but incredibly rewarding.

I got to attend the Olivier Awards when I worked on ‘Ghost, The Musical’, getting to work on one of the numbers during the ceremony and enjoying the after show party.

Every show I worked on had it’s own highlights, but the adrenaline of each show was probably an overall highlight in my career.

Any advice for aspiring creative students?

The theatre industry is a tough business, but if you want it enough, you will get there! Expect long hours during the pre-production period, but the reward of working on a live show with an audience right there is thrilling. Sewing skills is a huge benefit for you as a dresser and essential for a Wardrobe Assistant, Deputy or Manager. Practice as much as you can. Network as much as you can also. Your reputation is key to making contacts; they are your lifelines to getting your future jobs.

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