Download Job Description - Mercury Theatre

Job Description
Job Title
Wardrobe Assistant Intern
Department
Production
Responsible to
Wardrobe Manager
Responsible for
none
Key working relationships
Head of Production Services
Head of Technical Services
Wardrobe Manager
Wardrobe Assistant
Freelance Wardrobe Assistants
Technical Manager
Company Stage Manager
Freelance creative staff
The Creative Employment Programme
This paid internship has been created as part of the Creative Employment Programme. The
Creative Employment Programme is an Arts Council England fund to support the creation of
traineeships, formal apprenticeship and paid internship opportunities in England for
unemployed young people wishing to pursue a career in the arts and cultural sector. You can
find out more at: http://creative-employment.co.uk/the-creative-employment-programme
There are certain criteria you must meet in order to be eligible to apply for a Creative
Employment Programme funded internship. At the time of applying you must be aged 18 to 24
years old and you must be registered as unemployed with Jobcentre Plus. These eligibility
criteria have been approved by the Department of Work and Pensions.
Mercury Theatre is an equal opportunities employer, who is actively seeking to employ people
currently under-represented in the creative and cultural sector. This includes young people,
ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.
The Mercury Theatre
The Mercury Theatre Colchester enjoys an excellent reputation for the quality of the work it
produces and presents in its two auditoria and through its many community and education
partnerships. We aim to cement the theatre's position as one of the main centres of artistic
excellence in the East of England by building an audience for a critically acclaimed programme
of drama, dance, music theatre and family theatre at the Mercury and on tour.
Born out of the Colchester Repertory Company in 1937, and relocating to its current home in
1972, the Mercury now boasts a Main Theatre (500 seats), a Studio Theatre (80 seats), full onsite workshop and wardrobe facilities, award-winning customer service, and a turnover in
excess of £3.5m annually, making it both a significant local employer and a major driver of
Colchester’s creative economy.
Vision
Our vision is of the Mercury as a theatre where all the people of Colchester and the
surrounding area can encounter new ideas and untold stories; can meet to experience top
class entertainment; and can unleash the extraordinary power of live theatre to make them
think, feel, express, share and be part of something.
Our vision is of the Mercury as a theatre that contributes regionally to the development of
new talent and new audiences, and carves out a truly national reputation for the quality of the
work that it makes and presents.
Strategic Aims
Create outstanding theatre
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Build a reputation for the quality and innovation of our programme
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Exploit the touring and commercial potential of the work we produce
Reach a bigger and more diverse audience
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Grow and diversify the audience for our programme
Transform the way we work
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Develop a flexible, talented staff team, responsive to changing business needs
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Diversify income streams and build financial resilience
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Ensure that the Mercury infrastructure is fit for purpose
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Develop a robust approach to self-evaluation and risk-management
Purpose of the Post
As Wardrobe Assistant Intern you will be responsible for:
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Assisting the Wardrobe Manager and freelance designers and makers in ensuring the
smooth running of the wardrobe department.
Main Duties
Working with the Wardrobe Manager & Assistant, and freelance creative staff (designers etc)
take responsibility for:
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Sourcing, making and altering costumes as required to be used in Made in Colchester &
Young Company productions.
Ensuring all stock is cleaned and stored.
Carrying out running maintenance and repairs to production costumes.
Carrying out research as required.
Managing hired costumes as required.
Responsibilities
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Assist the Wardrobe Department to make costumes as required by the designer.
Assist in sourcing costumes and accessories.
Ensure all garments are made and altered quickly and neatly as required.
Carry out background research into costume pieces required for productions (period
pieces etc.)
Carry out and supervise the cleaning, ironing and maintenance of all costumes for the
run of a show and for general storage.
Assist in the storing and organization of all costume items.
Assist in the record keeping of accessories and costumes used.
Ensuring the workroom is maintained to a high standard.
Supervise and move costumes and accessories to and from storage to the Workroom
in an efficient manner.
Take responsibility for the delivery and distribution of return items to suppliers and
fabric to freelance makers as required.
Work as a dresser on productions as required.
Comply with the Mercury’s health and safety policy.
General Duties
The Wardrobe Assistant Intern will also be required to:
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the Theatre’s wider artistic programme,
including its Learning and Participation, new work & new talent development activities.
• Attend and contribute to staff meetings and/or training sessions.
• Undertake any further duties as may be reasonably requested by the Wardrobe
Manager.
This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of this position. It is neither
wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and does not preclude change or development that might
be required in the future. It does not form part of the contract of employment.
Person Specification
Post: Wardrobe Assistant Intern
Personal Qualities
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Self-disciplined, organised and self-motivating
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Ability to work in a team, contributing ideas, supporting other team members and
taking on a lead role on projects as required
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Adaptable and receptive to new ideas and initiatives
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Ability to work under pressure and manage competing deadlines
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Creative flair
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Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to listen, build rapport and communicate
with people at all levels
Professional Competencies
Essential
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A strong interest or proven experience in the field of theatre wardrobe.
Strong alteration, repairing and costume making skills
Good working knowledge of period costume
Experience of successfully working within teams
Ability to interpret designs and research and source costumes, textiles and accessories
Awareness of Health and Safety
Ensures the efficient use of resources without compromising health and safety
regulations and always works within a value for money environment
Desirable
 Proven skills and experience of assisting in costuming a wide range of shows
 Ability to manage small teams of both permanent and freelance staff
 Ability to work within budgets
 Clean driving license
Outline of Terms and Conditions
Salary:
£6.70 per hour
Hours:
40 hours per week for 26 weeks (less ½ hour unpaid lunchbreak).
Additional hours may be necessary in order to fulfil the post’s
requirements for which Time Off in Lieu is available. This post
will require the successful candidate to work unsocial hours on
occasion.
Annual Leave:
Pro rata leave entitlement is 10 days plus statutory Bank
Holidays.
Probationary Period:
One month
Notice Period:
One month by either party in writing after an initial probationary
period during which time the notice period is one week by either
party
DBS Check:
Should your post have regular contact with children and/or
vulnerable adults a DBS check will be required
Pension:
The Theatre operates a pension scheme that meets the
government’s requirements under auto-enrolment.
Other Benefits
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Discount on drinks and meals in the Mercury’s bar and restaurant
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The company encourages attendance at performances with an allocation of tickets to
employees (subject to availability and the Mercury’s ticket policy)
July 2016