An Introduction to Running Wardrobe in Theatre with Frances Williams
This workshop is available to people who identify as women, trans and non-binary.
A free online workshop introducing you to the workings of a theatrical wardrobe department.
This session will introduce you to the workings of a wardrobe department in a West End theatre. You will learn the steps to take if you want to pursue a career in costume design – among other things, we will discuss different roles and responsibilities within the department, working practices, good etiquette and explore the expectations of someone working in this role.
There will also be discussions of supplementary roles and how to run other creative endeavours alongside a career in theatre.
This event will take place online via Zoom. Participants will receive the link to the Zoom for the session once attendance is confirmed.
Frances Williams is a costumier, wardrobe professional and makeup artist based in London.
After attaining a B.A. in Costume Production from Rose Bruford College, Frances’ career in theatre began in 2017. Since then, she has amassed a number of West End and live production credits including work on Thriller Live, & Juliet, Magic Mike Live and the Spice Girls’ UK Tour.
As well as her work in theatre, Frances has also explored other creative endeavours in her professional life. Most prominent among these is her work as a makeup artist, a career she now maintains in parallel with her backstage work. Frances’ passion for makeup ignited after taking a module in hair and makeup for theatre during her Costume Production degree. In recent years, Frances has encouraged others in the industry to explore multi-dimensional careers in order to cultivate a more varied, flexible and fulfilled working life.
This event is part of Reboot: Behind the Scenes, Screen and Lens, a workshop season programmed by Clod Ensemble and Petok Productions in which leading figures from the backstage and production industries run sessions that provide participants with crucial insights, tips and wisdom.
Petok Productions is a company led by Clod Ensemble’s Production and Engagement Coordinator Pembe Tokluhan. Petok Productions aims to diversify the production industry and pave the way for under-represented communities to build careers in backstage roles. As such, this programme is offered exclusively to people who identify as women, trans and non-binary.
The season will run across February and March 2023, with the six workshops taking place over Zoom. Workshops are free to attend – if you are able to, we suggest a donation of £3-£5 per workshop, but you will still be able to attend the workshop without a donation.
Each of the six workshops will be led by an industry professional and focus on a different aspect of backstage/production work. Whether you are already considering going into one of these fields or are simply curious and would like to find out more, the Reboot workshops make for an ideal point of entry.
Image credit Rosemary Williams
