The Creative Employment Programme

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 on- site 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

 Build a reputation for the quality and innovation of our programme  Exploit the touring and commercial potential of the work we produce Reach a bigger and more diverse audience  Grow and diversify the audience for our programme Transform the way we work  Develop a flexible, talented staff team, responsive to changing business needs  Diversify income streams and build financial resilience  Ensure that the Mercury infrastructure is fit for purpose  Develop a robust approach to self-evaluation and risk-management Purpose of the Post As Wardrobe Assistant Intern you will be responsible for:

 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:

 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

 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

 Self-disciplined, organised and self-motivating  Ability to work in a team, contributing ideas, supporting other team members and taking on a lead role on projects as required  Adaptable and receptive to new ideas and initiatives  Ability to work under pressure and manage competing deadlines  Creative flair  Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to listen, build rapport and communicate with people at all levels

Professional Competencies

Essential

 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

 Discount on drinks and meals in the Mercury’s bar and restaurant  The company encourages attendance at performances with an allocation of tickets to employees (subject to availability and the Mercury’s ticket policy)

July 2016