What is a dresser?- Page 4

[SMiller]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 2:42am

So does someone like Tom Hewitt have to tip his:
Dresser
Make-up person
person who puts on his mike
the people that fly him

Just wondering.

SM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 9:33am

I may be wrong about this - but I don't believe tipping is done on Broadway. It's possible that locals are brought in to help dress actors on touring productions - but on Broadway, the way I understand it, Dressers are all part of a union. They make a good salary. Now, if the individual wants to tip them on holidays or special ocasions - sure...but I've never heard of anyone doing it on a daily basis.

Updated On: 9/15/04 at 09:33 AM

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:28am

Road companies (especially NON equity) frequently tip those who are hired locally to provide 'personal' services.

I know that some Broadway performers (especially those who always try to use the same dresser from show to show) will give gifts or tips at the holidays, but otherwise our Broadway dresser buddies are compensated by salaries.

[Ditin725]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 1:25pm

I was never tipped when I worked in a roadhouse. On Broadway we are tipped weekly by some cast members and monthly by others, other cast members don't tip their dressers at all. I think it depends on how much the dresser does for the cast member. It is a perk, not a requirement.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 3:09pm

Ditin: Did you work in a non-equity show? Frequently, the locals in non-equity shows get tipped in order to show appreciation for their extra attention in a strange town.

As for Broadway, you are right. It is a matter of the performer and what they prefer. I know some people who use the same dresser from show to show and they feel tipping is demeaning to their long term relationship with the person since they've become a friend in addition to a dresser. As you know dressers are exposed to some very personal moments and can see performers at their worst, best, when emotional, when tired, etc.

These people will sometimes take the dresser out to dinner or give them something more personal (something they know the person likes) or a gift certificate to a great restaurant.

As for the person on this thread who said he/she didn't see why actors can't pull up their own pants...only a dresser and a performer know just how important the dresser's role is and how much a good one can make a difference.

[buddha2]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 6:36pm

I thought a dresser was a piece of furniture in a bedroom ensemble.

[Ditin725]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 12:32pm

SamIam, thanks for your very intelligent post. I have worked both non-union and union shows. I didn't start getting tipped until I worked on Broadway. When I worked regional theatre sometimes I received gifts and other times nothing. I think if you talk to 10 different dressers you will get 10 different answers.

[dancinfan]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:02pm

When I was performing on Broadway and in national tours, I tipped my dressers in a pool format - all the people in our dressing room put money in an envelope and handed it to one of the two or three dressers who took care of us, then they would split it evenly amongst themselves. They handled our sweaty laundry, zipped us into clothes we couldn't zip ourselves, got us through numerous quick changes, and repaired clothes and shoes daily to make us look our best. It was a pleasure to tip them.

As for the rest of the stagehands and spot ops and doormen and sound guys, it was a great thing to give them gifts at the holidays or invite them out for drinks once in a while, but tipping all of them just isn't done, at least not by ensemble members making minimum!

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:12pm

Dressers truly have a tough job and on days with breakfast shows, they may even get a sip of that trusted cleaning fluid: vodka!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:38pm

SamIAm- Just kidding...

[HeartinNYC]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:49pm

Very interesting, SamIAm. I've always thought that dressers have extremely challenging jobs, in that you have to move very quickly, be consistent at all times, and deal with a variety of SNAFUS, all while keeping your cool.

And I echo your applause for Ken Brown, Nathan Lane's dresser!

[JLfrom NYC]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 6:26pm

The theatrical dressers are a part of the union but I forget which one... it's not Local One Stagehands, but there IS a Union. However, if the dresser begins to work exclusively for a particular actor (as often the case becomes) and we're talking concert work and 4-5 day engagements, short runs, etc, the dresser will then be paid by the actor's management. And usually, the actor will do nice things for the dresser. Like tips, as someone mentioned.

I think it's great when the actors tip the dressers because the dressers really do a lot of work. Generally (from what I've seen from friends who have them, and from friends who ARE dressers) it really does vary, and often the star dresser for a show does a LOT more than dress the actor. Often, they mail out the crap for all the autograph requests, help out at the stage door/act as an assistant, fetch dinner or what-not between shows... it depends on the actor. But from what I've seen, any dresser who goes out of his/her way for his/her particular actor generally gets nice tips and occasional gifts. Besides being nice, it's smart to tip the person who has access to your underwear and wires you up to an electrical system every night. Updated On: 9/16/04 at 06:26 PM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 6:38pm

BwayTheatre11 - Is this the IATSE union you were talking about?

[shermanslave]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 6:48pm

My boyfriend is a dresser on B'way and he gets tipped sometimes. It depends on the actors, really. And he does work very hard. His show is the one that all dressers on Brodway do NOT want to be a part of because it never stops being busy for the dresser.