Wardrobe 101 for BC Place, Arena shows, And Ice shows

1)Wardrobe 101 for BC Place/arena calls

The following information is for those who may be unfamiliar with working at large venues like BC Place.

BC Place is HUGE, and the Wardrobe work area is often a fair distance from IATSE Production/Head Carpenter(s) meal break areas.

PPE for Wardrobe: Always bring your PPE! Hard hat, safety vest, safety boots/shoes. We don’t usually wear it when working once in the costume area, but you may need a vest at the least when exiting the costume area. Rules around this change from show to show, so always bring your PPE. Sometimes security will not let you in the building without it.

You will be doing a lot of walking if you are called as a dresser, so make sure you have comfortable black shoes or runners. No open toes or heels, shoes must have closed toes. If the show call specifies long sleeves for show blacks, it’s fine to wear a regular short sleeve shirt for set up/prep and then don the long sleeves later, or bring a black hoodie.

Tool kit: should include the standard: non-strobing headlamp or necklight, apron/pouch/waist pack with hand sewing supplies (needles, black and white thread, or a multi strand), scissors, safety pins, pad of paper and pen or pencil. A water bottle holster and water bottle is highly recommended. If you have a lanyard with an ID sleeve you may wish to bring it, as you may have to wear a backstage access pass for security. You must have show blacks with long sleeves.

Procedures: On these large arena shows, the show/road wardrobe personnel are often the costume designers and/or stylists. They may not have the structures and procedures we are used to. A sense of perspective and understanding will help you greatly. When in doubt, ask your local HW or check with your shop steward. We are often required to show up well before our call time to make it through security and be at our work location on time. This is standard practice.

Safety first, second, and third! If something is unclear, seems risky or you don’t understand, please ask your direct supervisor/crew chief/HW, or your shop steward or Head Carpenter. You always have the right to refuse unsafe work. Please note that there is frequently the use of strobe lights and fog machines in these venues. You may be exposed to both. Loud volume is the norm. You may wish to carry your own ear protection or use the provided earplugs. Ask your Head Carpenter or immediate crew chief/HW. If you are painting or glueing shoes, masks must be made available. We usually set up a table outside for shoe painting. Always check with your HW.

Filming: In the past, when film crews would be backstage, they would first ask permission to film, and we would be asked to sign a release. We would get security briefings on expected behaviour such as never taking photos/videos. This no longer seems to be the case. BUT we should never be taking photos or videos backstage - this can get you removed from a call - and if a film crew is in your work area and you are not comfortable being filmed, please advise your supervisor/HW. You can, for example, take a coffee break or leave the room. But please discuss with your supervisor/HW before leaving.

Work breaks: will be announced by your supervisor/crew chief/Head Wardrobe. We usually get a coffee break halfway through a 4 to 5 hr shift, and a lunch break of at least 30 minutes after 4-5 hrs of work. If you aren’t sure, please ask your supervisor/HW. You may want to bring a lunch and snacks for BC Place, as in the past, the meal area for IATSE 118 members has been quite a distance from the wardrobe work area, and sometimes you either get a break when there’s no food ready yet, or get there and have to leave again to be on time returning. There are usually water coolers around for water bottle refills.

Sewing machines: if you are asked to bring your machine, the client (often Live Nation) will pay you a set rate per day. Talk to your Head Carpenter or Head Wardrobe to get the rates, or check the collective agreement, and bring an invoice on the first day. You will usually be paid within a week for the rental. We strongly advise you bring your machine on a dolly or in a wagon, as the distances are often great.

Parking: can be really problematic and expensive! Leave adequate time for travel to your work area. The Stadium/Chinatown station is a block away from BC Place.

Payment of wages: is usually through the IATSE trust fund and can take up to four weeks for the large concerts.

2) Ice Shows - Coliseum:

Most of the above info regarding BC Place is relevant, but here is specific info for the Coliseum Ice shows. *Please note this information is directed to those who may be new to Wardrobe. Whenever you are not clear on what to do, ask your local Head Wardrobe and/or local Head Carpenter.*

Always bring your PPE.

Temperature: It’s cold backstage! Bring layers. You may want a vest and jacket, gloves and a hat, and warm boots with grippy soles. You must wear blacks. Plan accordingly.

Safety: You may need or want ice spikes if you have to walk across the ice to the quick change booth - the road crew can provide them if necessary to your track, but if you own some, bring them. You can also ask your Head Wardrobe or Head Carpenter. The road supervisors are very good at asking if anyone has issues walking across ice, but speak up if it’s a problem. As long as you shuffle along, you should be fine for short distances (to get to your quick change booth, for example). Check with Dispatch and/or your supervisor if you require PPE (safety vest, hard hat, workboots) during the show call. We don’t usually, but this changes show to show, so again, always bring your PPE. You will need to wear sturdy shoes or boots (you can wear your steel toes), as performer’s skate blades are sharp - off ice they wear protectors, unless they’re dashing into Quick Change, and they can’t always see downwards, so your feet might get stepped on in close quarters. If you have to kneel for quick changes, be very aware of where your hands and feet are - again, the performers cannot always see very well once in costume, and might step on you. Use caution and foresight.

Valuables: as far as we know, at this time, there are no lockers for valuables. There is a crew room and usually at least one crew member stationed outside, but there’s no real lockup space. Carry your valuables with you if this is a concern.

Wardrobe skills: If you are working on a Disney show, you should know that we never repair costumes unless directed by the road Wardrobe supervisor. Disney performers are responsible for the maintenance of their costumes/characters, and can be fined if they fail to report a repair, and you report it. This is why you will see small repair kits in their dressing rooms and gondolas. Do not touch these kits. Sometimes on work calls, you will be asked to do repairs, but you will never do them during the show unless specifically instructed. Most of our duties are: zipping and snapping up and unzipping/unsnapping costumes, and hanging discards. They usually do their own presets, but will instruct you if you need to do it. You will usually be told if it is a quick change. (We usually assume they all are, unless told otherwise, and work accordingly). If you are working in the Character room, never leave that room with any costume piece. The Characters can never be seen incomplete.

Laundry: for Ice shows, it’s quite different from touring shows. You mostly sort and put away clean clothes; pick up dirty laundry at the end of the show, and deliver that as instructed to the washing machine area. Your local HW and the road HW will let you know. Sometimes only two people are needed post-show for this, and then we all take turns or all stay and help, as asked by our local HW or the road HW.

Wardrobe kit: you can check with your Head Wardrobe, but always bring a headlamp/necklamp, pen/pencil and pad of paper for notes. We don’t usually need to use our backstage kit on Ice Shows, but always ask your HW and bring it on the first day if you don’t know. Please ask your HW about the rules for cellphones backstage, as these can change show to show. Never, ever take photos of anything whatsoever backstage!! This can get you removed from the call.

Show procedure: After the first day, at the top of the call, you will meet your fellow dressers in front of the laundry boxes, to sort and put away clean laundry for the performers. Your local HW will tell you where this is. Once this is done, then you can go to your track duties. Never leave without checking in with your supervisor/HW. The shows are fairly straightforward, and you are mostly zipping up/unzipping, and hanging discards as required. The performers do their own presets unless you are told otherwise. If you have questions, please ask your HW on the call. Do not ask the performers.

Backstage decorum: Do not touch any costumes you have not been assigned to. Even some of the most seasoned dressers have fallen to the temptation of touching Character costumes/props. Don’t do it. Check with your supervisor if you can have your phone with you - some shows forbid it. Always bring a water bottle. Do not eat or drink anything other than water during your track, unless you are on an intermission break, and then do so in the crew area. Never near costumes! Do not chew gum. Never take photos. Let performers initiate conversation with you. They will often tell you precisely what they need, always heed them, especially if you have to dress several people in succession, they will tell you who must be dressed first - heed these instructions. Never offer up your opinion on the show.

Tracks: are assigned by the road supervisors. The local HW often has no input in track assignment. There are usually dressers for each chorus room, for quick changes, and for the mascot room. There’s often at least one “walking” track, where you accompany the performers to their FOH entrance, then wait to walk them back again. Once you are given your track, follow it and don’t deviate. If you do what is written down, you cannot be faulted if something goes wrong. If anything is unclear - ask.

Multi-show days and meal breaks: Ice shows often do “6 packs,” 6 shows in two days - Saturday and Sunday. There are often two shows on Friday. We are not usually provided food, so either bring lunch, or make plans to go for lunch/dinner as required. Your local HW will tell you when your break is. It’s always a good idea to bring your own snacks and water bottle. There are usually coolers for water bottle refills. There is a microwave in the crew room.

Packout/tear down: The HW will be told how many stay to assist in packing up, and will ask by seniority who wants to stay, if crew is being cut back. Wardrobe has to be packed up ASAP to be out of the way of the rest of the departments. Your supervisor will assign packup duties to you. It doesn’t usually take more than 30 to 45 minutes, but this will vary. You will be directed by a road person. Don’t leave until you are released by your road HW, then check in with your local HW.

Payment: is usually through the IATSE trust fund and can take up to three weeks.