costume & wardrobe assisting
Take a look through my past costume & wardrobe assisting projects for stage
Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage
Based on the book by Philip Pulman, the play was a steampunk-inspired parallel universe with the soul manifesting as an animal called a demon.
With a large cast, multi-roling, and almost one puppet per character, this was my exciting but challenging first step into costume assisting. I was tasked with creating an Alexander McQueen-inspired dress for the witch Tilda Vassara among other responsibilities.
Designer (Set & Costume)
Amy Lewis
Director
Zoë Templeman Young
Puppet Designers & Makers
Alexandra Kay
Jodie Yates
Lighting Designer
Ren Liberta
Costume Assistants/Dressers
Amy Adair, Rosie Berry, Rose Thomas
Photographer
Kirsten McTernan
Company
Richard Burton Theatre Company (RWCMD)
Theatre
Bute Theatre (end on proscenium)
Date
Winter 2022
Responsibilities Included
Costume sourcing
Costume construction (Witch’s dress)
Alterations
Hair styling
Costume Bible management
Show dressing
A reformation-era play written in 1993 by April De Angelis was centred around the famous actress and mistress to King Charles II of England, Nell Gwyn.
With both comedy and tragedy the play was my first experience of working strictly within a historical period whilst costume assisting. I worked heavily in styling wigs for both the male and female performers as well as appearing on stage for some choreographed costume changes.
Playhouse Creatures
Costume Designer
Emily Cantwell
Set Designer
Alberto Aquilina
Director
Patricia Lodge (with Jac Ifan Moore)
Lighting Designer
Yasmin Alayoubi
Costume Assistants/Dressers
Amy Adair, Ysabelle Clason Morgan
Photographer
Simon Gough
Company
Richard Burton Theatre
Company (RWCMD)
Theatre
Richard Burton Theatre
Date
Winter 2023
Responsibilities Included
Costume sourcing
Alterations
Wig styling
Hair styling
SFX makeup
Costume Bible management
Budget management
Show dressing (including on-stage costume changes)
A reimagining of the classic fairy tale with a sustainability narrative The Little Mermaid was a vibrant contemporary musical, including dancing, puppets and aerial acrobatics.
I was tasked with creating the costumes for Coral and Serina, who needed high-stretch costumes that didn’t look like sportswear, as well as some wacky alterations.
The Little Mermaid
Designer (Set & Costume)
Ruby Pugh
Director
Miranda Cromwell
Composer
Femi Temowo
Lighting Designer
Zeynep Kepekli
Costume Assistant
Amy Adair
Photographer
Johan Persson
Company
Bristol Old Vic
Theatre
Bristol Old Vic
Date
Winter 2024/25
Responsibilities Included
Costume making (Coral & Sereia)
Alterations
Sourcing
Costume maintenance
A musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragic love story. The traditional text was combined with rap and R&B inspired new writing to create a rugged modern world of political divide.
As wardrobe assistant and dresser for the show, I was in charge of ensuring the actors had everything they needed for each show, were supported during quick changes, and laundry was completed each day. There were also instances of quick alterations when understudies were used, and on-the-night maintenance. Additionally, I created the detailed lists of costumes per performer for the costume bible, as well as a comprehensive dresser plot, ready for the show’s move to Hackney Empire in London.
Romeo + Juliet
Designer (Set & Costume)
Simon Kenny
Director
Corey Campbell
Lyrics
That’s A Rap (Keiren Hamilton-Amos and Corey Weekes)
Music
A Class
Lighting Designer
Chris Swain
Wardrobe Assistant
Amy Adair
Photographer
Nicola Young & Ciara Hillyer
Company
Bristol Old Vic & Belgrade Theatre
Theatre
Bristol Old Vic
Date
March/April 2025
Responsibilities Included
Dressing & quick changes
Paperwork
Costume alterations & maintenance
Laundry
The Beautiful Future is Coming
New writing set across three periods - Past, Present and Future - sharing the stories of three women intertwined with the climate crisis.
I was able to work closely with the Designer, Aldo, and Costume Supervisor, Sophia, to assist them in sourcing costumes. As well as dressing the show, I ensured a smooth handover (with costume bible and dressing track) to the wardrobe assistant traveling with the show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Designer (Set & Costume)
Aldo Vázquez
Director
Nancy Medina
Writer
Flora Wilson Brown
Sound Designer
Elena Peña
Lighting Designer
Ryan Day
Costume Supervisor
Sophia Khan
Set Design Assistant
Holly Coulson
Wardrobe Assistant
Amy Adair
Photographer
Ellie Kurttz
Company
Bristol Old Vic
Theatre
Bristol Old Vic
Date
May/June 2025
Responsibilities Included
Fitting Notes
Sourcing
Dressing & quick changes
Paperwork
Costume alterations & maintenance
The 80s musical based on the novel (David Nicholls) and film (HBO/Playtone) of the same name. It was a vibrant, fast-paced show with plenty of colourful costumes and challenging quick-changes.
The show spent six weeks in BOV and two weeks at the Birmingham Rep. I was able to work closely with the Designer, Lee, and Costume Supervisor, Carole, to do alterations and last-minute fittings. Susie and I worked as Co-Head of Wardrobe to take the show to Birmingham.
Starter For Ten
Designer (Set & Costume)
Lee Newby
Director
Charlie Parham
Book & Lyrics
Emma Hall & Charlie Parham
Music & Lyrics
Hatty Carman & Tom Rasmussen
Sound Designer
Rob Bettle & Sam Clarkson
Lighting Designer
Zoe Spurr
WHAM Design
Campbell Young Associates
Associate Designer
Tallulah Caskey
Musical Director
Honor Halford-MacLeod
Choreographer
Alexzandra Sarmieto
Costume Supervisor
Carol Lingwood
WHAM Manager
Jobina Hardy
Wardrobe Assistant/Co-Head of Wardrobe
Amy Adair & Susie Pearce
Photographer
Pamela Raith & Ciara Hillyer
Company
Antic Productions, Bristol Old Vic, Longshot Films & Playtone
Theatre
Bristol Old Vic & Birmingham Rep
Date
September-November 2025
Responsibilities Included
Dressing & quick changes
Paperwork
Costume alterations & maintenance
Track handover
Packing for travel & storage