PROFESSIONALISM: Dressing For The Part?

[cuelight]

Contrary to what most people have said I don't think twice about having to wear my jeans to an interview (if I've got nothing else that I can deem more suitable) but I will wear nice black boots and a nice top and coat. I've never had my dress sense in an interview questioned and I've certainly always been the one that was more formally dressed.

In rehearsals I'll alternate between my black trousers and my jeans. It depends on what kind of thing I'm doing in rehearsals that day/week. On more relaxed days I may or may not wear my aforementioned black boots. I'll usually team it with a nice (preferably non-printed) t-shirt or shirt - depending on the weather.

Whilst during a run I always change into my blacks at work (usually around 15 minutes after I've gotten in, which gives me a chance to check everything before the cast get there) but just to be cautious I'll generally dress a little nicer going into work. I've had a fair share of meeting important people last minute and it's nice to not be worrying if they're noticing the paint marks on my jeans or the fact that my top is dusty from crawling about backstage.

But I do feel that this is something that you feel comfortable with. If you're happiest wearing jeans then go on ahead. I can't imagine them having a massive effect on being hired later on.

[thehayworth]

I wear all black with a black cape so I can swoop around in grandiose fashion.

OK, not really.  I used to not worry about what I wore at all because I foolishly believed that it was what was inside that counted.

I wear black jeans (no holes!), black sneakers, and nice solid black dress shirt.  This way I can wear it to my day job which is dress-casual and go straight to rehearsal.  But I feel more professional in it.

[nmno]

I think that super casual clothing will probably date you as a recent college grad and it might be a smart move to dress a little "crisper" to help compensate - not talking suits as I'm sure you gather here...  But I think the advice to wear dark clean "nice" jeans, with a nice shirt is a good place to start... 
Here's the thing: You are management.   As much as folks will say "what you wear doesn't matter" if you look like a manager people will respond in kind.  Also, looking to see what others wear at a given work place is a good place to base your look.

What I wear: usually nice jeans or khakis, a button down top or a nice tshirt (nothing with graphics, stains, etc) or a sweater (twinsets are a staple), comfortable shoes that look nice like merrills, keens.  On the first day of rehearsal I will punch it up a bit with some nicer earrings and sensible heels.  In tech and pre-pro (anytime I may have to get on my hands&knees) I wear whatever.  When I'm calling a show I try to wear something that I'd feel comfortable in should I need to address a group (be it patrons in the lobby or maybe an improptu tour for the producers' family, etc)

[Scott]

I think that super casual clothing will probably date you as a recent college grad and it might be a smart move to dress a little "crisper" to help compensate - not talking suits as I'm sure you gather here... 

I beleive that the poster stated they she is in school -- not a recent graduate.

Past other practical concerns, I think Stage Managers should dress in such a way that they can become invisible when needed.  (Hope this doesn't need any clarification.)  So a student should dress like other students.

(Personally, if I'd wanted to dress crisply or nice, I would have stayed in the business world, where I could have made more money when I was 24 than I ever will make stage managing.  I think the amount you spend on clothing should reflect relative salary -- which puts most of us in rags    I do like to wear a sports jacket when calling opera, which generally pays a bit better than theatre.)

[BalletPSM]

I wear all black with a black cape so I can swoop around in grandiose fashion.

okay, this is the kind of statement I want to start my day with every day.  For some reason I laughed out loud and just about spit out my coffee when I read this.  thanks for  brightening up an otherwise dull, cold, morning! 

seriously though, I've always felt that there is some truth to the old adage "dress for success."  I'm kind of a clothes horse, but still wear jeans for the most part the majority of the week.  It's always the days when I decide to wear a skirt that I'll end up having to go to our warehouse to grab a prop we need for an evening rehearsal.  or the day I wear heels is the day that there's a leak in the studio I have to mop up.

Opening nights and actually the whole run are generally very dressy black and I DO wear heels -- hey, that's why I have stagehands!  (translation we're in a union house where I'm not allowed to do any physical labor).  Plus there's something about the clacking of heels on a stage deck that screams, "watch out, your stage manager is on her way."    Smaller shows at our studio or other venues I generally don't follow this because I usually have to do more physical work.

At shows I do out in the community I'm often asked by the director to lead warm ups, learn the dances along with the company if we're doing a musical, or other physical elements of the actual production -- in this case I'll wear what I call "rehearsal clothes," which are black dance pants or leggings of some sort and a black t shirt or long sleeve shirt. 

[centaura]

I'm going to hop on the jean wagon, and say that I wear jeans to work and they count in my dress code, but I am going to be anal about defining 'jeans'.  I mean good fitting, belts around the waist, straight leg, new-looking, no holes.  I do not want to be disrespectful, but the current trend in teen - early 20 jeans is not what I consider a professional looking or practical garment.  Anything that falls off the rear end, drags on the floor, or looks like its been through a shredder I do not believe make a professional statement.  When I was on tour, and had venues that had college kids for crew, I would find these types of clothing, and would actually have them interfere with the work that needed to get done.  If given a choice between catching falling set pieces or falling pants, the pants usually won to the detriment of the set.  Happened over and over again.  Or the dragging seams of bellbottoms drug in mud or snow from outside and made a mess inside, or were tripped on.

I would say that your comment about going with what others around you are wearing is a good idea, but I would also take into consideration the age of the folks who you're going to work with.  If the folks that you need to work with are near your own age, then wearing trendier clothing will work to your favor for getting respect.  If the folks you need to impress that you're in charge with are older than you, then you're going to have to dress more conservatively. 

-Centaura

[Canuck]

I'm with centaura on considering the age of the people you're working with.  I frequently do shows with teens, and I have found that they do respond to you more if you kinda look like they do.  However, I do keep it nice - I keep reminding myself and the whole SM team that these kids are the future of theatre and right now we have a chance to set great examples.  Often on these productions I merge my wardrobe - good jeans with a nice button down top, or sweater.  I always try to think, I'll be spending my day in rehearsal, but what if I get pulled into a meeting with a producer, etc?  This mindset has elevated my wardrobe from when I was in University.  Not to say that I dressed poorly then, but now I can afford slightly nicer alternatives to my favourite old jeans and t-shirt!  When I work with a more adult cast, it's still fairly similar, but I may opt for khakis more than the jeans.

Like most everyone else, interviews and other important dates in the process, it's suits, khakis, dress shirts, etc.  I hardly wear skirts or dresses, but I have busted them out on special opening or closing night occassions - but I don't wear them during the show.  Before joining the party, I'm usually doing my own quick change somewhere backstage or in the booth before heading out!  For setups and strikes, it's all the clothes I don't mind if they get destroyed.   

As for centaura's comment about some youngster's pants these days...I totally agree!  Yards of fabric at their feet and none where it should be    I actually put out a warning when I first start to work with these groups that "If your personal wardrobe causes any sort of safety hazard or distraction, it will be dealt with according to the director and stage management's discretion."  This usually involves me having a few extra belts in my kit and a whole bunch of safety pins!  I always take them aside to do this, never in an embarrasing manner, but if it's a problem then it has to be dealt with.  I have girl and guy belts, all fairly "cool" and gotten from either second hand stores or from wardrobe discard piles.  I found this has worked well and that they do try to make sure their wardrobe is appropriate for what we're doing after that.

[Jessie_K]

Dressing for the age of your co-workers. . .

I often work at a college (and a fairly free-spirited hippy one at that) and have taken a cue from the staff, faculty and students in my dress.  I often wear fun or interesting clothing.  Nothing that interferes with my work, but definitely bold statements.

I gained so much affection from the students that one young choreographer designed costumes for a piece based on me!  I was so flattered.

Now when I am working among more "adults" I do tend to calm the wardrobe down.  But I feel that having a splash of color or special piece of jewelry can help break the ice when dealing with a group of strangers.

[centaura]

I'm pretty much limited to polos with the theatre's logo on them, but I got to pick out the color(s).  I have two black ones, but every other one is some different color, and I have three different styles (of polo).  Its nice to have the variety, though I often show up in the same color as my boss, which gets a lot of jokes up front.

-Centaura

[shatbox]

I agree with Mac Calder. New looking black shirts and jeans works fine for me too. I make an effort to keep my clothes looking as new as possible. No faded tee shirts. A nice looking jacket will almost always pull it together. You car wear it for your entrance and take it off. It never bothered anyone to see that I was wearing just a tee underneath.
I never leave home without my leatherman. I'll often wear a hat or something that becomes my trademark item. To me, anyone who looks like they are ready to work gets a star. I don't know if anyone else will back me up on this.
disclosure: I went from a Lighting tech to a SM, so thats the way I was brought up. Also, I'm non-union because I still do lighting/sound/set construction on the side. There is a tiny difference in dress compared to union and non-union.

[KT.n.T.]

I've only ever worked in local/community/amateur theatre, so I haven't been on many "formal interviews".  It's more word-of-mouth for me - a "so & so knows someone who's putting together a fashion show/drag show/one-man play, etc. and needs a stage manager - would I be interested?" kinda thing.  But no matter how it happens, there's always the first meeting (and first impression) with the project's director.  But like I said, these meetings for me are in no way formal so I find that just looking clean, capable & low-key (clean, non-raggedy jeans, plain t-shirt or button down shirt, clean boots/sneaks, minimal jewelry, minimal baggage*) works well.  If I'm asked to stay on with the project, I always find out what my dress code is, so to speak. 

For most rehearsals/shows, it's always been dark & casual but well kept - black jeans that aren't faded or have holes, clean dark t-shirts without logos or holes, dark boots or sneaks that are comfortable, no flashy jewelry, long hair secured, etc. 

However, I now have the unique opportunity to play dress up.  At the venue where PBR performs, there is no curtain between the audience and stage.  Everytime I step out there to strike a set, lay out props, or pick up clothes, I'm in full view of the crowd (it's almost 3 years and I'm still not used to it!).  Therefore, I'm encouraged to get dolled up and have fun while I'm out there.  And believe me - if I could move 30 lb. go-go boxes and cafeteria-sized folding tables in a corset & heels, I would!  But they understand and respect my decision to go with boring old black jeans and black t-shirt. 

* I once went to a first meeting/interview with my industrial-sized uber SM's bag, complete with...everything.  I don't know why.  I didn't need 98% of that stuff at that time anyway.  As I rummaged thru the multiple pockets before the meeting, a voice behind me said "Oh great - someone else who lives outta their bag.  Please tell me you're not bringing that chaos in here?"  Ouch!  What SM wants to be mentioned in the same sentence as "chaos"?  It was the very tired, very stressed director.  After the intros and apologies (me for appearing to be disorganized, her for being stressed & bitchy), I made a mental note to only bring the bare necessities, or minimal baggage, to future first meetings/interviews.

[Mac Calder]

I learnt that lesson too - all I take now is a leather compendium containing my resume (four copies) + references, pad and pen, along with my business cards to interviews, however I tend to take a hell of a lot more to first meetings, especially if I received the script before hand.

[KT.n.T.]

Since that meeting, I put together a mini travel version of the Uber Bag - fresh notebook, writing utensils, business cards, date book & a copy or two of what loosely passes for my resume. 

Mmmmm...getting a script in advance.  I remember those days.     My gig for years before the burlesque show was with a haunted attraction (professional haunted house).  One thing I've learned is that burlesque troupes and fright meisters don't believe in advanced anything.  A friend of mine aptly calls it "guerrilla theatre".

[blaha_haha]

I'm a student SM- high school- so I have 6 hours of school before rehearsal. Should I still try and dress nicer during hte rehearsal period? Im planning on dress pants and dressier black tops for the actual performances- but what about eh rest of the time? Would black track pants be ok just for tech week when we're there till at least midnight adn Im just in the light box?

[nmno]

I'm a student SM- high school- so I have 6 hours of school before rehearsal. Should I still try and dress nicer during hte rehearsal period?

High school? I wouldn't worry about it.