Hannah Varley | Costume Design and Making

ABOUT

I am a recent first class graduate of Costume Design and Making at Nottingham Trent University and since graduating in 2019 have worked as a Wardrobe Assistant, Dresser and Maintenance Assistant for companies such as Leeds Playhouse, Opera North and Northern Ballet. I am interested in becoming a Dresser or stepping up to more Wardrobe Assistant roles.

I am an incredibly organised and cool headed person, and feel that one of my major strengths is my ability to keep calm in all situations, even emergencies or last minute changes, which I believe suits me very well working within a wardrobe department. I have often been told that I am a safe pair of hands and that supervisors are always happy to leave me with cast who may be nervous since I always manage to calm people down and keep composure. I am prepared to make decisions and ready for anything during performances, as well as confident with maintenance and laundry calls on performances.

I enjoy working with people and not only dressing, but becoming part of a family that can work together while also having a good time. I am a very good listener and communicator, making sure to always take the time to listen to people, reassure them and work through situations in a calm and careful manner. I am comfortable managing situations and working through them for the best outcome, using my own knowledge and experience of working on large scale shows to utilise the facilities available to me.

Dressing

Oliver Twist, Leeds Playhouse and Ramps on the Moon, February-June 2020

Designer; Hayley Grindle. Supervisor: Kirsty Blades

Dresser and Touring Wardrobe Assistant. From the beginning of the rehearsal period of the piece helping to sew some of the costumes, create the dressing plot and setting up the show. Dressing during the run of the show at Leeds Playhouse, working with period costume, makeup and wigs.

The Wizard of Oz, Leeds Playhouse, November 2019– January 2020

Designer: Simon Higlett. Supervisor: Victoria Marzetti

Working as a Dresser as part of the core team throughout tech and rehearsals, setting up the show plot and dressing throughout the full run. Working with a large cast including children, puppeteers and animals, primary dresser for Ladies Ensemble.

Autumn Season 2019, Opera North, September- November 2019

Designers: Doey Lüthi, Anthony Ward. Supervisor: Jayne Matthews

Dresser for the principal ladies as part of Opera North’s 2019 Autumn Season shows Greek Passion and La Boheme while being performed at Leeds Grand Theatre. Duties included dressing, quick changes and laundry for the principal ladies.

Wardrobe Assistant

Rhythm of the Dance, National Dance Company of Ireland, June-August 2019

Wardrobe Manager: Maria Degrada

For the full run of the 2019 UK Tour, duties included laundry, ironing, alterations and mending as well as dressing during the performances. Working with a cast of 22 rotating dancers I had to change and alter costumes on a daily basis. Venues changed on a daily basis and would require daily get ins and outs and organising of dressing rooms and quick change areas at each theatre.

Maintenance and Laundry

Dracula, Northern Ballet, October 2019

Wardrobe Manager: Ellie Kemp

Ironing and Steaming costumes to assist the Wardrobe team during the October 2019 run of Dracula while at Leeds Playhouse. Working with technical fabrics and specialist costumes such as tutus, harnesses and stretch fabrics.

Work Experience

Scottish Opera, Running Wardrobe, April 2019

Head of Wardrobe: John Liddell

Two Week’s working within Scottish Opera’s Costume Workroom and with Running Wardrobe during Tech Week of their 2019 production of The Magic Flute.

Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Nutcracker, November 2018

Designer: John McFarlane. Supervisor: Lorna Burke

A week’s work experience at Birmingham Royal Ballet, assisting on the making of new costumes and updating old costumes for The Nutcracker.

National Youth Ballet, Bright Young Things, August 2018

Wardrobe Manager: Tessa Balls

Helping to create, alter, fit and maintain costumes throughout the summer intensive and 2018 season performances. I worked with specialist fabrics and costumes such as Tutu’s, Stretch and also dying and painting shoes to match costumes. Dressing during the final performances.

Fat Friends: The Musical, Nottingham Theatre Royal, March 2018

Wardrobe Manager: Laura Guthrie

Shadowing the Wardrobe Assistant and Dressers during the shows, working with principles and ladies ensemble. This was my first experience of dressing in a theatre and taught me a lot about the role of a dresser and what is required of the wardrobe team on a touring production.

Endellion Theatre Company, Evita, February-April 2018

Wardrobe Manager: Allana Marsh

Wardrobe Assistant working throughout rehearsals and tech to fit and alter costumes for the cast. Dressing and maintenance throughout the performance period. The show was performed in a church converted to a theatre space and the costumes for the ensemble were organised and kept in a marquee outside, where they would also complete their changes.

Royal Opera House, Thurrock Costume Centre, September 2017

Workroom Supervisor: Amanda Hall

Two week placement at the Costume Centre in Thurrock helping to organise and maintain the costume collection of both live and retired shows housed there. I also worked on some new costumes to go into the store and was able to see rehearsals for the new production of La Boheme.

Skills

Proficient Hand, Domestic and Industrial Machine Sewing
Quick Changes for Musical Theatre, Opera and Plays
Costume Maintenance
Working with Large Ensembles and Children
Laundry Calls and Washing of Specialist Garments
Organisation and Planning
Building of Dressing Plots
Basic Wig Changes and Dressing
Dressing Period Costumes
Period Costume Construction, with an emphasis on Ladies wear.
Garment Alterations for both Men’s and Women’s costumes.
Keeping a Cool Head in Stressful situations.

Education

BA (hons) Costume Design and Making, Nottingham Trent University, 2016-2019

Graduated First Class Honours July 2019. Additional Level 6 Certificate in Spanish.