Backstage Backstage Crew Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Child Dresser

Posting Date: August 31, 2026 

Department: Costumes 

Reports To: Wardrobe Supervisor and Co-Interim Costume Directors 

FLSA Status: Temporary, 35-40 hours per week, hourly, non-exempt, benefits ineligible 

Pay Tier: 2 

Compensation: $17.50-$18.50/hour based on experience 

Logistics:Local candidates/those within reasonable commuting distance are strongly preferred. Must be able to work in-person/on-site in Providence, RI without relocation assistance. Travel and lodging assistance are not provided. 

Desired Start Date: During the week of October 26, 2026 

About the Hiring Process: Application will be open until position is filled. Applications will be screened starting September 14, 2026.

Other Important Production Dates: 

First Rehearsal – September 29, 2026 

Designer Run Through – October 27, 2026 

Onstage Rehearsals – October 29 & 30, 2026 

Tech Rehearsals Begin – October 31, 2026 

First Preview – November 5, 2026 

Press Opening – November 11, 2026 

Closing – December 31, 2026 

Possible Extension Through – January 2, 2027 

Summary:

Trinity Repertory Company seeks a Child Dresser to join our team of Wardrobe staff for the 2026 production of A Christmas Carol, presented in our Dowling Theater. The Child Dresser will work closely with 2 alternating Child Coordinators managing 2 casts of 4 child actors each (ages 8-12) during technical rehearsals and performances of the production. During technical rehearsals, the Child Dresser will work with the Wardrobe Supervisor and Costume Shop staff to develop the child costume change tracks. During the run of the show, the Child Dresser will be responsible for all child costume needs, including quick changes, pre-sets, tracking, and minor repairs. The Child Dresser will also assist the Child Coordinator with monitoring child actor activity backstage. The Child Dresser should have excellent communication skills, patience, experience with children, and enjoy working as part of a team. 

Note: For all 10-show weeks, starting November 24th, 2026, the Child Dresser will work no more than 8 shows, with additional shows being covered by a Swing Dresser. These show dates will be agreed upon in advance. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Develop and record child costume change tracks during technical rehearsals. 

Prepare child costumes and accessories before performances, ensuring all garments are properly organized and performance ready. 

Maintain child costumes throughout performances, including repairs, adjustments, steaming, and resetting costumes between acts/scenes. 

Monitor child costume condition and communicate any issues to the Wardrobe Supervisor. 

Organize and execute child costume changes during performances with the assistance of Child Coordinator. 

Coordinate child laundry with Wardrobe Supervisor in a timely manner. 

Assist with Child Fittings, as available, in mid-October. 

Maintain a calm, solutions-oriented approach in the fast-paced environment of live performances. 

Develop and maintain a friendly, supportive, and professional relationship with the child actors. 

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Education and/or Experience:

Experience working with elementary to middle school-age children.  

Enjoy working with children.  

Previous experience in wardrobe or backstage crew, preferably with children.  

Knowledge of theatrical production practices and procedures. 

Technical Skills:

Hand sewing and basic repairs, such as replacing closures, mending tears and seams, and securing embellishments. 

Attention to detail to maintain pre-sets for alternating casts of children with both individual and shared items. 

Previous experience developing quick changes and managing alternating tracks preferred. 

Language Skills:

Must be an excellent communicator with the ability to communicate transparently and effectively across mediums. The ability and passion to work inclusively with all ages and diverse populations.  

Certifications:

Must pass a background check.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Must be able to sit and/or stand in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time. 

Must be able to regularly ascend and descend stairs. 

Must be able to carry items while climbing and descending stairs. 

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The noise level in the work environment ranges from low to high. 

The light level in the work environment ranges from light to dark. 

Employee must be able to regularly work nights and weekends. 

Trinity Rep is a collaborative work environment, and employees are expected to be open and willing to collaborate across departments and teams.  

Trinity Rep is on an active and ongoing journey to be an anti-racist organization, advancing anti-racist policies and practices, and fostering and sustaining a culture that values community, social justice, and equity. 

Trinity Repertory Company is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse, equitable, and anti-racist environment. For information about Trinity Rep’s commitment to antiracism, please visit trinityrep.com/antiracism. 

ABOUT TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY

Rhode Island’s Tony Award-winning theater company, Trinity Rep has created unparalleled professional theater for and with its community since its founding in 1963. Trinity Rep is committed to reinventing the public square and inspiring dialogue by creating emotionally stimulating productions and innovative education programs for all ages and abilities. Whether classical or contemporary, all of Trinity Rep’s productions connect audiences with the play and each other in meaningful and sometimes surprising ways. Its annual production of A Christmas Carol has brought families together for 40+ years and made memories for over a million audience members. 

Trinity Rep strives to facilitate human connection through its commitment to forming meaningful community partnerships, creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, delivering exceptional customer service, and connecting patrons with its resident company of artists. Trinity Rep has resolved to place antiracism at the center of its work and has embarked on a robust planning process to develop and implement a bold new vision for theater making, education, and community engagement, founded on the principles of genuine equity and antiracism. 

Located in downtown Providence, Trinity Rep has long been a driving force behind the creativity that fuels and defines the region. Typically employing over 250 artists, educators, and administrators, the organization generates nearly $21 million in direct and indirect economic activity annually. It is one of 76 theaters nationwide with membership in LORT (the League of Resident Theaters), the organization representing America’s leading professional theater companies. 

Learn more at www.trinityrep.com/about/