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re: Tipping for dressers?

Posted by: MikeR 02:18 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: re: Tipping for dressers? - old_school 01:33 pm EDT 03/17/14

>That's worth it's weight in gold. As it is for all the other depts. who contribute. Stage managers, stagehands, prop masters, wardrobe, sound, follow spot operator, conductor, hair and makeup, stage doorman, front of house, etc.

So should the actors tip all of these people as well?


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re: Tipping for dressers?

Posted by: old_school 06:02 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: re: Tipping for dressers? - MikeR 02:18 pm EDT 03/17/14

No, Mike. Just making a point. Just showing respect for other professionals who are on the same team, making a show happen 8 shows a week. Is that so hard to understand? I thought it was clear as a bell and I think theater professionals understand the point. For an actor/actress to think they make their art happen all by themselves? Good luck. You don't have to do anything but pay taxes and die. Tipping your dresser is optional.


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re: Tipping for dressers?

Posted by: portenopete 11:52 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: re: Tipping for dressers? - old_school 06:02 pm EDT 03/17/14

The tone of your replies to a pretty innocent question seems really over-the-top. I'm a theatre professional who works with unionized dressers in a theatre community where tipping is NOT the norm. I think the "respect" we have for their work is shown in our behaviour and relationships with them, which are largely very positive.

On opening and closing I usually buy a gift and if it's a very intense show costume-wise, there are often boxes of candy or bottles of wine throughout the run.

The tipping tradition may be technically voluntary, but I think many actors feel tremendous pressure not to offend or alienate.


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re: Tipping for dressers?

Posted by: old_school 08:54 pm EDT 03/18/14
In reply to: re: Tipping for dressers? - portenopete 11:52 pm EDT 03/17/14

'Over the top?" Not really. This is what passion and experience look like. I've found that in life, just because I don't know about something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Same holds true for info such as the tipping issue. It exists. Instead of trying to shout it down into non existence, take the info and use it in whatever way you see fit.You don't need to be right about it. Why deny the tradition? It has it's good points. If it's candy and wine, ok, although it's usually more expensive and assumes the person can drink alcohol or eat sugar.Time levels the playing field and brings wisdom. Hopefully.


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re: Tipping for dressers?

Posted by: MikeR 11:04 am EDT 03/19/14
In reply to: re: Tipping for dressers? - old_school 08:54 pm EDT 03/18/14

Can you find an example of someone "shout[ing] it down into non existence?" The original poster simply asked if this was a common practice, and you basically told her to shut up and mind her own business.


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re: Tipping for dressers?

Posted by: MikeR 06:09 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: re: Tipping for dressers? - old_school 06:02 pm EDT 03/17/14

I have the greatest respect for all those people, and have had multiple shows where I wouldn't have survived without my dresser(s) (or at the very least wouldn't have been clothed on stage). I've said publicly on more than one occasion that wardrobe personnel are the unsung heroes of every play I've ever done. Nothing but love and respect for all of them.

And granted, I'm not working on Broadway (or anywhere in the vicinity), but until this thread I've never heard of actors tipping dressers or anyone else who works backstage.


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