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Tell us about your job, Emma.
"My job involves producing costumes from designs, which entails drafting patterns, cutting, fitting and making for various productions, such as My Fair Lady, A Streetcar named Desire, Tartuffe and Jerry Springer - The Opera. I'm currently working on Henry IV Parts I and II.
I work in the workshop along with seven others - two head cutters, two assistant cutters, two assistants, an alteration hand - and our manageress. We all do 40 hours a week. If we're busy, usually leading up to technical rehearsals where all costumes are first seen on stage, and this can also include working on Saturdays."
What does the costume department do?
"The costume department deals with all aspects of costume from buying, construction, wigs, dyeing and breaking down, dressing the actors, laundry, and eventually to the hire department."
Have you done any formal training related to your current job?
"I have a degree in 'Costume for the Performing Arts', which I studied at London College of Fashion for three years. The course was very intense covering a wide range of skills such as corsetry, millinery, mask making, pattern cutting, designing and construction in both men's and ladies' wear. There are very few colleges providing this sort of degree and I thought I was best placed in London where there are more work opportunities.Prior to this I obtained a City & Guilds qualification in Fashion Studies whilst working as an alteration hand at an exclusive ladies wear shop."
Do you think training is essential for what you do now?
"Yes, very much so, I believe you can never stop learning - you need the basic skills and these will then improve through experience."
What did you do after finishing your degree?
"On graduating I was employed as an alteration hand at The National (even though I had a degree, I felt the position would not have been offered if I had not had some experience). This position deals with altering costumes from the hire department or - in the case of a contemporary show - shop- bought items. After six months I progressed to tailoring assistant, which involves the construction of men's clothing, and then after a further two years became assistant cutter, which involves pattern cutting, fitting and construction."
What is the best thing about your work?
"Seeing your costume on stage and meeting the actors."
Any advice for someone wanting to make a career in a similar line of work?
"Learn as much as you can. You must enjoy your work and have lots of patience. Be able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team. Have good people skills, as you work with other colleagues, costume supervisors, designers and actors."
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