Working in the Theatre: Odd Jobs

Working in the Theatre is featured in our new book, "American Theatre Wing, an oral history: 100 Years, 100 Voices, 100 Million Miracles." Learn more about the book at a.co/d/9A5qc9a.
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Welcome to the world of Odd Jobs, where any career is possible. Working in the Theatre sometimes means choosing a discipline that you never expected to choose. For Bessie Nelson (Beader), Tom Andrews (Flame Proofer), and Jon Coles (Feathers), this is the path they took. Hear their stories as they create beautiful costumes and props and help to make the theatre a safe place for all to work.
"The theatre, they love to see sparkle, you know, with the lighting and everything the sparkle comes out, they’re beautiful. But that’s part of creating theatre, I’m one little phase of it. I do the beading, but then there’s the lighting directors, there’s the scenery people. I mean there's much, and when you go to see a Broadway show you sit there and enjoy all of our work, hard work." - Bessie Nelson
American Theatre Wing’s Working in the Theatre documentary series features the most fascinating people on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. From Tony Awards® and Obie Awards® winning artists to the next generation of theatre makers, we capture theatre’s inner-workings, industry luminaries, and unique stories that surround important work.
American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards® and home of and the Obie Awards®: for more information visit americantheatrewing.org.
#WorkingInTheTheatre #Season40
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[@keelynoxleymitchell]

I can't stop watching all these videos. Should be a Netflix series.

[@marianabarbosa9157]

Keelyn Hermansdorfer-Mitchell BUMP! Netflix take note!

[@christmastree7394]

This is incredible, these people deserve so much more recognition.

[@noahradle7002]

I really appreciate how important all of these jobs are. Especially the girl who does beading.

[@godschildyes]

I love this so much! I'm a header and couture sewer too, so this is ultra inspiring to me! This woman is AMAZING and I am so grateful to her for sharing a little about her beading career! The feather guy is a joy too! I've really enjoyed this!

[@firewalk1293]

Its amazing how such small elements in theater are taken into huge consideration by specific specialists. I would have never known the processes behind the scenes.

[@doug18020]

The knowledge in these 'heads and hands' is absolutely amazing.

[@brendenedwards4720]

I really loved how this video gives an insight into the other and unnoticed jobs of theater productions, from the decorative to just simple maintenance code stuff.

[@mirrorballmusings]

This is a wonderful series! I'm glad I came across it because I'm learning so much and gaining a lot of appreciation for every person that makes Broadway the amazing thing it is.

[@ashleyflamm2458]

So much work goes I into the productions that we don't see or think about! These people deserve more regognition for all the hard work they put in!

[@11111111730]

More of these type viedos please, very interesting stuff.

[@rodriguezc6294]

I like how the video goes in depth in other jobs of theatre. The feather business amazed me the most since I never really thought of how or where stylist got there feathers and how many people they need to interact with to bing their vision to reality.

[@Chrystle823]

Unsung heros, truly

[@madisonwatts4316]

The woman who is a beader for costumes has a really cool trick of putting the spool of thread in a mason jar. That way, you don't have to worry about the spool rolling around or falling over. Also, I had never thought about a feather seller being a job. I always figured that maybe costume designers just bought packs off of Amazon or some other store, but this is honestly genius!

[@amyc5913]

Thanks for the beading. I don't know how much beading I could do but you're special.

[@staceyd8043]

All these people are so amazing.

[@bryanellertson8324]

this is so interesting, i like how with this they really go in depth on each job.

[@kylewit924]

Underrated channel

[@ymgzexal6198]

So many aspects for professional theatre work

[@lisamichelle3527]

3:03 I'm in love with the Rosalina and princess peach beads

[@goodmusic3576]

Such a beautiful art, she is an amazing talent, thank you

[@baileycampbell4069]

These are the backstage heros that go under-appreciated. The absolute knowledge and craftsmanship that lies within these individuals to do the "little" things involved in creating a Broadway show is mind-blowing. I appreciate these people, as should everyone.

[@ReganAtSea]

what an interesting & charming little doc

[@uniqueanartist6792]

This is really really cool. Thank you!!

[@tishsmiddy71]

Thank you 😊

[@hankmcaff9350]

more like this please

[@rykerreeves6167]

I am very surprised that almost everything is fire proof in a play and its sad that there aren't many feather makers anymore!

[@nalabees]

I can't help but wonder how all of these feathers are being sourced and now with the availability of so many different materials can't we make more faux feathers? A business like Coles doesn't have to close, just change. I know SOME are sourced when birds naturally shed but that's proven to be the lowest percentage of gathering feathers as it can not meet the demands, so corners are cut.. a lot. Buyers might not be "aware" but I'm sure they have an idea. Especially when prices are considered. And many aren't naturally lost and gathered, they are plucked. And maybe that can be called "sustainable" but certainly not ethical. I don't know.. it just seems like especially for stage these great creative minds could provide a different material that does the same job on stage. =/

[@aliciamack9323]

Uh i finally meet the designer who designed for the king of pop gloves and jackets and his socks

[@smog4267]

Gotta do this for drama class rn 😩😩

[@aliciamack9323]

Love feathers

[@michaelmiller8339]

1:45 pokemon sprites beaded on the wall lol :o 3:04 too!

[@pineapplelymarshmallows3067]

yeah this is cool

[@notyep888]

Anyone who has watched the whole thing - Is this video appropriate to show my 6th grade drama class??

[@chesebag]

Nah

[@lisbethbredgaard7835]

🐝❤️❤️❤️

[@atis9061]

It's like her destiny was to be a bead-er-very cool.

[@kiebronalazar1884]

My school made me watch this