TINA – The Tina Turner Musical – UK & IRELAND TOUR
HEAD OF WIGS, HAIR and MAKE-UP – Job Description
Reports to Company Manager, Production Manager and General Manager
The Show Telling the story of her life and featuring her much loved songs, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is written by Olivier Award-winning playwright Katori Hall and directed by the internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd. Opened in 2018 the show plays at the Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End and is embarking on its first ever UK & Ireland tour.
Purpose of Job
Duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Being responsible for all aspects of the planning, supervision and maintenance of all wigs, hair & make-up in the show for performances, press/marketing photography and press/marketing performances, ensuring the Designer’s original specification and look of the production is maintained;
Managing, supervising and scheduling members of the department including the Deputy and Assistants. Setting and supervising the wig dressing plots undertaken by departmental staff;
Working collaboratively as a department with other technical departments, stage management, the acting company, resident creative team members and touring venue’s staff to ensure the efficient flow of information as necessary for the smooth running of the show;
Acquiring a familiarity with all plots/tracks within the department in order to provide absence cover for other members of the department as required, in addition to ensuring that the department is trained to cover other plots/tracks as required;
Ensuring all wigs are cleaned and dressed daily and in working order for each performance;
Performing the Head of Department plot for each performance;
Liaising with the Company Manager/creative team regarding daily cast changes and preparing the relevant departmental adjustments accordingly;
Coordinating the supply of all equipment and consumables required to run the show within budget as approved by the Company/General Manager. Keeping the petty cash documentation up to date;
Compiling and keeping updated department cue sheets and other relevant show paperwork including the department show running bible (including photo references);
Overseeing and advising on cast make-up as required;
Overseeing and advising on hair styling/cuts as required;
Cutting/styling hair as required;
Being present for all rehearsals, show calls, maintenance calls, get-ins, fit-ups and get-outs as required;
Dealing with emergency repairs to wigs;
Recognising where maintenance work needs to be carried out on wigs outside of the theatre and to bring this to the attention of the Production/General Manager so this may be scheduled to ensure no show delays;
Ensuring that work materials and all wigs are kept in a tidy and secured manner;
Ensuring that security, safety and good housekeeping procedures for the department are properly carried out;
Complying with the Manager’s Health and Safety and other policies and ensuring departmental staff do the same at all times; and
any other duties as may be reasonably required or as instructed by the creative team, Company Manager and General Manager from time to time.
Person Specification
Extensive experience with styling and dressing wigs and hair for live performance/theatre
Experience working with Afro and multi-textured hair
Experience of hair cutting
The ability to run a busy department
The ability to adapt work in accordance with performance requirements
The ability to work as part of a large team
Good communication skills
Desirable
Experience managing a team effectively
Outline of Terms and Conditions
TITLE OF POST:
Head of Wigs Hair and Make-Up
START DATE:
February 2025
CONTRACT:
Fixed term to April 2026
KEY DATES:
Rehearsals commence: w/c 27 January 2025 (London)
Load in/Technical Rehearsals commence: w/c 24 February 2025 (Leicester)
First Performance: w/c 3 March 2025 (Leicester)
Opening Night: TBC (w/c 10 March 2025)
The show is moving every two to three weeks, with a longer 6 week sit down in Manchester leading up to Christmas 2025, and will run through to the end of March/beginning of April 2026.
SHOW SCHEDULE:
8 performances Monday-Saturday
Ad hoc rehearsal and press/marketing calls
PAY:
Competitive and in line with industry standard
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
3 months
The Head of Wigs Hair and Make-Up is expected to comply with the Manager’s policies as shared at contracting stage. Policies include: Social Media, Anti-Harassment & Bullying, Alcohol, Smoking & Other Substances, Health, Safety & Well-Being, Children and Young People Safeguarding and all other policies outlined in the accompanying Staff Handbook.
Application Procedure Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to [email protected] .uk by 10am Wednesday 9th October 2024 .
SUBJECT LINE: [Show Name], [Role], [Your Name] CV: [Your Name] – CV
Please note all applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
We are committed to embracing diversity and inclusion across all departments and recognise that relevant skills and experience may come from a non-theatre work setting or home context. Flexible working practices will be considered.