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actor's assistant

actor's assistant

3.9
A person who helps an actor with costumes and personal needs during a show
  • noun
  • /ˈæktərz əˈsɪstənt/
translation icon : asistente de actores
  • The actor's assistant made sure every costume change went smoothly during rehearsals.

Examples

  • The lead performer trusted his actor's assistant to keep his wardrobe and props ready before each act.

  • After working as an actor's assistant for several years, she learned the behind-the-scenes workings of the theater.

  • The actor's assistant helped with the costume changes.

  • An actor's assistant is essential during live performances.

  • The actor's assistant helped set up the lighting and prepared the props for the opening scene.

  • During the production, the actor's assistant ensured that the lead actor had everything he needed, from scripts to snacks.

  • As an actor's assistant, she was responsible for managing costume fittings and scheduling rehearsals.

Synonyms

assistant
vsactor's assistant
833 1.0

A person who helps someone with their work or tasks

focuses specifically on supporting performers with costumes and personal care
aide
vsactor's assistant
  • Formal
365 3.5

A person who helps someone in a job, for example a teacher or politician

is about backstage performer care rather than official or formal duties
dresser
vsactor's assistant
  • Jargon
12 6.1

A person who helps actors with their costumes during shows

also attends to personal needs as well as costume help
aider
vsactor's assistant
3 4.7

A person who helps someone in need, for example with first aid

applies specifically to helping performers with costume and personal tasks
dressman
vsactor's assistant
9.6

A man who helps performers put on and adjust costumes backstage

also cares for personal needs and is not restricted by gender

How Experienced

senior
800 2.9
actor's assistant
3.9
assistant
833 1.0
trainee
50 2.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

actor's + assistant

The phrase is fully compositional: 'actor's' (possessive of actor) indicates whom the assistant belongs to and 'assistant' means a helper, so the combined meaning is simply a helper of an actor. This possessive + noun structure is a regular, cross-linguistic pattern and would be clear to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The phrase actor's assistant comes from the stage, where a assistant stands beside an actor to help with quick costume changes and hand props during a show. So the name shows they are literally the actor's helper and today it means 'a person who helps an actor with costumes and personal needs'.