Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Finding Props and Costumes

Message

   I'm directing a school show, and I'm looking to obtain some costumes and props as cheaply as possible.  This is my sixth year directing at the school, and a lot of times I end up purchasing items that I know could easily be borrowed, but because of a lack of time and assistance, unnecessary money is spent.

Where do all of you look for props and costume pieces?  I like to hit up craigslist, ebay, and (I'm sorry, but it's inexpensive) Walmart.  I've had limited luck at thrift stores.  If I'm able to find what I'm looking for (which I usually am not), the thrift stores here in Jersey are still pretty expensive, and a lot of times a similar item can be found for roughly the same price brand new at Walmart.  Where else should I be looking?

This year we need a ventriloquist dummy and a chef's jacket, amongst other things.  These are not items that are difficult to find, but purchasing new would be expensive and they'd be next to impossible to find at a thrift store.

Author	Message
jerseyactor Player Joined: 7/06/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Topic: Finding Props and Costumes Posted: 9/29/11 at 1:16am
	I'm directing a school show, and I'm looking to obtain some costumes and props as cheaply as possible. This is my sixth year directing at the school, and a lot of times I end up purchasing items that I know could easily be borrowed, but because of a lack of time and assistance, unnecessary money is spent. Where do all of you look for props and costume pieces? I like to hit up craigslist, ebay, and (I'm sorry, but it's inexpensive) Walmart. I've had limited luck at thrift stores. If I'm able to find what I'm looking for (which I usually am not), the thrift stores here in Jersey are still pretty expensive, and a lot of times a similar item can be found for roughly the same price brand new at Walmart. Where else should I be looking? This year we need a ventriloquist dummy and a chef's jacket, amongst other things. These are not items that are difficult to find, but purchasing new would be expensive and they'd be next to impossible to find at a thrift store.

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pdavis69 Celebrity Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Posted: 9/29/11 at 9:16am
	Network. Call the local community theatres. Call other High Schools. A quick scan of the internet gave me a huge number of community theares in Jersey. Some might charge a rental fee but many CTs offer things free to High Schools and other CTs.
	Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse
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jerseyactor Player Joined: 7/06/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 9/29/11 at 6:15pm
	Thanks for the suggestion. I forgot to mention that I work with a community theater company, and one of my students' mothers is artistic director at a community theater that houses about ten companies, so we're able to borrow what we can. Unfortunately, I have a hard time coming across costumes that fit properly. My tiny students tend to drown in costumes that are often fitted for middle aged adults. (It's a lot trickier than it sounds coming across pants for a student with a 26" waist.) I'm a stickler for proper sizing. Any other ideas?
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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup