new at costuming - please help!
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1909
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Topic: new at costuming - please help!
Posted By: sneakytiptoes
Subject: new at costuming - please help!
Date Posted: 7/01/06 at 11:54pm
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Hello! I'm substituting for the costume designer at my community theatre
this summer because she is one of my professors and she knew I wanted to be a costume designer myself. I can't seem to do anything right around here! They don't think I'm responsible enough because the actors complain of wet costumes and missing costumes all the time, even though I dry all costumes thoroughly and make sure they're all there before every performance. I'm not very sure of myself because it's my first time costuming actual productions (by myself, no less) and that frustrates the director to no end. There's a lot of stuff I just don't know because I haven't had experience and she expects me to know all of it! For example, I wasn't very organized about who was wearing what in which scene because it didn't occur to me that I could just make a simple table for that. The director was not very happy. I also got some outlines and sketches from the costume designer before she left. For our first production, Godspell, I found everything that was on the outline and I gave the director a copy of my list of stuff, so I thought I was doing fine since she didn't really say much about the list except "good". When we got to dress rehearsal, she freaked out because it wasn't anything like she wanted. Needless to say, I was very confused! Anyway, I would appreciate any tips about costuming you guys could give me. Any little thing will help, even if it sounds like common sense. |
Replies:
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 7/02/06 at 1:05am
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It sounds like there is the element of communication missing in the equation. The designer gave you outlines and sketches. You gave the director a list? Didn't the director want to see the sketches? That would be an amazing lack of curiosity for a director. Did the director or stage manager call any production meetings? That is where most of this kind of thing gets talked about. I think also that part of it is just being new in the organization and not knowing what the procedure is for that organization. If you are all practicing a "don't ask don't tell" policy as regards costumes, then it isn't surprising that the director isn't happy. But it doesn't seem to me that much of the director's unhappiness is your fault. When I have done costuming I want the director to see what I'm putting together several weeks before dress rehearsal (sketches, photos, etc) and he/she can make any changes at that time. DR is too late to have to make very many changes. A chart is really important especially if you have actors who have several costume changes, or if you have borrowed or rented items. You have to have a way to keep an inventory of things that need to be returned. Just make sure you have lots of communication with your director next time. They never like their rehearsals interrupted with questions about costumes so make sure its at a meeting especially for production topics or before or after a rehearsal. I hope you have a better experience next time!
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Posted By: k8tt
Date Posted: 7/02/06 at 3:39pm
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You need to make friends with the stage manager and have him/her include you in meetings. Tell them you want to go over costumes EARLY on, like Kathy said, not at the first dress rehearsal! Is there a cast guidelines list that the cast is given which has a rule: "If your costume does not fit or you have a problem with it, POLITELY tell the costumer what is wrong." If you don't have that rule, make a poster and hang it up in the dressing room. Each costume should be on a hanger with a card showing actor, scene, list of costume pieces, accessories, etc. Train your cast to hang everything back up the way YOU want it done (and put dirty laundry where you want it). Sounds like you are organized with lists of who has what costume/accessory/etc. so you can cross-reference with the cards on the hangers. Don't stress too much. I really appreciate our head costumer for her calm attitude. Wearing sharp scissors on a chain around your neck also helps get some respect.  |
Posted By: Shatcher
Date Posted: 7/03/06 at 11:19am
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I find this kind of thing happens with new folks all the time. some directors belive we all sprang to life with all the knowledge and expercince they have. I feel like we need to all remember that newq people are new. We should be helping these folks hone their skill not put them off the theatre all together. Maybe try sitting down with this director and ask them what they expect from you and how they are used to doing things. tell them you are new and want to learn from them. a lot of folks see this kind of stuff as an ego boost! I love it when a newbie asks me for advice, it reminds me of how far I ahve come and sometines how far I have yet to go. Good luck, keep your head up, we were all new once |
