Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: a poll for those of you who rent costumes

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a poll for those of you who rent costumes

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=3944
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Topic: a poll for those of you who rent costumes

Posted By: dramacorrect
Subject: a poll for those of you who rent costumes
Date Posted: 4/13/09 at 12:36am

I work at a smaller costume shop that specializes in working with small to mid size high schools and community theatres. For the last thirty years, we've always priced our costume rentals by the piece. Lately, we've been getting a lot of new customers--about 1/3 of our orders are from new customers this year, and I'm getting feedback that this is a confusing way for them to budget their order.

Since we price by the piece, (colonial day dresses one price, pants one price, shirts another, peasant blouses another) we are very flexible to work with--but it is hard to calculate your costume budget as you order. We can name an average full-costume price to give you an estimate (which we are always at or under) but I've noticed most bigger shops price by the full costume accross the board.

Do you mind choosing one of the answers to help me gauge what's most important to you when renting? Thanks for any input!

1--I'd rather rent by the piece so that I'm paying for exactly the pieces I order. If I know the average price per costume, that's enough info for me to build my order from.

2--I'd rather pay one set price per full costume--whether it's a medival gown or a russian peasant.

3--I'd rather pay one full costume price based on the era and complexity of the show (Camelot costume would cost more than a Fiddler costume).

4--I'd rather choose from a "basic" price (dress only) or a "deluxe" costume price (dress, hat, apron, shawl) for each costume and/or character. That way I can choose to save money on certain costumes or characters (such as chorus members).

And then, please let me know if you normally choose your costume supplier based on complexity of design and/or selection or for price. I know that both are important, but which is your top priority?

http://www.dramaticallycorrect.com - www.dramaticallycorrect.com

Replies:

Posted By: Figetje
Date Posted: 4/14/09 at 5:50am

When we rent costumes, we tend to look for option 4 as you have it listed above. That way we have the right look for the piece and we can usually make up accessories like aprons, shawls ourselves. Selection, accuracy of design is more important than price.

Posted By: oeow
Date Posted: 4/14/09 at 8:57pm

I agree with the previous reply... We had a costume order of about 150 pieces+ and the last place we did business was, was very confusing because of the 'per-piece' pricing, then the hoops you had to jump through to get any sort of discount... I will most likely not be doing business with them in the future. My biggest advice, (coming from a h.s. theater director), is make it EASY for the directors.. have costume plots for major shows (millie, les mis, beast, etc.) all planned out, so the director can just pick and choose from your checklist.
As a director I would say yes to:
$45/basic costume
+10 for accessories
+15 for wig.

Good luck.

Posted By: dramacorrect
Date Posted: 4/15/09 at 10:52am

Thank you so much for the replies so far, this is very helpful. I think several years ago our pricing was set up to be less expensive but has evolved into something confusing, as you put it.

I really appreciate any info! Please, if anyone else has input please post! I'd love to get as much feedback as possible--

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Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 4/16/09 at 9:08am

We primarily rent from two local houses.... One does a modified "piece" (a suit is a piece, but if you want a hat its more)

Our favorite house rents by the Actor... Its like 40/45 dollars an Actor. I believe thier current figure is "up to three costumes" It WAS just an "ACTOR", in other words if you were doing sound of music and your maria had seven changes, it was all included, but I guess they needed to make a little more money on each show... Still a good deal though.

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Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

Posted By: Nyria
Date Posted: 4/16/09 at 8:43pm

I prefer #1 - I teach High School so I am always trying to save money and I only rent the costumes I have to. I would try to find as much as possible - try to borrow this and that. So if I had to rent by the character I would say 'Well I don't need the wig or the shoes so..." (for example)

Hope that makes sense =)

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NYRIA

Posted By: dramacorrect
Date Posted: 4/25/09 at 8:51pm

Thanks everyone! MartyW--I can't believe that price structure, what a deal! I don't doubt they had to change that after a while.

Well, I'm going ahead with our plan after getting feedback here and elsewhere. I was planning to do a pricing structure like #4--so Oklahoma for example, the base costume for each costume needed is $25, the costumes that need extra accessories is $10 dollars for the accessory package. My hope is that this will be a lot simpler for directors, and they can acurately place their order based on their budget.

Thanks again for the input!

http://www.dramaticallycorrect.com - www.dramaticallycorrect.com theatre-themed gifts