Costumes Creative and/or Organizational Leadership

This committee reports to the Assistant Director.

One person can serve as both creative and organizational head of costumes or 2 people can work together with one in each role.  These people should plan to be present during 90% to 100% of rehearsal time. It is a big commitment and can also be one of the more rewarding jobs if you enjoy being directly involved in the creative process of the show and also directly involved with the cast members and staff. 

Creative:  Obtain and oversee creative vision from directors and meet deadlines. Organize and communicate with sewing committee for at-home vs. rehearsal work. Organize and communicate "finding" needs to non-sewing committee. Work with directors throughout rehearsals to maintain artistic vision.

Organizational:  Assign committee tasks and communicate with committee to fit, create, procure, organize and store costumes.  Adhere to budget, keep records, meet return deadlines and organize strike plan.

COSTUMES CREATIVE LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

The creative leader is the head of the Costumes Committee. This position requires being available during weekly rehearsals, working closely with the organizational leader and directors to communicate the creative needs of the show. Previous costuming experience is strongly recommended. 

Duties for this position include:

• Meeting with the Costume Organizational Leader and the Directors during the first month of the rehearsals, to establish vision for the show and create deadlines.  

• Reading the script and researching the location and time period of the show, developing concrete ideas for costuming the production. Communicate vision to the Costume Committee.

• Working with the Organizational Leader to determine which of you will be the main communicator (generally via emails during the week) with the rest of the committee and the Directors.

• Determining what items will need to be constructed, purchased, borrowed, or rented.  

• Working with the Organizational Leader to insure that all committee members and costume assistants have work during rehearsals and know what their tasks are.  Be available to answer questions and work alongside committee members and the Directors.

• Helping committee members meet the goal of keeping costumes within the HPA dress code, some creative problem solving is often needed.

• Making sure that costume deadlines are being met (i.e. photo shoot, costume parades, etc.). This will be a joint effort with the organizational leader.

COSTUMES ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

The Organizational Leader for costumes will support the creative leader by helping him/her organize, communicate, and lead the rest of the team.  Duties for this position would include:

• Helping the Creative Leader assess the skills and desires of each committee member and costume assistant and assigning tasks appropriately.  

• Creating and implementing plans which keep the entire process organized, including costume storage, marking, borrowing, etc.  In general, making sure that we are being efficient, neat, and organized.

• Working with the Creative Leader to determine which of you will be the main communicator (generally via emails during the week) with the rest of the committee and with the Directors.

• Scheduling and organizing a measuring date/time for the cast as well as making sure there is a good system in place for this process and that all supplies are present when needed (costume cards, pencils, measuring tapes, etc.).  This person will also make sure the committee members can be present and will assign specific tasks for each member.

• Helping create a system for cast members and committee members so that costumes can be tried on for the first time in private and there is a discrete way to discuss the fit of things and how it needs to be altered.  Make sure that cast members will not have to try something on and then walk through a public area to show it to the costumer—remember, it may fit very poorly or be immodest at that point.

• Being the communicator and contact person with all outside companies we contact regarding borrowing or renting costumes.  We do not want 3 people contacting the same theatre asking different questions (or the same questions) each week. Have the entire committee take that communication through you.

• Being the communicator for HPA Barn visits, helping coordinate trips so that numerous people aren’t spending gas and time making the drive.

• Being the communicator with other costume committees regarding who has various items from the barn and how the shows can share these resources.

• Making sure that ALL COSTUMES ARE LABELED WITH THE THEATRE NAME BEFORE IT ENTERS YOUR REHEARSAL BUILDING! Keep careful accounting of all borrowed costume pieces.   

• Keeping track of costume deadlines and making sure they are being met (i.e. photo shoot, costume parades, etc.).

• Tracking money spent and the budget, making sure that ALL receipts are turned in with a Reimbursement Form to your rehearsal check-in table.

Developing a strategy for strike: plan a separation of costumes by theatre company rental and coordinate with those on the Costume Laundering and Restocking committee for PROPER laundering (as desired and specified by the lender) and removal of all costumes from theater at strike. BE SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR EACH COSTUME.