Costumes

costumes crew duties quick summary

• create and gather necessary costumes as determined by the director
• store and organize costumes before, during, and after all rehearsals and performances
• attend rehearsals as requested by director
• have all costumes ready for use by the costume parade / first dress rehearsal
• perform duties at rehearsals and performances as indicated by the production director, the tech director, or stage manager.

Description of Position

The Costume Chief responsibility is identifying, caring for, organizing, constructing, borrowing, renting, and/or purchasing all costumes needed for the production. During performances, the Costume Chief is in charge of maintaining and organizing costumes, making sure that they are organized and all costumes are accounted for and mended / altered when needed.

List of Responsibilities

Pre-Production

• Read the script.
• Create a “Costume Book” in a three-ringed binder. It should contain a copy of the script with available space for notes, and other resources provided by Director.
• Attend all production meetings the with production team. At meetings, record concerns or needs and communicate these to the Stage Manager.
• Be present at most Wednesday and Saturday tech days.
• Use the COSTUME FORMS to create a list of all costumes needed for the production. The COSTUME FORMS should include who will use costume, the scene the costume is needed, if the costume is already owned, if the costume needs to be purchased, or if the costume needs to be constructed. See COSTUME FORMS document.
• Research the time period of the show. Find pictures of costumes that are time appropriate; include pictures in COSTUME BOOK.
• Construct / Find / Borrow / Rent / Buy costumes.
• Check with Mr. Reppert to find out the budget procedure.
• The costume needs / progress should be given to Director in timely fashion or when requested.

The Costume Parade

• Check with the director to determine the date of the costume parade.
• All costumes should be ready to be used by the costume parade.
• At the costume parade work with the director to look at all costume on all actors to determine needs.

Tech Week/ Dress Rehearsals / Performances

• Attend all rehearsals.
• Note the use of all costumes and become extremely familiar with the script and the needs of the entire production.
• Help set up costume organization system / costume hooks in the hall.
• Immediately communicate with Stage Manager and directors if a costume become damaged or lost.
• Identify and mend / alter costumes as necessary.
• Communicate costume storage system with actors.

Strike

• Help directors and Stage Manager maintain organization during strike.
• Collect, clean, organize all costumes used during the production. Dispose of perishables.
• Clean and organize costume storage area.
• Report damaged and lost costumes.
• Using a checklist, make sure your duties have been accomplished. Keep cast and crew occupied with appropriate tasks.
• Check out with Stage Manager.
• Compliment and thank crew.

LINK TO COSTUME FORMS