Job Description: Costume Designer

PRE-PRODUCTION

• Obtain budget figure and production forms from the Production Manager. Itemize all expenses on the forms provided by Production Manager. Attach receipts.
• Read the script several times to become familiar with the story, period, characters, scene breakdown and timeline, etc. It is also a good idea to have a second script available to circulate to the individuals working on your crew, so they can read it.
• Determine if you will handle all areas of the costuming or share responsibilities with anyone else and what the exact division of duties will be.
• Discuss the show and its costumes with the Director and other Designers to get a feel for their artistic vision for the production. Talk about colors, textures and other elements of design which need to be complemented in the costumes. Discuss hairstyles and wigs with makeup supervisor and how they will affect your plans for hats.
• If you feel the budget allotted for costumes is not going to be sufficient to fulfil the artistic vision for the show, contact the Production Manager immediately.
• Confer with the Director and Stage Manager when in the rehearsal period costumes will be required.
• Find out if the Director wishes any cast members to have rehearsal skirts or other temporary costumes pieces for early rehearsals.
• Discuss with the Props Supervisor if there are any personal prop items which will be considered as part of the actors’ costumes. Decide who is responsible for procuring them.
• Make a master list or chart of all characters and detail the costumes required for each. Note the costume changes, paying particular attention to quick changes. Determine what changes might need to occur backstage.
• Consult with the ACT Wardrobe Supervisor to determine what costumes might be pulled or adapted from ACT’s collection. Get ap-proval before cutting or dyeing any items.
• Determine if remaining costumes will be rented or constructed. ACT has a good rela-tionship with several area theatres for rent-ing or borrowing items (Tyrone Area Play-ers, Allegheny Highlands Regional Theatre, Penn State Altoona, Clearfield Community Theatre). Jim Gatehouse’s collection also is a possible source of items for rent or lend.
• Collect, fit, alter and or make all costumes.
• Take measurements of all cast members as soon possible after director decides who will play what character. Measurement forms are available in the ACT office if needed.
• Be sure to notify all cast members of any items they will need to provide like dance shoes, etc.
• Review design sketches, swatches, etc. with the director for approval. Maintain commu-nication throughout the rehearsal period and be sure to get any changes approved.
• Make arrangements early for any rental of costumes. Catalogues are available through ACT’s Wardrobe Supervisor or office.
• Ask the Stage Manager for a copy of the re-hearsal schedule and cast contact sheet so you can arrange to fit actors when they’re not needed by the Director.
• Confer with actors to see what clothing items they might be able to provide for their own characters or others.
• Solicit crew members from your own list of people, from fact sheets available from the Production Manager or the ACT office.
• If you have major problems you cannot solve, consult again with the ACT Wardrobe supervisor.
• Submit to the Operations Manager a list of all businesses and individuals who lent items for acknowledgement in the playbill. Also submit a list of all volunteers working with you on the Costume crew. Double check spelling on all lists. Deadline for this gener-ally is the Sunday of load-in weekend. Also submit your bio for the show program.

AT THE THEATRE

• Assign dressing rooms and set up wardrobe room with ironing board, steamer, sewing machine, supplies, etc.
• Make sure dressing rooms, green room area, lavatories and other basement sites are clean and ready for load-in. If there are problems needing to be addressed by BCAF, inform the ACT office.
• Confer with Stage Manager and Set Design-er or Construction Supervisor about the best place to locate backstage dressing rooms. Set up those changing areas.
• Oversee transfer of costumes and racks from ACT building to theatre.
• Set up and distribute schedule for when crew members are needed for final rehearsals and performances. Be specific about what time they are called for, especially if it differs from the call announced to the cast.
• Advise all crew members to wear “blacks” backstage for all performances.
• Be sure your crew is informed of when they will be needed for rehearsals, the call for performances, etc., as well as tee-shirt sales, production parties, etc.
• Prepare a costume change plot and make copies for all costume crew members. Give copies to Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager so they are aware how the changes may affect the run of a performance
• Prior to first dress rehearsal, conduct a dress parade in the order of the show so director can approve costumes prior to actual use.
• Prior to first dress rehearsal, review with actors any rules or directions regarding costumes including:
• No smoking, drinking or eating in costume.
• No personal jewelry worn during show.
• No use of perfume, cologne or afters-have while in costume.
• No being seen by audience in costume other than onstage.
• Procedure for where to put costumes needing mending or laundered after performances.
• Don’t make any changes to costumes without checking with costumer or wardrobe supervisor.
• Before the first dress rehearsal, practice any fast or difficult changes with the actor and dressers present. Make sure stage managers have a list of where and when these costume changes take place so they can be aware of them during performances.
• Submit to Operations Manager a list of all volunteers working with you on the construction crew. The deadline for this generally is the Sunday of load-in weekend. Also submit to Operations Manager your bio for the program.

PERFORMANCES

• Make sure all changes are operating smoothly and find solutions for any problems
• After each performance, check to make sure all costume pieces have been returned by actors or wardrobe staff to dressing rooms or appropriate storage site.
• After each performance, check for any repair work necessary, even if actors haven’t brought them to your attention.
• Complete any necessary laundering and ironing before next performance.
• Maintain the costumes for the run of the show. This includes laundering, ironing, mending and refitting.

POST PRODUCTION

• Organize strike of all costume items and cleanup of Mishler dressing room and ACT wardrobe areas.
• Arrange for cleaning, laundering and return to wardrobe room for all stock items and newly built or purchased items. Everything should be returned to ACT wardrobe room within two weeks after the production.
• Arrange for return of rented and borrowed items. Nothing should be left hanging in the theatre.
• Arrange for all racks and accessories to be returned to the ACT wardrobe room.
• Submit necessary forms for reimbursement of expenditures, with receipts attached as appropriate.
• Complete production report and return to Production Manager with receipts attached as appropriate.
• Send thank you notes to crew members and special persons or groups who have loaned items or assisted you.

SPECIAL NOTES:

• ACT has an account with Surplus City on which purchases may be charged. Consult the ACT office for permission and procedures.