Whichever option or mix of options you choose you need to begin gathering fabric samples and potential costume finds for the designer and director to look over before making final purchases. Costume hires, like the National Theatre and South London Theatre, usually have online catalogues to browse and a variety of hiring options to suit your timeline. Costumes can be easily sourced through online shopping if you are looking for a specific piece and checking charity shops is a fantastic way of finding affordable items in a more environmentally friendly way. Complicated period gowns may be time consuming and expensive to make, so it might be better to hire those. Shows set in the modern day with jeans and t-shirts can usually be bought or hired easily. Very physical productions will usually require constructed costumes made specially to fit performers and to allow more movement. This usually depends on budget, time period, and requirements of the show. If their role is very physically demanding, that needs to be considered when designing and constructing the costume.Īs the construction process begins, we need to decide which items will be bought, hired, or made. It is also a suitable time to hear their ideas about the character’s costume, as they are the ones who need to feel comfortable in it and can provide valuable insight about the role. Reassure them that the information will remain private and prioritise their comfort throughout. Taking measurements and disclosing personal information can be an uncomfortable situation for an actor, so it is incredibly important to make them feel safe and happy with this process. Some actors might have their own measurements already done, but if not, we will need to gather these, along with any allergies, tattoos, piercings, or other physical things. Next, we need to get measurements from the cast.

Pay attention to the details, particularly at entrances and exits, where the character might put on a hat or remove a coat, as you will need these even if they are only on stage briefly. This means reading through, cataloguing each character and any potential costume changes. Being flexible and responsive to the needs of the show is incredibly important here.įirst, we need to break down the script.

As a result, this is a timeline of some of the duties of the wardrobe department throughout a production. A production set in Victorian England may require more construction and research than a show set in the modern day, which may be more about sourcing and distressing costumes. As with roles, the duties of the wardrobe department vary based on the design of the show, cast size, budget, and more.

Theatre costume plot template