Costume Designer
DESCRIPTION: Responsible for the visual appearance of the actors. Designs for theatrical costumes consist of colored sketches or wardrobe “Look Books” depicting the clothing and accessories that will be worn by the actor to include what is seen (clothes, accessories, costume props, masks, wigs, and makeup) as well as what is not seen (corsets, hoops, boning, and padding). The Costume Designer creates an aesthetic vision for the costuming/environment of the play, based on the script and the director’s approach to the play. All student design work is done under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
REPORTS TO: Director and Costume Shop Manager and/or Costume Design Faculty.
EXPECTATIONS: For an in-depth guide to expectations and costume shop policies, refer to the Costume Shop Handbook (Appendicies)
Create renderings and research as necessary for the production team to produce the costumes efficiently and effectively (Renderings are not necessary for pulled costumes unless those pieces require substantial modification. (A ”Look Book” is exhaustive electronic research for the show and each character Based on the approach to the production. Generally, these are done for contemporary, pulled or shopped shows. Students should consult Costume Design Faculty for this consideration).
Create a wardrobe plot.
Select or approve all fabric and fabric modifications.
Design, select, or approve all costume accessories.
Assist with the costume shop build by pulling from stock, selecting patterns, and arranging rentals as needed.
Find, select, or approve the selection and alteration of all modern clothing.
Design or approve hairstyles and the selection of wigs, hairpieces, mustaches, beards, and makeup.
Consult with the Costume Shop Manager regarding budget and purchasing and adhere to those procedures and parameters.
Communicate your availability for fittings to the Costume Shop Manager and attend all fittings as arranged.
Ensure that the designs let the actor move as the role requires.
During construction and though opening night communicate with the Costume Shop Manager and be available to answer questions that arise.
Coordinate regularly with the scenic and lighting designers to make sure that the production design is a cohesive whole.
Provide the scenic and lighting designers with fabric swatches as soon as possible.
Attend all dress rehearsals to take notes regarding changes and alterations.
Meet with the Costume Shop Manager to discuss strike.
Advise on which pieces need to be sent to dry cleaning, which will return to stock, and coordinate the return of any borrowed or rented costumes.
PRODUCTION TIMELINE
9 Weeks Before Opening: Play Discussion
8 Weeks Before Opening: Ideas/Dreams Meeting
7 Weeks Before Opening: Preliminary Designs
6 Weeks Before Opening: Design Meeting and Cost Out/Priorities
5 Weeks Before Opening (and ongoing) Production Meeting
4 Weeks Before Opening: Company Meeting/First Rehearsal/Costume Presentation; Measurements
3 Weeks Before Opening: Rehearsal pieces
2 Weeks Before Opening: Designer Run; Fittings
1 Week Before Opening: Final fittings, final footwear/pieces; Paper Tech (if needed)
Week of Opening: First Dress with costumes but not hair and makeup; Full Dress; Opening
Costume Designer Expectations
Read the script several times, taking note of overall story and theme and specific costuming needs. Determine research and dramaturgical needs.
Consult the departmental production calendar and note all due dates. It is important that you meet these dates because it affects the work of so many other people.
Meet with the director and other production team members to determine the concept for the show within which all designers will work.
Attend all design and production meetings. Make sure the stage manager has all of your current contact information.
Create renderings of costumes as necessary for the production team to review during the design process.
Renderings for all costumes to be built should be provided to the costume shop supervisor for construction. Renderings are not required for pulled costumes unless they require substantial modification.
Provide drapers with copies of sketches or explanations of the designs necessary for their work.
Select or approve selection of all fabric and fabric modifications.
Design, select, or approve all costume accessories.
Find, select, or approve the selection and alteration of all modern clothing.
Design or approve hairstyles and the selection of wigs, hairpieces, mustaches, beards, and special makeups.
Speak with your mentor or the costume shop supervisor about your budget and purchasing procedures and make sure you have approval on all purchases before making them. You will not be reimbursed for unapproved purchases.
Communicate your availability for fittings to the costume shop supervisor, and attend all fittings
Be at the shop on time every workday to answer questions that arise. Clearly walk through the workday with the costume shop supervisor. It is their responsibility to distribute daily tasks, as they are there all day to ensure the timely construction of your design, and your schedule may not allow you to do the same.
Coordinate regularly with the scenic and lighting designers to make sure that the production design is a cohesive whole. The lighting designer should be provided with fabric swatches as soon as possible.
Attend dress parade and all dress rehearsals to take notes on changes and alterations.
Create a wardrobe plot so that costumes may be checked in and out each day. Include a way to track pieces that need or have been sent to laundry.
Attend photo call to get photographs of your design. Submit to the stage management team a very short list of specific full stage shots you would like from the professional photographer. The total number of set-ups that the photographer can take is very limited so it would be best if your list is in order of preference. You should also take your own photographs.
Meet with the costume shop supervisor to discuss strike. Make note of which pieces need to be sent to dry cleaning, which will return to stock, and coordinate the return of any borrowed or rented costumes