Open Forum

Hi, Everyone!
This is my first musical, and we don't have enough costumes for this medieval type story. I have about 193 bucks to spend (on the whole production lol), but this money will be mostly spent on costumes since I have other materials to use. Incidentally, If anyone has a recommendation for easy ways to do scene changes (we need 6 or 7 scenes), I would love to hear it. I'm based in Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley (LAUSD).
Thank you very much, and wish me luck. Or break a leg.
Mr. Avila

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Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------

Hi Brian,
I can feel your pain. I started my first job with a little more than you have, but no costumes except some ratty old stuff. I can sew, so making costumes is always an option for me, but I know that fabric has gotten expensive since I started, so that makes it difficult. I have used sheets, blankets, curtains, etc from thrift stores to make costumes. However, with a very small budget that is even beyond your reach. Here's an idea, though for medieval costumes. Send out a request to students, faculty, neighbors, friends for donations of prom or bridesmaid dresses. With a little creativity you can turn these into adequate styles. Long sleeve T-shirts can double as chemises, and the dresses can go over, with the addition of ribbons for straps. Hats are pretty easy to make with light weight cardboard and scarves. For the guys, tights (I have my kids buy their own) and a knee-length bathrobe or long woman's tunic will give the look. A good costume reference for you is ElegantlyFrugalCostumes by Shirley Dearing

For scene changes, you can use tryptichs - fasten 3 flats together and put casters on the bottom, or double sided flats for easy changes. Use area staging where you can and just bring in a piece or two to suggest the scene.

Feel free to contact me for additional ideas if you wish.

Ellen Di Filippo
Tracy High School, Tracy, CA

------------------------------
Ellen Di Filippo
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2023 15:38
From: Brian Avila
Subject: First Musical, Need ideas for Acquiring Medieval Costumes on a Low Budget (The Frog Princess - Playscripts)

Hi, Everyone!
This is my first musical, and we don't have enough costumes for this medieval type story. I have about 193 bucks to spend (on the whole production lol), but this money will be mostly spent on costumes since I have other materials to use. Incidentally, If anyone has a recommendation for easy ways to do scene changes (we need 6 or 7 scenes), I would love to hear it. I'm based in Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley (LAUSD).
Thank you very much, and wish me luck. Or break a leg.
Mr. Avila

------------------------------
Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------

Hi, Ellen.
Thank you for the reply! Yes, we have some ratty old stuff as well! lol! I've been playing with the idea of rolling flats for a while, so thank you. Eventually, I would love to have perioktoi, but double sided flats on wheels may be the easiest option right now. I will consider what can be used as a bare minimum for a large background and then add moveable pieces to set the scene (cardboard cut-outs tress, etc. most likely). I'll definitely check out that book, thank you! The email for donations will go out on Tuesday. We also just happened to have a throne on casters--lucky!!! Thank you so much for your time!
Brian

------------------------------
Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-13-2023 11:53
From: Ellen Di Filippo
Subject: First Musical, Need ideas for Acquiring Medieval Costumes on a Low Budget (The Frog Princess - Playscripts)

Hi Brian,
I can feel your pain. I started my first job with a little more than you have, but no costumes except some ratty old stuff. I can sew, so making costumes is always an option for me, but I know that fabric has gotten expensive since I started, so that makes it difficult. I have used sheets, blankets, curtains, etc from thrift stores to make costumes. However, with a very small budget that is even beyond your reach. Here's an idea, though for medieval costumes. Send out a request to students, faculty, neighbors, friends for donations of prom or bridesmaid dresses. With a little creativity you can turn these into adequate styles. Long sleeve T-shirts can double as chemises, and the dresses can go over, with the addition of ribbons for straps. Hats are pretty easy to make with light weight cardboard and scarves. For the guys, tights (I have my kids buy their own) and a knee-length bathrobe or long woman's tunic will give the look. A good costume reference for you is ElegantlyFrugalCostumes by Shirley Dearing

For scene changes, you can use tryptichs - fasten 3 flats together and put casters on the bottom, or double sided flats for easy changes. Use area staging where you can and just bring in a piece or two to suggest the scene.

Feel free to contact me for additional ideas if you wish.

Ellen Di Filippo
Tracy High School, Tracy, CA

------------------------------
Ellen Di Filippo

Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2023 15:38
From: Brian Avila
Subject: First Musical, Need ideas for Acquiring Medieval Costumes on a Low Budget (The Frog Princess - Playscripts)

Hi, Everyone!
This is my first musical, and we don't have enough costumes for this medieval type story. I have about 193 bucks to spend (on the whole production lol), but this money will be mostly spent on costumes since I have other materials to use. Incidentally, If anyone has a recommendation for easy ways to do scene changes (we need 6 or 7 scenes), I would love to hear it. I'm based in Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley (LAUSD).
Thank you very much, and wish me luck. Or break a leg.
Mr. Avila

------------------------------
Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 1/12/2023 3:39:00 PM
From: Brian Avila
Subject: First Musical, Need ideas for Acquiring Medieval Costumes on a Low Budget (The Frog Princess - Playscripts)

Hi, Everyone!
This is my first musical, and we don't have enough costumes for this medieval type story. I have about 193 bucks to spend (on the whole production lol), but this money will be mostly spent on costumes since I have other materials to use. Incidentally, If anyone has a recommendation for easy ways to do scene changes (we need 6 or 7 scenes), I would love to hear it. I'm based in Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley (LAUSD).
Thank you very much, and wish me luck. Or break a leg.
Mr. Avila

------------------------------
Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------

Hi, Cathy!
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I'm trying to figure out how to set up maybe just two large backgrounds and use cardboard cut-outs of trees or other scene specific object attached to or glued to wood floor jacks. Sound about right?  The emails for donations of dresses and people who can sew will go out on Tuesday. Thank you for the great suggestions.
Brian

------------------------------
Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-13-2023 12:26
From: Cathy Archer
Subject: First Musical, Need ideas for Acquiring Medieval Costumes on a Low Budget (The Frog Princess - Playscripts)

    For costumes - if you have someone who can sew  - put thw owrd out you are looking for old prom dresses - long ones - it is very easy to turn them into medieval dresses. Check out Barb Rogers boook - Costuming Made easy - she has many ideas for remaking clothes to fit a particular period.  In terms of scene changes - first figure out what you absolutly need to set the scene - then use the cast to move simple set pieces -  and make flats that are front and back put them on wheels so you can turn them around to changethe scene. 

Hope this helps.

Cathy

Original Message:
Sent: 1/12/2023 3:39:00 PM
From: Brian Avila
Subject: First Musical, Need ideas for Acquiring Medieval Costumes on a Low Budget (The Frog Princess - Playscripts)

Hi, Everyone!
This is my first musical, and we don't have enough costumes for this medieval type story. I have about 193 bucks to spend (on the whole production lol), but this money will be mostly spent on costumes since I have other materials to use. Incidentally, If anyone has a recommendation for easy ways to do scene changes (we need 6 or 7 scenes), I would love to hear it. I'm based in Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley (LAUSD).
Thank you very much, and wish me luck. Or break a leg.
Mr. Avila

------------------------------
Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------

Brian, I just read as much of the musical as Playscripts allows.  

It seems this play can be done with minimal scenery, just something to suggest the area.  Maybe a throne on casters for the scenes with the Tsar, cast members as trees for the forest, etc.

For The Mouse That Roared my students made hilarious long bows of narrow PVC pipe tied into a bow shape with twine.  We made arrows with dowels capped with knitting needle point protectors so we were able to safely shoot them into the wings.  We sawed a notch into the opposite end of the arrow and glued on feathers.  Very effective, and very inexpensive.

I also like to dye thermal long underwear for men to wear as medieval leg coverings.  The texture is really lovely under stage lights.

Yes to old prom dresses!  Also, if you have a thrift store or factory outlet near you, look for duvet covers or comforters that have a brocade design.  I always had students willing to seam rip those comforters apart to free up the brocade.  And don't throw away any polyfill you get out of a comforter.  You can sew a strip of fabric into a tube and stuff it with that polyfill to make really sweet medieval circlets. 



------------------------------
CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2023 15:38
From: Brian Avila
Subject: First Musical, Need ideas for Acquiring Medieval Costumes on a Low Budget (The Frog Princess - Playscripts)

Hi, Everyone!
This is my first musical, and we don't have enough costumes for this medieval type story. I have about 193 bucks to spend (on the whole production lol), but this money will be mostly spent on costumes since I have other materials to use. Incidentally, If anyone has a recommendation for easy ways to do scene changes (we need 6 or 7 scenes), I would love to hear it. I'm based in Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley (LAUSD).
Thank you very much, and wish me luck. Or break a leg.
Mr. Avila

------------------------------
Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------

Hi, CJ!
Thank you for your time and attention. I'm not above learning how to sew! The circlet ideas sounds really cool, btw. Yes, I agree that it seems the muscial can be done with minimal scenery, so I want to capitalize on that. All of your suggestions are very helpful, and I will do my best to make this happen. Long underwear does have a nice waffle texture, so I will keep that in mind; thank you! I didn't think of using pvc pipe for the bows, but that also sounds like a great idea (archery club has bows we might be able to use, but only if it's safe ; )
Thank you so much for your time, CJ!

------------------------------
Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-14-2023 12:59
From: CJ Breland
Subject: First Musical, Need ideas for Acquiring Medieval Costumes on a Low Budget (The Frog Princess - Playscripts)

Brian, I just read as much of the musical as Playscripts allows.  

It seems this play can be done with minimal scenery, just something to suggest the area.  Maybe a throne on casters for the scenes with the Tsar, cast members as trees for the forest, etc.

For The Mouse That Roared my students made hilarious long bows of narrow PVC pipe tied into a bow shape with twine.  We made arrows with dowels capped with knitting needle point protectors so we were able to safely shoot them into the wings.  We sawed a notch into the opposite end of the arrow and glued on feathers.  Very effective, and very inexpensive.

I also like to dye thermal long underwear for men to wear as medieval leg coverings.  The texture is really lovely under stage lights.

Yes to old prom dresses!  Also, if you have a thrift store or factory outlet near you, look for duvet covers or comforters that have a brocade design.  I always had students willing to seam rip those comforters apart to free up the brocade.  And don't throw away any polyfill you get out of a comforter.  You can sew a strip of fabric into a tube and stuff it with that polyfill to make really sweet medieval circlets. 



------------------------------
CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC

Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2023 15:38
From: Brian Avila
Subject: First Musical, Need ideas for Acquiring Medieval Costumes on a Low Budget (The Frog Princess - Playscripts)

Hi, Everyone!
This is my first musical, and we don't have enough costumes for this medieval type story. I have about 193 bucks to spend (on the whole production lol), but this money will be mostly spent on costumes since I have other materials to use. Incidentally, If anyone has a recommendation for easy ways to do scene changes (we need 6 or 7 scenes), I would love to hear it. I'm based in Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley (LAUSD).
Thank you very much, and wish me luck. Or break a leg.
Mr. Avila

------------------------------
Brian Avila
California Educational Theatre Association
CA
------------------------------