Open Forum

Hi All,

I am the co-theater director at a Private Catholic School functioning on a tight budget. In the past, we have used our budget to thrift and purchase costumes for principle roles and sourced "ensemble" costumes from the student's own closets or from our costume closet. I am looking to see if anyone does something similar and how you communicate the costume guidelines to the cast and then verify items they bring in are acceptable.

Does anyone provide a list of items for students or families to purchase themselves? We are doing "Matilda" this spring, and I am thinking of asking the cast to source their own Phys. Ed Uniforms (black gym shorts, white knee socks, and I have designed a PE t-shirt that will also serve as their cast/crew t-shirt/show memento).

I am open to any feedback and advice! I am still a fairly new director!

Thanks in Advance,

Grace Farrell

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Grace Farrell
Teacher and Theatre Arts Director
Mercy - Xavier High Schools
CT
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Hi Grace!

We are also doing Matilda this spring, and I ask students to provide their own costumes. I will happily attach a few of my costume guideline documents that I share with the students to source their own costumes.

I ask them to bring in their costumes at least a month before the show to check them and I also ask for them to email me for approval or with questions. This worked well last year when we did Annie. You are welcome to make a copy and repurpose these documents for your own production! (Also I have more documents that I would be happy to share- I'm just attaching a few, so let me know!)

Also congrats on being a new director! I started the drama program at my school a few years ago and it's been a wildly fun journey- I hope you enjoy it!

Best,

Emily Butterworth

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Emily Butterworth
Millwood School
VA
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