Each of the interpreters is measured during the audition. These measurements are saved in an Excel spreadsheet. This makes it easier to divide them into groups and send information to other volunteers. I can sort them by size, like waist circumference or skirt length, depending on the costume I`m referring to. I can also make copies of individual measurement/contact sheets when I entrust a project to a volunteer. We have suits for Legal Blonde. Each costume can be rented between $10 and $40 each, or starting at $995 for the main set with options to add props. We are able to ship anywhere in the continental United States (the renter covers shipping and insurance costs). I communicate with my volunteers in different ways. I do a few direct emails. I also write Google docs with to-do lists. My volunteers can then go through the lists to see what appeals to them and volunteer for those jobs. I take notes on who volunteers and when it`s over.
My daughter and I attended a touring production of «Newsies» this year. The main character always wore a blue shirt, and he wore this outfit throughout the show. Now, one might think that the main character should have a lot of costume changes, because HE is the most important. But what I realized was that in the nosebleeds section, we were able to identify who he was by NOT changing his suit and always wearing the same shirt (and he was the only one in that blue color). Did it bother me that he wore the same clothes every day/week/month during the period that was supposed to take place in the show? Not a bit. I also saw a video of the wedding scene in «Mamma Mia». All wedding guests were dressed in shades of orange. Some were darker, others lighter and they were mixed with neutral colors, but the common denominator among the costumes was this orange color. It was very effective and created a very eye-catching visual effect. I decided I wanted to do more with color coordination in this show. This whole costume adventure is a work in progress and I am certainly learning more and more. I also wanted to try to develop the characters further through costume selection.
I also make lists of costume «needs» when they appear in order to try to remember them all! I also have an email address and create a group mailing list for all artists. They laugh because I tend to send them a lot of emails. But if I have a question or need an adjustment, I just send them an email. When I assign costumes to an artist, I have large shackle labels with metal buckles to label them. I also like to use shower curtain hooks (circles) to group hangers. Later, I use the shower curtain hooks to separate the costumes on the hanging frame. If the show requires it, I write a card with a description of each costume and when the artist should wear it. Although we talk about it during the fitting, they often have questions, and by writing it down, I save tons of time later. I wanted to try to have a PLAN for the show, dividing the groups by style and colors, and developing the characters through the use of costumes. Many of the characters in this series grow, learn, and change.
And their costumes can support this process. I had three basic groups: the Delta Nu, the Harvard types, and the hair affair. I work from a binder. Each member artist has a page listing who they are and the costumes they need. As I work on the actors, I take notes about their costume, what they wear for each scene, and what I`m missing – like a belt or blouse. This was especially important for this show because I had a cast of 60 people with a lot of changes – at the end of February, I couldn`t remember what we had decided on the costumes in early January! When we create costumes, this folder also contains my time information, photos of ideas, and sketches of what the final costume should look like. Paulette & the Hair Affair: The entire Hair Affair team is dressed in bright colors and large patterns. This is done intentionally to stand out from Harvard characters. Paulette is eccentric and angry. Their costumes are meant to help you say, «She`s a funny person.» My Paulette liked to dress in diapers, and three of her outfits had fringed vests. She also had a hair accessory for each outfit.
Each outfit was different, but it had recurring themes. You will find more information about our rentals under costumes.desiredeffect.com/. The process: I start with lists. Many lists. This show had 60 artists, last year there were 70+, and both shows had 200+ costumes. The beginning starts with research: reading the script, getting a costume story, looking at photos, and watching videos. Our musical this spring is «Legally Blonde.» On the one hand, it was a welcome change from the period series we`ve done over the past couple of years («Beauty and the Beast» and «Grease»). On the other hand. There weren`t as many fun costumes to make for Whipped 🙂 Into Shape: At the beginning of «Extraincise Video», I decided to dress everyone the same. I opted for a bright green top with sparkling black shorts. Brooke wears bright orange pants with a pink top.
When we move to prison, Brooke adds an orange jacket. The prisoners are dressed in orange trousers and a black and white striped top with a sequined «JAIL». The articles that follow and describe what was done for «Legally Blonde» will be more descriptions of what I chose, with only a few changes and upcycling, because this production required less of this kind of thing. Without a doubt, there are better methods, but it works for me! Enid: Enid starts in the Camo/Peace Corp look. She stands out at the party in a kind of hippie outfit. At the end of the first act, she is casual in neutral colors and then puts on her «law student» clothes for the trial. Greek Choir: I dressed the Greek choir in brilliant white and metallic silver. That means a lot of silver glitter Clothing styles 🙂 are more mixed. But the colors are consistent. Brooke: I decided to make Brooke a little sexy.
She wears two polka dot dresses. The first in neutral colors with red lipstick accessories. She then changes to a tight black and green dress and platform heels. Delta Nu`s: I dressed the DNs in coral and blue tones. They all wear dresses or longer tops with leggings. The outfits are all summery. For the final process, the three main DNs are pink in support of Elle. Harvard: Brown was my Harvard color.
My «generic» Harvard students are all dressed in neutral colors and each additional color is in brown tones with just a hint of blue. Once, a cast member asked me what date/era I was shooting for. and I said, «No date, just a stereotypical law student.» I also used various brown shirts with a gold felt «H». Vivienne : Vivienne is classic elegance. It is always developed conservatively. She may be a little overdressed, but tasteful. Parents: Elle`s parents are a bit eccentric. Why not? His father loves Plaid and his mother has a penchant for big hats.
Her: I (obviously) dressed Elle in shades of pink. Pink, better. And sparks, especially on his first day at Harvard. When she first tries to fit in at Harvard, she loses luster and then dresses in neutral tones, but the styles are a bit naughty. When she arrives at the trial, she is dressed quite conservatively.