COSTUME STUDIO TIMELINES

To insure a smoothly running production time, the costume studio has set aside dates where discussion meetings and decisions can be made. Because there are usually several productions in process at one time, every date will not necessarily be a "convenient" date for all parties concerned. However, accommodations can be made a few days in either direction. The studio will also be used as a classroom several times a week, and to insure cohesive instruction time, fittings will have to be scheduled around those times.

The following timeline shows the orderly progress of a production from the Costume Studio Manager's perspective:

As soon as the production is cast, a list of the cast is sent to the studio by the Stage Manager so that measurements can be pulled and a book made for the show.

SIX TO SEVEN WEEKS before the first dress rehearsal, the designer (co-ordinator, director, producer, or choreographer, etc.) meets with the costume studio manager to talk over the scope of the production. At this time budgets, amount of hours that can be dedicated to the show by individuals, frank estimation of available labor, special projects, and research materials are discussed. A tour of the storage to see available stock should also be arranged. The designer should visit fabric stores to collect swatches and resale shops to know what is available in this area. At some point, the designer must meet with the fiscal person of the producing department to learn purchasing procedures.

The studio manager will take measurements during these weeks, pull patterns, and estimate yardages as needed.

FIVE TO SIX WEEKS before the first dress rehearsal, the designer (co-ordinator, director, producer, or choreographer, etc.) meets with the costume studio manager to show preliminary sketches, presents a costume plot, and begins to make lists of the items to be pulled, bought, rented, and built. Special craft, sewing, and fabric supplies need to be identified and ordered.

The studio manager will assist the designer by locating items, setting fitting appointments, and patterning as needed.

FOUR WEEKS before the first dress rehearsal, finalized sketches and plans must be in the studio so that the work can begin. The designer/choreographer must be available to attend all fittings. First fittings on pulled garments for alterations, and toward the end of the week, fittings on mock-ups will take place. The designer will be responsible for providing the information and supplies (including fabric modifications) to keep the show moving forward.

The studio manager will attend all fittings, take all notes and make subsequent lists, assign jobs, cut and sew as needed.

THREE WEEKS before first dress rehearsal, fittings, alterations, cutting and sewing continue, craft work should begin, and hair and makeup discussed with assigned crew. Rehearsal garments will be furnished if needed and all shoes checked for repairs and revisions.

TWO WEEKS before first dress rehearsal, begin another (perhaps final) round of fittings to check all items. Sewing continues, trims are placed and sewn, garments finished and labeled. Hair and makeup supplies are purchased and shoes picked up from repair shop. Paperwork to organize backstage crew begins.

ONE WEEK before first dress rehearsal the final fittings in the constructed garments take place, hair and makeup crews meet and practice as needed, and all items are finished. ONE WEEK before the Opening Night, the backstage wardrobe run crew meets to receive their instructions, write inventory lists, learn about the laundry procedures, and divide their duties. (Dress rehearsal day is too late to do this!) THE WEEKEND before the first dress rehearsal should be set aside to take care of any last minute shopping, load the dressing rooms with the finished items, practice any quick changes and prepare wigs and special makeup items. Dyeing must be completed by this time.

THE DAY OF FIRST DRESS REHEARSAL, as the studio crews finish the clothes, the run crew finishes labeling as needed, loads the dressing rooms, takes an inventory of all items, and runs the show. After the rehearsal, the designer and crew coordinate their notes, bringing items to be worked on to the studio. The run crew does the laundry.

THE DAY OF THE SECOND DRESS REHEARSAL, the studio manager and crews make needed revisions, within reason, given the resources available. The run crew person assigned to laundry/ironing duty arrives earlier than the others. The dressing rooms must be loaded and inventory finished before performers arrive. The rehearsal proceeds as before.

THE DAY OF THE THIRD DRESS REHEARSAL (SOMETIMES CALLED PREVIEW) should be a repeat of the second day, but much less hectic. Ditto for OPENING DAY.

DURING THE RUN OF THE SHOW, the designer, studio manager, and run crew supervisor should consult frequently to insure that problems are prevented.

DURING STRIKE, depending on the show, performers might be called upon to help unload the dressing rooms, and return items to the costume studio. All items are checked against the inventory sheets, laundry is begun.

DAYS FOLLOWING STRIKE, the studio manager and day crews complete the strike, sending and receiving the cleaning, returning rentals, and restocking all items.

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