The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit

The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit

by Rebecca Pride
Released July 2018
Publisher(s): Focal Press
ISBN: 9781317294726

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Book description

The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit explores the responsibilities of a Costume Supervisor within a theatrical, opera or dance production company. Rebecca Pride provides an insight into all manner of processes, beginning with a definition of the role, and offers explanations of the timeline from the first design meetings, leading all the way up to managing fittings and final rehearsals. This how-to guide outlines best working practices including building a team and creating a costume bible, whilst also providing helpful resources such as sizing guides, a list of useful addresses, and case studies from renowned theatrical organizations.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Contents
  6. List of Illustrations
  7. Foreword
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. List of Contributors
  10. Introduction
    1. The Costume Supervisor as Facilitator
    2. Structure of the Book
  11. Chapter 1: What Does a Costume Supervisor Do?
    1. The Theatre Team Structure
    2. Defining the Role
  12. Chapter 2: Different Types and Genres of Production
    1. Large-scale Production of a Classic Twentieth-century Play
    2. Modern British Musical Pantomime in a Large Provincial Theatre
    3. Student Faculty Production of a Restoration Comedy in a Site-responsive Venue
  13. Chapter 3: Developing Good Communication Skills
    1. Getting Hired
    2. First Design Meeting with Director, Designer and Production Manager
    3. Listening
  14. Chapter 4: Setting up Your Team
    1. Leadership
    2. Costume Roles and Responsibilities
    3. Setting up the Finance and Cash Flow for Your Production
  15. Chapter 5: Budgeting
    1. Creating a Costing Sheet
    2. Estimating Fabric Quantities
    3. Accessing Cash for Shopping Expeditions
    4. Receipt Management
    5. Purchase Orders
  16. Chapter 6: First Rehearsal and Creating the Costume Bible
    1. First Rehearsal
    2. Taking Accurate Measurements, and Etiquette Rules to be Observed When Measuring Actors
    3. Recording Information in the Costume Bible
  17. Chapter 7: Sourcing: Construct, Hire or Buy?
    1. Costume Hire Stores
    2. Shopping
  18. Chapter 8: Managing the Rehearsal Process
    1. Fittings
    2. Creating a Calm Fitting Space
    3. Second Fittings
    4. Costume Parades
    5. Pre-tech Rehearsal and Meeting
  19. Chapter 9: Tech Week
    1. Working with the Running Wardrobe Team
    2. Fitting Understudies
  20. Epilogue
  21. Appendices
    1. 1: Fabric Identification Guide
    2. 2: The Costume Supervisor’s Contract
    3. 3: Male and Female Measurement Forms
    4. 4: Standard Size Charts
    5. 5: Creating a Document Using Excel
  22. Glossary
  23. Production Credits
  24. Useful Addresses
  25. Bibliography
  26. Author Biography
  27. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit
  • Author(s): Rebecca Pride
  • Release date: July 2018
  • Publisher(s): Focal Press
  • ISBN: 9781317294726