David Covach, Costume Shop Manager of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, shared the process of bringing a costume from a sketch to a finished stage-ready garment.
First, the director and designers from every aspect of theater: costume, lighting, sound, projections, props, hair and makeup, read through the script. Then sketches or storyboards are created to convey how the show will look and feel. Brainstorming begins on how to facilitate every costume in the show.
The costume patterns are created by talented drapers who look at a sketch and set of measurements to figure out how to make a garment fit the body. Once the pattern is completed, a prototype or mock-up of the garment is made.
Generally, there are three fittings with actors. The first meeting fine tunes the pattern with the actor and designer together. The mock-up is pinned, drawn on and manipulated until it is shaped the way the designer feels best fits the look and feel of the production.
A second fitting is conducted once the garment is remade in fashion fabrics. At this point the garment doesn't have all its closures or hems and is still easily changed or altered if needed.
By the third fitting it is a finished, real garment with all the accessories. It's a time-consuming process with great attention to detail.
“When the actor puts on the costume, you begin to watch their posture change, and the attitude come out as they begin to understand the character and designer's point of view. It's sort of magical, actually,” David says.
“After a show, everything goes back into storage so costumes can be reused at another time.” David continues. “We also rent costumes which allows other theatres from across the country to use entire costume packages from our productions.”
The Asolo also creates props on-site, provides educational opportunities and has rental space available for the community.
For show times, to volunteer or donate, visit: www.asolorep.org