Costume Designer

The costume designer for a University Theatre production is responsible for the design of the total image of each character -garment, accessories, hair, and makeup. The designer must oversee the follow through of each required image from the two-dimensional sketch to the three-dimensional image onstage.

Duties and Responsibilities Before Construction and Assembly Period:

1. The costume designer is responsible for doing the following:

· background reading,

· research,

· preliminary sketches,

· color palette,

· final designs,

· fabric selection,

· rental feasibility.

2. Consult with director of your production at least one month before scheduled Blueprint meetings begin. Continue to meet with director and other designers outside of scheduled meetings to develop designs for the production.

3. Meet all design and production deadlines on your show-blueprint. If there are difficulties in doing so, see Resident Costume Designer.

4. See the Resident Costume Designer soon after first individual meeting with your director - the meeting one month before Blueprint begins. Keep in touch with Resident Costume Designer once a week until production designs approved.

5. After first set of preliminary sketches completed consult with Costume Technician on feasibility of show plans in terms of budget, labor and time limitations. Continue meeting with the Costume Technician concerning feasibility of design scheme and execution thereof as designs develop.

6. Final approval for designs must be obtained from Director and Resident Costume Designer and Costume Technician. Make sure you get the approvals of RCD and CT promptly

7. In consultation with Costume Technician, set up production concept meeting. Personnel to be included - Costume Technician, Teaching assistants in costume shop, work study involved in special projects, assistant designer, dyer, etc.

8. Auditions: Attend at least all call backs of your production. Note: tryouts for major playbill productions at beginning of each semester.

9. Familiarize yourself with all purchasing and budget recording procedures. See Costume Technician for blanket order sheet and general orientation.

10. For all actors in cast: pull measurements or make arrangements with Costume Technician for new measurements to be taken

11. Consult with Costume Technician for suitable fabric choices and yardage estimates.

12. Check out feasibility of stock items before buying fabric or making rental orders.

13. Purchase majority of fabric for production before construction period begins.

14. Price out rental items and determine ordering deadlines.

15. Meet with Costume Technician and cutter to determine cutting