Costume Design
The costume designer is in charge of designing and sourcing costumes for the actors. This involves studying the script, discussing the concept with the director and may involve historical research, mood boards, and sketches. The designer may have to consider period, colour schemes used by the other designers, movement requirement of the direction, and speed of costume changes when designing. Before sourcing costumes, the designer will need to take or collect measurements from the cast. When sourcing costumes, they might choose to buy new or used clothes, gather them from the personal wardrobes of the company, hire, or sew them depending on time scale and budget. A large-scale show with many costumes and changes will also need a wardrobe manager (often the designer) and dressers. This team of people are responsible for making sure the right costumes are in the right places before and during the shows, managing any repairs, and helping actors get changed quickly. For most student shows the costume designer may also be responsible for designing and co-ordinating hair and make-up.
Oxfordshire Drama Wardrobe
ODW are based in Steventon, Abingdon and are an affordable resource for good quality period costume. Browsing and collection must be within opening hours by appointment. The store is not accessible by public transport and they do not offer delivery, so transport costs can significantly increase the cost of hiring from them. Their volunteers have an excellent knowledge of their stock and of period costume so it is worthwhile emailing ahead a list of items you require so they may check the stock before you arrive. If you bring a programme from a previous show to have hired from them and credited them, you are entitled to a 10% discount.
National Theatre Costume and Props Hire
The National Theatre also has a costume and props store that can be hired from. They do not do delivery, so items must be picked up from their store in London. You can browse their stock in person and hire high quality items for competitive prices