We are so lucky to have Linda Muggeridge of Many Hatz Costumes as our costumer. She has decades of experience working in the industry & brings such caring, artistry, & expertise to every show.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP BACKSTAGE

COSTUMES, HAIR & MAKEUP

What & How to Prepare for Your Rehearsals & Shows

COSTUMES

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HAIR

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MAKEUP

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CREATING CHARACTERS

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COSTUMES ✳︎ HAIR ✳︎ MAKEUP ✳︎ CREATING CHARACTERS ✳︎

YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE YOUR OWN:

Tops & Bottoms:

Bring to Dress Rehearsal

All students will be in shared spaces for changing costumes (boys & girls will technically have separate rooms, but there is a lot of mixing). Undergarments are required to provide privacy and a layer between the body and the costumes to protect both. Your undergarments should be okay for anyone to see if they are coming and going in the dressing areas. Snug fit is best, avoid baggy.

Tops should be skin-colored leotards, snug camisoles, tank tops, or undershirts.

Bottoms should be bike shorts, compression shorts, tights and/or socks in colors that blend with the costume or can be hidden easily.

Students may choose for their comfort level of modesty.

Dance Shoes

Black Jazz Shoes:

Bring by 3rd Week of Rehearsal

Everyone should be wearing their own jazz shoes during rehearsals. These can be found at dance supply stores or via many websites. They come either with elastic inserts or with laces, for both girls and boys. Please purchase what works for you. Ms. Palmer also has a collection of used jazz shoes that you can borrow, but sizes might be limited.

There will be many, many pairs of black jazz shoes amongst all the cast; the only way to keep track is to LABEL THEM. Write your name or initials in Sharpie or ballpoint pen inside your shoe. Do not wear or take other people’s shoes.

If you have a costume change that happens backstage, make sure to recollect all your shoes and costume parts after every show and put them back in your basket/bag.

Undergarments

Prepare Early & Bring to

Hair & Makeup Masterclass

Every cast member needs to have his/her/their own makeup; we do not share for sanitary reasons. You are welcome to put together your supplies from any source, but you could also try out a kit like this one (choose the closest skin tone to match yours).

  • Plastic container with a tight lid, makeup box, or zipped bag LABELED WITH YOUR NAME ON IT.

  • Facial sponges

  • Foundation-crème in your skin tone or one shade darker

  • Powder to set foundation (translucent)

  • Blush/rouge (boys: natural color; girls: depends on skin color, costume and personal preference)

  • Lipstick: should be compatible with rouge (boys: natural color rouge; girls: rouge depends on skin color, costume)

  • Eyeliner: cake, liquid, or pencil (boys: brown only)

  • Makeup removing wipes

  • Q-tips

  • Blotting paper

  • Mascara

  • Eye shadow (neutral)

  • FOR CHARACTER EFFECTS, ask Ms. O and Ms. Z

Hair Kit

Prepare Early & Bring to

Hair & Makeup Masterclass

In general, hair should be secured away from the face, so that the actor’s expressions can be seen. Hair that hangs down on the sides can cast shadows and obscure the face. Hair can be worn long with the front secured back, or all up and away in a ponytail or other style, depending on the time period and setting of the play. 

Some musicals will take place in eras that have distinct hairstyles. Do some research to see what those might be. As a part of pre-production, students and parents will have an opportunity to learn from an expert how to do hairstyles that are appropriate for the characters. 

  • Plastic container with a tight lid, makeup box, or zipped bag LABELED WITH YOUR NAME ON IT

  • Hair brush

  • Comb

  • Ponytail holders (thick for thick hair, thin for thin hair)

  • Bobby pins (small for fine hair, medium/large for thick hair)

  • Hair spray

  • Hair gel

  • Water spray bottle

Makeup Kit

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS:

HYGIENE & HEALTH

Performers will be spending a lot of time in close quarters during the run of the show. This is a great time to practice good hygiene and health. We do not have any understudies, so it’s imperative that you stay well!

  • Get as much rest as you can.

  • Wash your hands often.

  • Hydrate & snack (& throw away your food wrappers & drink containers).

  • Do not share drinks, makeup, hairbrushes, or hats.

  • Shower often out of respect for the costumes and your castmates. Costumes will not be cleaned between shows, so it is best that you arrive clean, smell nice, and wear your undergarments.

  • If you would like to go the extra mile, you could purchase and use disposable stick-on armpit protectors for your shirts.

Tools

OTHER


  • Stand-Up Travel Mirror

  • Safety pins for costume emergencies

  • Travel sewing kit

  • Small scissors

  • Bandaids

  • Deoderant

  • If you have any special accessories for your costume, such as headwear, make sure you have the fasteners you need to secure it properly to your body.

Personal Care

COME (& GO) PREPARED!

Before and after every show is when you need to stay focused. From your call time until 30 minutes after each show is all about being responsible and paying attention.

  • Whenever possible, do as much of your hair & makeup at home, or come extra early if you need help.

  • After every rehearsal and show, prep your items for next time. Clean up your area, put things away, help your fellow cast and crew.

  • If you are ready in full costume, hair & makeup, start warming up. You can do vocal warmups, stretch, go over your lines.

  • You should not be on your phone playing games. You should be mentally and creatively prepared to give the best performance you can!

  • Take care of the dressing areas, backstage, and wings. Throw garbage away immediately. Keep track of all your own items. 

Dress Rehearsal(s)

BRING & PRACTICE WITH ALL YOUR ITEMS

Dress rehearsals will be your only chance to experience the entire pace of the pre-show, show, & post-show experience. Treat it exactly like a real show. Only by doing so will you find out what works and what doesn’t, and what you need to fix.

  • Do your full hair & makeup. Start early, so you have enough time.

  • Wear your entire costume, all parts & accessories, for every time you are on stage.

  • Keep your hair & makeup items tidy, so you can find them. Put things away every time.

  • Return your costume to its hangers or bag every time. Every piece of your costume is your responsibility.

  • If something is torn, broken, or not working, tell a teacher or parent volunteer immediately; don’t wait until before the next show.

  • Ask for help if you need it!

Performances