COSTUME AND MAKEUP

Welcome to Costuming at LW!

We know that costuming can be a stressful thing for folks, so we put together a little information sheet to help folks navigate their way through the process!

We are very lucky to have costume designer and coordinator, Karee Oliver, working with us. Karee has been with LW Theatre since 2016 and has been costuming even longer at Kirkland Middle School. She’s wildly humble, but has been nominated for multiple costuming awards over the years and has a great eye for stage looks. She has three wonderful sons- all actors- who she loves and supports on stage.

Background Info: In the professional world, costuming is pretty separated from actors until the last moment. Your measurements are taken, then you have a fitting, and you receive your costume. No one asks if you like what you’re wearing: you simply take what is given to you. The only comment you are expected or allowed to make is whether your costume poses a safety hazard (like slipping) or prevents you from being able to do your job (too tight for certain dance moves). The costumer is completely in charge of deciding, with the creative staff, what your character would or would not wear. Our primary objective is to tell the story, not necessarily to make everyone look pretty (in fact, sometimes that works against the story!)

At LW: Karee likes students to be involved in choosing their own costumes if they would like to be. She loves hearing about students creating their characters and helping them bring their vision and the director’s vision to life in a big collaboration! However, this is a HUGE luxury and is tied directly to time and availability. We also recognize that costuming is something not everyone wants to participate in, so you can always say, “I would like to just have something given to me that fits and is usable!”

Scheduling: Throughout the rehearsal process, Karee will reach out to actors to make appointments with her to come in and try on costumes. The student may choose their own time or may request that Karee assign them a time to come in. If you do not choose your own time or request that Karee assigns you a time, then you are holding up your own costuming process, limiting your ability to participate in choice of costume. In this situation, you may end up being handed a costume you don’t like the look of, without an option to change it.

Important Policies

If a costume prevents you from being able to play your part or from doing so safely, do not perform in it. Tell a costume lead immediately.
We want to make sure costuming is a positive experience. Sometimes it’s necessary for costumers to get quite close during fittings. Please let them know if you need extra space/time, or prefer not to be touched.
Eating in costume is against the rules. If you must, cover your costume with a blanket, towel, or your own shirt, and don’t eat anything wet, saucy, or that could drip.
Eating is not allowed in the green room or dressing rooms. You can only eat in the back hallway.
Shower daily and use deodorant, but please don’t use cologne/perfume or scented products.
When you are done with your costume for the day, please hang it neatly on a hanger or fold it neatly in your purple bag.
If you are not using a costume piece, bring it back to Karee. Do not leave it in the dressing room.
Do not cut, sew, or pin your costume without assistance and approval from a costume lead.
You are responsible for your own undergarments including but not limited to underwear, socks, tank tops, spanks, camisoles, tights/nylons, etc.

Helpful Hints/Tips

Character Shoes

If you plan on continuing with theater, you should get a good pair of character shoes! Masculine character shoes are significantly more expensive, and often regular dress shoes will be okay.

For Feminine Characters: Black or Nude 1.5-2in Heels

-local dance shops

-discountdance.com ($33 as of 2/2023)

-these can be used for any time period as nice footwear

-other styles available, but these are the most versatile

-made to be danced in/secure

-Alternative: plain black or nude pumps, but this is not ideal

For Masculine Characters: Black Ballroom Shoes

-local dance shops

-discountdance.com ($70 as of 2/2023)

-these can be used for any time period as nice footwear

-other styles available, but these are the most versatile

-made to be danced in/secure

-Alternative: men’s dress shoes are fine, but may be harder to dance in

Make Up

All students will need stage make up for performances.

Everyone Needs:

-liquid or cake foundation in your skin tone

-translucent setting powder

-blush

-black or brown mascara

-black or brown eyeliner

(Male identifying characters- use brown eyeliner and mascara unless your hair is black)

(Female identifying characters- you may use black if your character would be “made up” for example,

as a Delta Nu or well-groomed law student)

Feminine Characters Need:

-Natural lip color or character specific lip color

Masculine Characters Need:

-Basic natural lip color

Ben Nye’s Student Theatrical Crème Kit ($26.00) Is a good place to start.

https://stagemakeuponline.com/products/ben-nye-personal-creme-kit

Includes foundation, powder, highlight, shadow, eyeliner, two lip colors (one can double as cream blush), powder puff, brush, and stippling sponge.