Wardrobe Supplies for Community Theater

I’ve worked with small and community theaters for almost 15 years– as an actor, a costumer, and in promotion.  Though the theater I work with now is considered a professional theater, we have some of the same challenges as a community theater: small space, even smaller dressing rooms, microscopic budget and limited access.  We don’t have custom-sewn costumes for each character like you do in a big-budget regional theater or Broadway, but we still have our tips and tricks to make sure our actors look and feel great in their costumes.

1.Fusibles: Most of my costume sourcing happens at Goodwill, nothing is ever perfect, and I often don’t have time to sew. My first line of defense is always Stitch Witchery.  I can easily take up hems, shorten sleeves, and even do some ninja-style alterations with this stuff.  I’ve even dragged it out of the dressing room and onto the stage for emergency curtain hemming.  I can’t live without it.

2. Sewing Kits: As there are other groups that use the theater space we own, things often disappear out of the costume room.  I always budget for a few sewing kits for backstage emergencies.  If one disappears, it’s not too much money out of my budget, and it has all of the essentials.  I also make sure to stock safety pins in multiple sizes in the kit– just in case.

3. Gaffer tape and sharpies: I use these constantly, whether I’m taping off a prop table (which often ends up as part of my responsibilities, being in charge of the dressing and backstage area– ah, small theaters), using tape and sharpies to mark names on hangers for organization, taping a hem in an emergency, or covering up a scuff on a shoe with the Sharpie, they live in my backstage kit.

4. Clothing deodorizer: when drycleaning isn’t in your budget between performances, and you don’t have a laundry at hand, you use a lot of Febreze.  Sure, some items I can trust the cast to wash themselves, but for some I simply spray with Febreze if the fabric permits and let dry.  I also squirt it in shoes once the actors have left for the night.  Especially when you have a large cast squeezed into tight backstage quarters, it’s a must-have. If the smell of Febreze turns you off, I found a great product that is used by Broadway wardrobe departments.  Emro does not mask, cover-up or add perfume to your costume. It is fragrance free and non hazardous. Just use it the same way you would use Febreze.

5. Travel Steamers: I don’t have a lot of room to iron, or even set up an ironing board, but clothing often gets wrinkled between quick-changes and just regular wear.  I always have a travel steamer handy to coax out the wrinkles and give the actors a polished appearance quickly, easily, and without taking up a ton of space backstage.

You can grab these and other must-have items at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply.

What’s your must-have backstage at a small theater?