Is there really no business like it? Is that a good thing?
April 4, 2008 4:38 PM
What can you tell me about working in theatrical costume in NYC?
I majored in costume design in college, and worked in regional and college costume shops from age 14 through the end of college, when I decided that I didn't want to deal with unsteady work and theatre egos, so I went to grad school.
But it's unclear whether my Plan B is going to work out any better, so I'm taking inventory of my skills and options, just in case. I'm not necessarily passionate about theatre (which seems like it might be a requirement for putting up with it), but I did like a lot of elements of the work I did in college.
I'm curious about the real world of theatrical costume, beyond my limited experience. I'm particularly interested in finding out about the New York City job market, since that's where I'm located now and I've already got an idea of the regional theatre scene. Any MeFites working in the field, or know anyone who is, and have any tips?
(Possibly relevant: I have solid construction skills, and with a refresher course or two I could get up to snuff in patternmaking. I'm not particularly interested in design.)
-Where do people find out about job openings? Most of the theatre job boards I've seen have had minimal costume content. Where do costume houses advertise vacancies?
-I have one acquaintance who used to work in a costume house and absolutely hated it. Is that as epidemic as it sounds from talking to her?
-Obviously this isn't the kind of work people go into for the money, but is it possible to do it and survive in NYC?
-Any other thoughts? Resources for finding out more? It seems like all the "Theatre Jobs" websites I've ever seen are sketchy and outdated.
I majored in costume design in college, and worked in regional and college costume shops from age 14 through the end of college, when I decided that I didn't want to deal with unsteady work and theatre egos, so I went to grad school.
But it's unclear whether my Plan B is going to work out any better, so I'm taking inventory of my skills and options, just in case. I'm not necessarily passionate about theatre (which seems like it might be a requirement for putting up with it), but I did like a lot of elements of the work I did in college.
I'm curious about the real world of theatrical costume, beyond my limited experience. I'm particularly interested in finding out about the New York City job market, since that's where I'm located now and I've already got an idea of the regional theatre scene. Any MeFites working in the field, or know anyone who is, and have any tips?
(Possibly relevant: I have solid construction skills, and with a refresher course or two I could get up to snuff in patternmaking. I'm not particularly interested in design.)
-Where do people find out about job openings? Most of the theatre job boards I've seen have had minimal costume content. Where do costume houses advertise vacancies?
-I have one acquaintance who used to work in a costume house and absolutely hated it. Is that as epidemic as it sounds from talking to her?
-Obviously this isn't the kind of work people go into for the money, but is it possible to do it and survive in NYC?
-Any other thoughts? Resources for finding out more? It seems like all the "Theatre Jobs" websites I've ever seen are sketchy and outdated.
This thread is closed to new comments.
Not everyone in theatre is actually there out of the goodness of their hearts. There are plenty of people in the commercial theatre and entertainment world who are there for the money and because they like aspects of their jobs-especially people on the fabrication end. I have friends who don’t care if their work is for Macbeth or Kiss Me Kate, so long as the hydraulics/millenary/carpentry is awesome. There’s no shame in it, you just don’t typically find that kind of attitude in the downtown scene. Also, the money isn’t as bad as it’s made out to be, especially if you have a special skill- construction and patternmaking are good, but there are many good stitchers out there and the more unusual talents you have, the more in demand you’ll become. There’s good money to be made if you can bead, make puppets, hats, corsets, etc. and plenty of people make a living that way without a day job.
As for getting jobs, the key to the NYC scene is word of mouth. If a job gets posted somewhere, it means that they’re probably having trouble filling the position for any number of potentially horrifying reasons. Everybody really does know everybody and you’ll start getting good work once you know people and they get to know you and your work. Judging from what you’ve posted, it sounds like the big costume houses and Broadway might be a little overwhelming. Maybe a better way to go would be to get a job at a smaller academic shop (like at NYU, Columbia, or Julliard). They’re still professional, but you could meet people and explore your options for a few months.
All this being said though, a certain degree of instability and egotistical behavior come with the territory. If you’re interested in shop work, the instability may fade with time, but where there are clothes, there are egos.
posted by Thin Lizzy at 9:05 AM on April 5, 2008