A History of the Theatre Costume Business

Creators of Character

Triffin I. Morris, Gregory DL Morris, Rachel E. Pollock

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781351052320
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Médias et arts de la scène
• Subtopic: Théâtre

A History of the Theatre Costume Business is the first-ever comprehensive book on the subject, as related by award-winning actors and designers, and first hand by the drapers, tailors, and craftspeople who make the clothes that dazzle on stage.

Readers will learn why stage clothes are made today, by whom, and how. They will also learn how today's shops and ateliers arose from the shops and makers who founded the business. This never-before-told story shows that there is as much drama behind the scenes as there is in the performance: famous actors relate their intimate experiences in the fitting room, the glories of gorgeous costumes, and the mortification when things go wrong, while the costume makers explain how famous shows were created with toil, tears, and sweat, and sometimes even a little blood. This is history told by the people who were present at the creation – some of whom are no longer around to tell their own story.

Based on original research and first-hand reporting, A History of the Theatre Costume Business is written for theatre professionals: actors, directors, producers, costume makers, and designers. It is also an excellent resource for all theatregoers who have marveled at the gorgeous dresses and fanciful costumes that create the magic on stage, as well as for the next generation of drapers and designers.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• An Invitation
• Notes on Terminology
• Introduction: How Costumes Have Saved Choreography and Created Characters
• Chapter 1 Orientation: How Costumes Became a Business, and How it Works
• Chapter 2 A Stitch in Time: The Early Designer-Drapers
• Chapter 3 Thread and Circuses: The Rise and Fall of the Big Rental Shops
• Chapter 4 The Coming of the Continentals: Lighter Hands for Ballet and Opera
• Chapter 5 Broadway as a Business: The Syndicate, the Shuberts, and the Unions
• Chapter 6 The British Invasion: The Legacy of Ray Diffen
• Chapter 7 A Leading Lady Herself: Barbara Matera
• Chapter 8 Nights (and Weekends) on Broadway: The Current Commercial Shops
• Chapter 9 Thoroughly Modern Milliners and Makers: The Modern Atelier System
• Chapter 10 Angel Wings and Dancing Candlesticks: Craft and Specialty Shops
• Chapter 11 Tinkers and Tailors: Old Machines Soldier On and Can be Spied in New Shops
• Chapter 12 West of 12th Avenue: Commercial Shops Across North America
• Appendix A: Timeline of Broadway Shops with Landmark Shows
• Appendix B: Award-Winning Broadway Shows and Shops
• Bibliography
• Index