$20 an actor?

It occurs to me that this costume budget is the size I was used to at the Rose. Assuming I had a room full of fabric, a costume rental department that I could plunder at will, boxes and boxes of trim, and all the patterns, shoes, and notions you could wish for. This design is turning into less of 'what can I afford' to 'what am I willing to design to have for myself.' I think I'll have to invest in full bolts of gauze and/or lawn so what I use for this build is affordable. I had another project or two for which it was needed, so I can start to justify it. The main black overcoat will have to be a personal project, or else it will never look as good as I want it to. I had an awesome idea for the women's shoes, but two of the actresses would have to also have a lolita/westwood fetish to want to buy their own pair.

Anyway, I started to put together an excel document of items, starting with shoes, that if anyone already has, can find at a thrift store, or is willing to buy for themselves, will make my life easier. Pictures and sizes and names. I'm going to share it with anyone I know who goes to thrift stores regularly. It's also going to be my way to slowly leak my costume ideas to everyone, including Kevin. So if anyone has a different idea about something I post up, tell me quickly.

I spent the last 36 hours mostly sleeping. I thought it was just my narcolepsy, but then my throat started hurting, and the nose filled up. I just got over being sick a few weeks ago! But that's always been my lot in life, coming down with anything that comes along. So I gave up on my regular wakey wakey rx, and did what I had to to get the design for the black coat done for the Rev so he could get started. It's going to be a picky piece for him, knowing how much he loves a good dramatic black coat; if it wasn't needed for the photoshoot, I would have used Sherri's trick and given it to him at the end of the build.

So, the prospect of 'legitimate theater' has lured me in to obsessing over this new project. Possibly actually reviewed? Really? There are plans to incorporate our costume shop into a real company, but we started out collaborating on spankcandy costumes, then derby uniforms, then burlesque outfits. While I'm absolutely sure that there's decent money to be made with the right business plan with any of these, this is a chance to do the conceptual work that is an artist's dream. Kevin let me in on this project, and I don't want to let it just pass by without making a (positive) mark on it. I treasure my awards and reviews. I don't do the work for them, but I was raised to treasure a cheap printed ribbon for artistic glory. There's no judging table out there for the person that makes the sexiest outfit for a size 14 girl.

I want to show everyone what I'm capable of. I love designing. The other day, I got sidetracked and drew up a rockabilly line in an hour. So I'm going to make this good. I'm going to make it me. And If Kevin likes what I'm going to give him, bonus. It's funny how I can spend time around so many different people, and they all say the same thing around strangers. 'Pope doesn't do anything half-assed.'

This show is about folk costumes and angst up the wootwoot. I can do grief. I can do alienation. And I can definitely do a folk costume. I am my mother's daughter. I just worry that the wardrobe will be considered an afterthought in the conceptual process. To me, there is no part of the acting and tech evolution of a play without the costumes. How does one move or dance? Do you know what your character's clothes says about them? How are you going to light a monochrome, multi-textured item that has to be blown to the sky? How much music do you need between scenes to cover the changes? I've been a part of every aspect of theater except lighting unless totally necessary. Costumes will never be anything but the main pivot point to me.

And what kind of laundry do those girls have to hang up?

Right. Well. It's after 5am. I think I'll snot some more, try to make one or two more sketches, fill out another column in my costume want list, and attempt to not rue my blathering.