Within your theatre, the sets and costumes you showcase help bring the art to life. Unfortunately, these elements can sometimes be one of the most expensive parts of your creative process.
If you’re trying to stretch your budget but don’t want to sacrifice the quality and appearance of your set and costumes, there are ways to balance your spending while still producing great results. On The Stage offers some cost-saving measures to help.
When planning your set and costume design, consider thinking outside the box on what materials you’re using. For example, try using gently used vintage curtains instead of heading to the craft store to buy expensive, brand-new fabric for a Regency-era dress.
Bed sheets are another affordable material that can be utilized in several different ways. Other materials like cardboard, foam, cotton, rayon, and mesh can also help bring set pieces, props, and costumes to life.
If you aren’t familiar with the term ‘upcycling,’ it means you’re reusing materials to create a higher quality product than the original item. (Think: tearing up old jeans and using the denim to make a fancy vest.)
Upcycling has many benefits, including its cost-saving measures, but it also allows your costume department to stretch its creative muscles. Ask your cast and crew to bring in unwanted clothing and other fabrics, and then let your creative minds play! You can turn old t-shirts into skirts or dresses, sew different fabric pieces together to form a larger backdrop, or even utilize scarves and other headwear to create a period-appropriate headpiece. Don’t forget to add embellishments and other fun details to make the pieces unique.
One of the most obvious ways to save money on your costumes and props is by eschewing the purchasing process. That’s right – DIY projects are doable for anyone. All you need is a sewing machine, some glue, and the right attitude!
Much like the upcycling process, DIY projects are a great way to raise team morale, engage other community members, and learn new skills along the way.
Use affordable materials – like cardboard, bed sheets, fabric, and paint, to create one-of-a-kind set pieces and costumes. Experiment with fabrics, textures, and colors to find the best solution for your show. The possibilities are endless!
One thing to remember in the world of theatre is that 99% of costumes and props do not have the lifespan of a singular show. You can rework costumes, reupholster furniture, and repaint props to transform them into something else.
So, head to your prop and costume closets and really examine the existing items you have now. Could the lamps be repainted and given a new shade to reflect the new set? Could a vintage dress be utilized again with a different fabric or a chop? Make sure you’re not sticking your items into a singular box – there are ways to get creative and re-use what you already have!
If you’ve exhausted your DIY efforts but still want to save money when purchasing, why not hit up local thrift stores in your area? They are often treasure troves of vintage and current finds – you just have to be willing to put in the time to find the prize.
Hats, dresses, accessories, shoes, bags – thrift stores will have them all. Remember to come in with an open mind – a man’s shirt should become a woman’s dress, a purse can be painted – you just have to use your imagination.
Say you find something great at the thrift store, but it’s missing that oomph. Adding accessories to a purchased piece is a nice compromise between purchasing new items and creating something from scratch. Attaching little pieces of flair can take a costume to the next level.
You can try layering – like adding lace overlay or mixing textures or fabrics. Consider statement pieces, like period-specific necklaces, belts, hats, or ties. Or you can add specific embellishments to purchased items to really make them pop – try sequins, gems, or ribbons – whatever makes sense for that character!
The excellent part about having a built-in network of theatre professionals is that you have a community that can help you when needed. Consider posting online about items you need – whether they are materials to build your set, pieces of fabric for a costume, or even just manpower to pull things together.
Chances are, someone within your theatre community will have what you’re looking for. And even if someone in your network doesn’t have it, they probably know someone who does!
Remember that if you’re borrowing from your kind neighbors and friends, treating the materials with respect is extra important. Additionally, offer a give-and-take in which these generous community partners can benefit too. Creating win-win situations helps to foster strong relationships that lend themselves to success down the line.
Lumber isn’t cheap, and if you’re attempting to create an elaborate set, you’ll likely need a lot. Your first effort, of course, can be to reuse lumber from previous sets. But if that doesn’t work, or if you just need more, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Consider asking local businesses in your area, alongside hardware stores, paint stores, and others like it. If applicable, emphasize that their donation could be tax deductible, too. To say thank you, give these businesses free ad space in your show program or make them an official theatre sponsor.
While this may not be a money-saving measure, it’s certainly an Earth-saving one. Unless you have an elaborate in-house costume department that makes every piece by hand, you probably have to buy some of your costumes. That’s A-OK!
That said, purchasing from fast-fashion websites that offer cheap rates may be tempting. The downsides, however, are vast. Not only are these costumes cheaply made – meaning they won’t last you more than one show if that – they are often made by low-paid workers in unsafe working conditions. Avoid contributing to this inherently wasteful industry and buy local, visit thrift stores, borrow, rent – whatever you can do!
Renting your costumes is a great idea, especially if the pieces are elaborate and you likely won’t be able to utilize them again.
A variety of reputable companies rent out theatre costumes to companies around the world – whether you’re an educational theatre, community theatre, or professional theatre. Making the economical choice to rent instead of buy takes a lot of the stress work off your hands and gives you a sustainable and cheaper alternative.
Staying within budget while selling tickets, marketing your content, hiring the right people, and making great art can be tough. Luckily, One The Stage (OTS) can help. Discover the all-in-one ticketing software built for performing arts & theatre management, which empowers thousands of organizations with ticketing, box office, marketing, fundraising, and reporting tools in one robust platform – for free.
OTS combines a fully integrated suite of tools and resources for theatre and the performing arts with everything needed to control your own operational and financial management, letting you focus on making great art. If you’re ready to elevate your theatre, book a personalized demo with OTS today.