Costume Quick Changes
Introduction
Costume quick changes are a staple in big, splashy Broadway productions. There are several types of quick changes, and for different purposes. Does an actor quickly exit the stage, where they are greeted by a team that helps them change the whole costume? Or is it a sudden, almost magical switch in full view of the audience?
Quick changes rely on several factors, from the skill and coordination of the actor and dressers, to the construction of the garments by the wardrobe department, to any special effects (lights or fog) that happen onstage. This guide will provide an overview of the types of costume quick changes that happen in theatre, and offer tips on how to make them successful.
Terminology
- Base Costume: The under- or modesty garments that an actor wears under their costume pieces.
- Dresser: A person backstage who helps the actor through a quick change.
- Tear-away: A costume that is designed to be pulled away from the body, usually in multiple pieces, and often in full-view of the audience.
- Wardrobe: The team of designers and costume construction crew that creates the costumes.
Context & Analysis
Textual Analysis
In the initial design process, the costume designer carefully reads the script to understand both costume requirements and how the garments should be constructed. Often, no matter the type of quick change, a designer will consider the final product and what the costume should look like. Then, they’ll work backwards: What does a costume have to do
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Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress