Guidelines and Responsibilities for Running Crew Assignments

Costumes

Crew Run Through and Crew Introductions:

• Please see GENERAL notes for clarification of requirements.
• Meet wardrobe supervisor, costume designer, stage management team, cast, and other crew members
• Observe the play as a whole, paying close attention to the actors’ entrances and exits and when they change clothes or (especially) change character
• Talk with the wardrobe supervisor about what to expect the next day
  

During tech / dress process:

• Arrive on time for your calls, ready to work.
• Familiarize yourself with your running position (this may be a particular location backstage, or you may need to travel a large area)
• Set up dressing rooms and presets as guided by supervisor (it is not always necessary to set a whole show; the director and stage manager may have decided only to do a certain amount of the show that night)
• Understand the wardrobe supervisor’s running chart
• Create running list on 3x5” cards. Include each step taken, i.e.,
  - Each change: where, when, and with whom
  - Which pieces it includes
  - Cue line from show script
• Remain accessible at all times when you are not specifically given a break. You should be ready to run on stage and pin up a hem, or answer an actor’s question, or refer them to the wardrobe supervisor if you don’t know the answer.
• By theatre, this means: in the Weiss, you should be in the area near the elevator off stage right. In the Forum, be in the immediate area of the dressing rooms or in the hallway off right. In the Forum Studio, be in the Studio building in whatever the backstage area happens to be, or off left in the area near the stage management office (this theatre’s configuration changes frequently). In Galbraith Hall, be in the backstage area within the theatre—off stage right keeps you closest to the dressing rooms and wardrobe supplies room.
• Your location can be changed by either the wardrobe supervisor or the stage manager; if one asks you to relocate, be sure the other knows where you’ve gone and why so no one finds you suddenly and mysteriously missing.

Attire:

• Generally, crew who work backstage wear “blacks”, a generic term for black clothing. This can be coveralls or other pieces required in the design of the show, which would be provided for you, or:
  - Black full-length pants
  - Long-sleeved black shirt (if you’re not seen on stage, may have dark logo or printing)
  - Dark socks
  - Dark, non-marking, close-toed shoes (sneakers, rubber-soled boots or similar)
  - Your shoes must have low heels, closed toes and full backs (no high heels or mules or slides of any height)

Each performance:

• At call time, and finished by 1/2 hour:
  - Turn on iron (and steamer, if needed
  - Check dryer and restart if necessary
  - Distribute clean laundry
  - Ironing and steaming
  - Check-in
  - Backstage presets
  - Set up first change
• During 1/2 hour:
  - Help actors with wigs and hair
  - Help actors into costumes
  - Be available to help with any problems (not outside smoking or in green room or house)
• At places call:
  - Check actors to make sure they’re outfitted appropriately
  - Go to location of first change
  - Run show!
  - Any chance you get, check actors before they go on stage to be sure they’re properly buttoned and primped. This is not an easy task!! You must do this without taking a toll on their concentration
• After show:
  - Strike any costumes left backstage
  - Help actors out of wigs, corsets, dresses, et
  - Collect laundry and start washers
  - Spray deodorant spray in pits of dry clean only items
  - Check actor notes and do any you can
  - Straighten rack and re-hang pants, coats, and delicate items
  - Put wigs carefully on head blocks, do any necessary primping
  - Organize for next show
  - Push in chairs
  - Put away shoes, hats, etc
  - Check collars for makeup, pieces for rips, loose buttons, etc
  - Spot clean
  - Iron anything that needs it
  - Put laundry in dryer
  - Hang up items that can’t go in dryer
  - Go home J- when released by supervisor

Photo call:

• Remain available to change actors into different looks, knowing that the order of photos is often the reverse of the run of the show. The photo call list should be posted on the callboard before the evening run. Ask the supervisor or stage manager if the information is unclear.

Strike:

• Departmental rules require you stay for 2 hours past the final performance to participate in strike. Your duties may include doing laundry, cleaning the dressing rooms, restocking clothing or supplies, or other duties as assigned by the wardrobe supervisor. Either the costume designer or assistant costume designer may then supervise you. Only the wardrobe supervisor, in consultation with the stage manager, may release you.

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