Redefining the Role of Costume Shop Manager: Advocating for Creatives in Theatre

As a Costume Shop Manager in theatre, I found myself not only managing costumes but also advocating for a space that supports creative expression, inclusivity, and mutual respect. The role of a costume designer often gets reduced to mere "shopping," but costuming requires a delicate balance of artistry, psychology, and storytelling, especially when working so closely with performers.

One of the most unique aspects of costuming is the relationship between the designer and the performer. Aside from the audio team member applying microphones, no one else in production works as closely with the performer as we do. This makes creating a safe, comfortable, and collaborative environment in the costume shop all the more crucial.

Building a Collaborative, Safe Environment

To foster a creative space where performers felt comfortable, I made a few key changes. The first was building a COVID-compliant, flexible fitting space. The original fitting room was small, dimly lit, and allowed for only two people at a time. To transform it, I installed floating bars and added curtains, creating a spacious, private area with racks, chairs, and even extra protection from the cold floor.

Another initiative was introducing an “Intimacy Zone” dry erase indicator in the fitting space. This allowed performers to mark areas of their body they wanted to be treated with special care, providing them a way to advocate for their own boundaries before the fitting process even began. These small but meaningful changes helped to build trust and ensure that all performers felt safe and respected during fittings.

Optimizing the Space for Creativity and Function

In addition to fostering a comfortable atmosphere, I worked to optimize the costume shop’s physical space. I installed a clothing rack and shelf built into the wall for easier access to costumes, improving organization and efficiency. I also added a corkboard to display costume renderings, design information, and costume plots, helping to keep the visual goals for each show front and center for the team.

To support the wardrobe team, I ensured that the space was equipped with the right materials and machinery for altering and caring for costumes. Recognizing the environmental impact of dry cleaning, I switched to an eco-friendly local dry cleaner or handled the work in-house using Dryell, making a small but meaningful shift toward sustainability.

Another significant improvement was creating an editable PDF measurement sheet. This allowed for easy updates without needing to print new copies, helping reduce paper waste. It also provided flexibility for performers, acknowledging that bodies and measurements can change over time. The ability to easily edit this information without drawing attention to personal changes ensured that everyone could feel at ease in the process, without making anyone’s body or space a bigger issue.

Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity

In my role, I also worked to create an inclusive atmosphere beyond the shop itself. I renamed spaces for clarity and to limit gender and hierarchical specifications, fostering a more inclusive and egalitarian environment. I advocated for representation in artistry, making sure that clothing items purchased for the productions reflected the diversity of our performers and the characters they portrayed.

Another small but important change was introducing a whiteboard season calendar. This helped the team stay on track, especially when multiple shows overlapped. I also invested in a wider variety of mannequin sizes, making sure that every performer’s body could be represented in our fitting process.

Conclusion

Being a Costume Shop Manager is about more than managing costumes—it's about advocating for a creative environment where performers can feel respected, valued, and inspired. Through thoughtful changes to the space, the process, and the culture, I worked to make the costume shop a better, more supportive space for the entire theatre community