On my last production at Capilano University I worked as a Coordinator for their remount of the original 1970’s Broadway show called “A Chorus Line”. My job was to organize and create the paperwork for the show while coordinating with stage management. Attend fittings to take notes, organize fittings, attend production meetings, and keep the bible/ e-bible updated for coworkers.
Unfortunately the show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 out breck in Vancouver and the closer of all schools and theatres.
Tasks Worked On:
As a Coordinator, I worked on maintaining the bible and the e-bible by uploading fittings photos, adding in fittings notes, making and scanning in documents. The majority of my job was emailing with stage management and other departments to organize fittings and gain necessary information for the wardrobe department. Petty cash was one of the big things I oversaw during prep, it was a big learning curve for me due to my lack of experience on this task. I also worked on prepping all the women’s vests for out of shop to contractors. At the end of the prep, I worked as a Stitcher for the final push before the dress rehearsal. I altered a women’s vest pattern for four actors and cut all the vest lining fronts for all the women’s vests. I then worked on the men’s pants, helping through the whole construction prosses. I completed about 5 fly fronts, multiple side seam sequence insertion, and facing sewing.
Learning from Observing Coworkers:
From observing the shop and talking to my coworkers, I find out about there troubles and solutions. One thing I saw was that it was very hard to keep track of patterns and who is on what pattern. It seemed like a constant struggle until the final fabric was cut. This was a good opportunity to observe as an outsider what worked and what didn’t for them. Another thing I learned was how others think when it comes to pattern drafting. As someone that wants to be focusing my career in the Cutting world, it was interesting to see people who were not as used to cutting cut. To see how the comprehended a task and think differently about a project than I would have.
Learning from Fittings:
In fittings, though I didn’t attend a lot of them in the end, were very educational to sit through. I was learning about working around a mic pack, fitting pants, and use the colour system for each actor’s alteration marking. They also introduced us to costuming for dance a lot more. Making sure there is movement for dancing and that the costume is strong enough to withstand the stress. The importance of fitting photos was another big subject and learning curve for me. Without the photo’s lots of questions were not able to be answered taking more time than necessary.
Key Experiences and Skills I will Take:
This semester has been a new experience for me, it was very different being a Coordinator. It has been full of new skills like organizing petty cash and the use of the e-bible. I learned so much about communication in the production, wither it be with stage management or within the wardrobe department. This skill will be very useful for working in the field for contacting people and organizing other wardrobe related items. The skills I learned making the men’s pants are going to be very useful. I was concerned about sewing the fly’s but now I feel a lot more confident in sewing them after doing it five times.
Conclusion of Two-Year Experience in THTR:
Working on five shows over these two years was an amazing and educational experience. I have learned everything I know now about the theatre. How to work within the wardrobe department, and all the jobs in production from props to backstage crew. All of my cutting and construction skills have been magnified by the experience this course has given me. Increasing my speed, learning how to alter garments properly, how to fit garments, and the confidence to say that I can take on a big project. All of my teachers have helped me to grow my skills in different areas, giving me strong knowledge and skill for going into the workforce. I am so grateful for these amazing two years of learning that has helped me figure out my place within the costume world.