“I would like to see theaters realize the inequity in pay and tech support for costume designers. I have worked in Chicago for over 25 years. Even in storefront theater, I have seen the set designer receive more support and more pay. Even if all the designers are paid the same the costume designer is expected to do the makeup and wigs, manage the budget, hire any costume assistance, shop the show, do all the alterations, build the show, pull rental costumes, come back for maintenance after the show opens. Meanwhile the set designer has someone to build the set and manage the build (technical director), paint the set (scenic artist), shop and acquire the props and furniture (prop designer). That being said, since costume designers are expected to do everything, they cannot stack jobs like other designer can, so they make less money. How do we change this? Producers and costume artists should know what it takes to realize a costume from the page to the stage.
Read More: Chicago theater artists on the changes they want to see