SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2008
A Good Review from the Baltimore Sun!

So, Mary Carole McCauley of the Baltimore Sun may have picked an awful day to take in the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's fantastic (in my opinion) production of "The Comedy of Errors", what with the 100+ degree heat and searing sun, but luckily costumes don't usually wilt in the summertime. She writes in her June 11th column:

"...Well, at least Marilyn Johnson's costumes are worth looking at. She adorns her characters in a fruit-flavored palette of banana, kiwi and tangerine; the fuchsia and lime wigs worn by the two leading ladies are particularly fetching. Johnson also makes clever use of hoop skirts, in particular, to indicate that a slender actress is supposed to be round."

To their credit, the actors were laboring in said 100+ heat, so it's no wonder they were a little flat. However, I'm very glad my costumes made such a good, stand-out impression on Ms. McCauley. Thank you, Baltimore Sun!

Theatrical Productions:
Theaters have several levels of service to choose from depending on their needs and budgets.

Full Production Costuming Services:
For those theater productions that do not have a costume designer available, The Marilyn Johnson Studio Design Studio:
- Will work from your script to develop the costume plot and create the "bible"
- Research clothing within the time period and social status of your script
- Measure the cast
- Work with the director and cast to enhance the production and characters through their costumes
- Create, alter or modify costume pieces for the cast
- Use costumes in your closet, my closet or purchase/create
- Set up and break down the dressing room

The fees for Full Production Services vary depending on the script being produced and the number of actors in the cast.
........Costumes may be rented for the run of the show from The Marilyn Johnson Studio's Costume Closet and are billed separately.
........A theater may choose to have The Marilyn Johnson Studio create a specialty piece that they wish to retain within their theater and use or rent the majority of costumes from other sources.


Production Assistance:
Most theater groups depend on volunteers to work on the costumes and these wonderful volunteers have varying skill levels and experience so their job can become overwhelming and stressful to them, the director and the cast. The Marilyn Johnson Studio can offer assistance to these volunteers in a number of ways:
- Access to my research materials and expertise for time period garments
- Guidance and advice on all the options available within the production's budget
including fabrics, trims, patterns, etc.
- Guidance, advice and processes for keeping track of all the details required to costume a cast and set up a dressing room
These services are billed in 15 minute increments with a 1 hour minimum of $45
- Access to my studio facilities and equipment for costume production and alterations, your costumer may work here alone or with up to six assistants. This becomes a real time and stress reliever for all involved.
........This service is billed by the half-hour with a 2 hour minimum at $90


Costume Rentals:
The Marilyn Johnson Studio has an extensive closet of costumes available for rent. The Closet covers a number of time periods as well as some of those hard to find specialty pieces such as the dress for Annie, the Dreamcoat for Joseph or fur coats, tuxedos and cowboy boots. The closet includes not only garments, but also shoes, boots, hats, gloves, scarves, work and military uniforms, suspenders, shawls, aprons, jewelry, wigs, spirit gum and more.
........It is important that costume rentals be arranged as soon as possible within the pre-production period so that alterations can be made if needed. The Marilyn Johnson Studio will perform any alterations required on its costume pieces as part of the rental service.
........The Marilyn Johnson Studio guarantees that all costumes it rents will be clean and in good repair. Some stains may be impossible to remove but they will not be evident to the audience. All costume pieces in the Closet have an inventory tag and will be listed on an inventory sheet along with its full replacement cost.
........As part of the rental agreement, you are asked not to clean any costumes before returning them. Any repairs or alterations that become necessary while at your theater must be of a temporary nature. Under no circumstances should fusible tape be used on a costume. Should a costume piece rented to your theater be lost or damaged beyond repair the theater will be responsible for the full replacement cost of the piece.
........Should your production need a piece that is not already in the Closet, The Marilyn Johnson Studio will create or obtain the piece. In this case, your only cost is the rental fee and at the end of your production, the piece is incorporated into the Closet. It's my way of building up the Closet.
........Rental fees are based on the type of piece being rented and the length of the rental period. Usually costumes are picked up the Monday of Hell Week and returned the Monday after the show closes. All costume rental fees must be paid in full at the time of the rental pick up along with a deposit that will be returned to you when the costumes are returned. This may be by cash or check from the theater group or by the costume representative making the arrangements. You will be given a complete inventory list of all the costume pieces being rented so that you can check off each item to be returned after the show.
........Costumes not returned on the agreed date will be charged $5/day which will be deducted from the deposit.

Dance and Performance Group Costumes:
Costumes in this category have some special needs in terms of fabrics needed, designs that allow for movement and costumes produced in multiples. The Marilyn Johnson Studio is able to work creatively with your costume person to produce unique, innovative costumes that maximize your costume dollars.
........ Much of the above theatrical information will apply in this area also, including full production services and production assistance to your costumer.


Re-enactor Costumes:

Custom Made:
Custom made costumes for re-enactors start with a consultation during which the design, details, fabrics, construction techniques, timeline and more will be discussed and decided. Consultations usually last 1.5 to 2 hours. The fee for a consultation is $50.
........ After the consultation I will prepare an estimate and mail it to you. If you accept the estimate then we will sign a contract and begin work.

Rentals:
Rental costumes are pulled from the Costume Closet and most of the information about theatrical rentals pertains here as well.
* Costumes will be clean and in good repair
* Any alterations needed will be performed by The Marilyn Johnson Studio as part of the rental process
* If a costume piece is lost or damaged beyond repair, the renter will be responsible for its full replacement cost
* At the time of rental the fee must be paid in full along with a deposit; the deposit will be returned when the costume is returned in good condition
* Rental fees will be based on the costume piece(s) being rented and the length of the rental period
* Costumes not returned on the agreed date will be charged $5/day which will be deducted from the deposit.

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