Undercostume

All actors need an undercostume

The undercostume is a layer of clothing worn by actors for costume fittings, and underneath their costume during the run of the show. Actors should wear their undercostume to every rehearsal under their usual clothes; they can be sent to costuming during any rehearsal, and if they are not wearing their undercostume they will not be able to be fitted properly. We want their costumes to look great and feel comfortable! In addition, the undercostume provides a layer of clothing for modesty when they're trying on and removing costumes with a group of cast mates. 

Your actor may say they don't need to wear their undercostume to a rehearsal: please let them know it's required every Saturday as well as during tech week and for performances. 

Show shoes

Show shoes are part of the undercostume, and should be brought to every rehearsal and put on when actors arrive in the gym. They need to be rehearsing in their show shoes to become comfortable, as well as having them on when they are called to costuming. We can't check the length of pants or long gowns if your actor is wearing sneakers or boots to costuming. 

If their show shoes are getting to be too small or are uncomfortable, your actor will discover this during rehearsals in time to replace them; we don't want them to be putting them on for the first time before a show, then discovering that they are uncomfortable or too small.


If you need assistance with providing undercostume pieces or show shoes for your actor, please contact costumes@natickdramaworkshop.org and we will do our best to support your actor in finding the needed pieces.

 

Bottoms

Male Presenting Actors:

Slim, close-fitting shorts that will fit under costume pants 

  • Most male presenting actors wear a pull-on short of athletic fabric; dance shorts or fitted swim trunks are also fine

 

Female Presenting Actors:

Leggings or slim shorts such as dance/gymnastics/bike shorts

  • Many female presenting actors already own leggings; if needed, leggings and dance shorts are available for a low cost (about $6 and up) at local stores such as Walmart, Target, Kohls and Old Navy, or online at amazon.com

  • Any color and length is fine for rehearsals: specific details will be shared once everyone has been fitted in their final costume(s)

 
 

Tops

Male Presenting Actors:

Slim-fitting tee shirt, solid color 

  • The best choice is a simple v-neck undershirt

  • Any color is fine for rehearsals: specific details will be shared once everyone has been fitted in their final costume (for example, if your actor is wearing a black costume shirt they may need a black tee underneath)

 

Female Presenting Actors:

Thin-strapped camisole, worn over bra/bralette if needed. 

Available at Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc.

  • Please refer to the picture if you have questions of what a thin-strapped camisole looks like (it's not a tank top.) Camis are available for a low cost ($3 and up) at local stores such as Walmart, Target, Kohls and Old Navy, or online at amazon.com

  • Any color cami is fine for rehearsals: specific details will be shared once everyone has been fitted in their final costume

  • If your actor doesn't already have a cami to wear to rehearsals, a good choice to buy is a nude or white color since that works under most costumes

  • Please note: bras/bralettes/sports bras should also have thin straps, so if your actor only has t-back or sports bras it's time to find a style that will not show in the neckline of a costume; costumes are fitted to cover a cami and thin-strapped undergarments

 
 

Show Shoes

Male Presenting Actors:

Black jazz dance shoes OR  black dress shoes (slip-on is easier than laced)

  • Please refer to the photos

  • No black sneakers or boots

  • If you have trouble finding show shoes, please contact costumes@natickdramaworkshop.org; we have a limited number of pairs of hand-me-down shoes

Jazz Dance Shoe

Slip-on Dress Shoe

 

Female Presenting Actors:

Black jazz dance shoes OR  black dress shoes (slip-on is easier than laced) OR Black ballet slippers, single or double elastic strap.

Ballet Slipper

  • These are not ballet flats (shoes), they are ballet slippers made for dance such as Capezio brand

  • Please refer to the picture for an example of a black ballet slipper

  • If you have trouble finding black ballet slippers, please contact costumes@natickdramaworkshop.org; we have a limited number of hand-me-down pairs

 
 

Socks / Stockings

Male Presenting Actors:

For dress rehearsals & show weekend, most male presenting actors will be asked to wear black socks (if an actor needs something different, details will follow before Tech Week.) Please make sure their show shoes fit with these socks.

 

Female Presenting Actors:

For dress rehearsals & show weekend, most female presenting actors will be asked to wear nude pantyhose or knee-high stockings (if an actor needs something different, details will follow before Tech Week.) Please make sure their show shoes fit with these.