Theatre Production Guide: Technical
Lighting Supply & Rentals
Seattle and Portland
Hollywood Lighting Services, Inc.
Seattle:
660 S. Dakota Street
Seattle, WA 98108-5226
(206) 292-2353
(800) 547-2353
Portland:
5251 SE McLoughlin Blvd.
Portland, OR 97202-4836
Toll Free: (800)-826-9881
(503)- 232-9001
Hollywood Lights, Inc. has rentals and sales of lights, lighting equipment and theatrical make-up. Design services are also available.
PNTA (Pacific Northwest Theatre Associates)
2414 SW Andover Street C100
Seattle, WA 98106
(800) 622-7850
(206)-622-7850
Founded in 1975, PNTA offers a full range of live production supplies and services including: ~ a fully stocked store and an online store ~ sound, lighting, and stage design and production for events ~ custom sales of sound, lighting, and drapery ~ technical repair services for most theatrical equipment ~ props, video production equipment, and make-up.
PNTA’s Rental Services staff can help you arrive at the best balance of convenience, performance, and budget. At your option, PNTA can deliver, set-up and/or operate your rented equipment. To get your quote submit the online form or visit the store.
Sound
Western Washington
American Music
Retail Store
4450 Fremont Ave. N.
Seattle,Wa. 98103
Service and Rentals
4327 Fremont Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
(877) 813-7390
(206) 633-1774 ext 4 (rentals)
American Music sells instruments and sound equipment and rents PA gear including speakers, mics and sound boards.
Rentals: American Music carries a wide selection of music instruments and pro sound equipment for live performances and events. Consult website or call for more information.
Morgan Sound
2004 196th St. SW Suite #2
Lynnwood, Wa. 98036
(425) 771-7257
(866) 860-8233
Morgan Sound offers sales, rentals, and installation of audio and video systems and lighting equipment. Rental, design and support services are available.
Rentals: Morgan’s promises a knowledgeable staff, low prices, and an extensive rental inventory.
Portland
Rose City Sound
4811 SE 16th Avenue
Portland, OR 97202
503.238.6330
Rose City Sound offers a range of products and services that include professional engineering, custom sound systems, stage lighting, video projection, data projectors, slide projectors, screens, wireless microphones, will call sound and lighting systems and more.
Consulting & Sales. RCS’s experienced staff will work with you to tailor a system that fits your budget, space, and needs. Services include: design, procurement, project management, final tuning, and training.
Rentals. RCS can accommodate events of 4 to 400 people with its will-call packages. RCS offers: Battery powered Anchor sound systems, 2 and 4 speaker sound systems (powered and unpowered), Wireless microphones, Data projectors, Screens (6′-12′), Stage lighting, and more. Please call for a custom-tailored system for your event.
Pro Sound & Lighting
3511 SE Belmont St.
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-4889
(877) 212-3248
Founded over 20 years ago, Pro Sound & Lighting sales and rentals of audio and lighting equipment. Its rental department boasts one of the largest will call rental inventories in Portland.. Sound equipment rentals include: speakers, mixers, microphones, power amplifiers, processors source/playback devices, recording, karaoke, snakes & cables, and DJ equipment.
Web site has a reference page with links to how-to’s and basic knowledge about the equipment they carry written by various manufacturers.
Spectrum Acoustics
Mailing Address:
5408 SE Hawthorne
Portland, OR 97215
(503) 891-1373
Spectrum Acoustics provides audio services for many stage productions and is familiar with the problems that go along with them. SA uses novel approaches to theater reinforcement with excellent results, even with large numbers of wireless Lavaliers and headmics.
Sets & Props
Seattle
Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect prop or set piece.
> Contact Driftwood Players in Edmonds:
Edmonds Driftwood Players
950 Main Street
Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 774-9600 ext 6
Before you look anywhere else for props start with The Driftwood Players. This theatre has been doing business for props since 1958. They will rent a page-full of props for a flat rate. They have a lot of 19th and early 20th century props as well as some unusual finds as they do a lot of Agatha Christie.
> Post on the TPS listserv.
> Place requests on Freecycle & Craigslist
> Try online auction sites like propertyroom.com & ebay
> Search for thrift stores online for locations, hours, and contact information. Call before you go if you are looking for rare or uncommon props.
> Contact auction houses. (Search: auctions cityname) Despite what you see on TV and the movies, most things go very cheaply, and auction houses allow absentee bidding. Many items are displayed and for sale in the store portion of auction houses. Read this basic guide to buying at auction if this is new to you. Bonus – auctions are fun.
Good Luck!
2nd Base/Seattle
1001 NE Boat St.
Seattle, Wa. 98105
Tel: (206)325-2273 (325-BASE)
2ndbaseseattle.tumblr.com/page/27
2nd Base buys, consigns, and trades used and vintage sporting goods. 2nd Base carries a wide variety of vintage sporting goods. From unique clothing to vintage equipment. Athletic areas like golf, skiing, baseball, jerseys, books, posters and many more! 2nd Base also has a unique selection of rare and vintage sporting goods.
2nd Base serves the prop and display community through a purchase or rental program.
Archie McPhee
Wallingford 1300 N 45th St
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 297-0240
Archie McPhee has been supplying gifts and toys to Seattle since 1983. Located in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood, it’s a one stop shop for party supplies, crafts, costumes, miniatures and the weirdest collection of toys and candy that you’ve ever seen.
Dry Ice Suppliers
About Dry Ice (from Wikipedia).
Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. It is used primarily as a cooling agent. Its advantages include lower temperature than that of water ice and not leaving any residue (other than incidental frost from moisture in the atmosphere).
Carbon dioxide gas changes to its solid state (dry ice) at 194.65 K (−78.5 °C; −109.3 °F). This extreme cold makes the solid dry ice dangerous to handle without protection due to burns caused by freezing (frostbite).
When dry ice is placed in water,direct transition from being a solid to a gas is accelerated, and low-sinking, dense clouds of smoke-like fog are created. This is used in fog machines, at theaters, haunted house attractions, and nightclubs for dramatic effects. Unlike most artificial fog machines, in which fog rises like smoke, fog from dry ice hovers near the ground. Dry ice is useful in theater productions that require dense fog effects.The fog originates from the bulk water into which the dry ice is placed, and not from atmospheric water vapor (as is commonly assumed).
Some large supermarket chains (like QFC) may sell dry ice through their fish departments. Also, search on: “dry ice” cityname
Tacoma’s Antique Row
743 Broadway Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
Located just one block from Tacoma’s theatre district on Broadway Avenue, Antique Row is a great place to peruse antique shops for funky props and furniture to add to your set design.
Thrift & Salvage Stores
Thrift and second-hand stores abound throughout the region. Stores open, close, and move constantly. Brands, organizations, and companies that own thrift stores include Lifelong, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Value Village, and St. Vincent de Paul.
Set and construction materials can be found second-hand at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores, Earthwise Architectural Salvage, Second Use Building Materials, and Ballard Reuse.
Search terms: “thrift stores” seattle
Portland
Thrift & Salvage Stores
Thrift and second-hand stores abound throughout the region. Stores open, close, and move constantly. Brands, organizations, and companies that own thrift stores include William Temple House, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Value Village.
Set and construction materials can be found second-hand at places like Portland Architectural Salvage & Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Search terms: “thrift stores” portland or
Costume Resources
Seattle
Central Costume Collective and Performance
Contact: K.D. Schill
Central Costume Collective loans/rents costumes to the film, print, theater and dance communities in Seattle.
Pacific Fabrics & Crafts
| Bellevue
121 107th Ave NE #A Bellevue WA 98004
(425) 747.3551 |
Bremerton
4214 Wheaton Way Bremerton WA 98310
(360) 479.4214 |
Northgate
838 NE Northgate Way Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 362.0111 |
Sodo Outlet
2230 4th Avenue South Seattle WA 98134
(206) 628.6237 |
Pacific Fabrics has local roots in the rag, remnant, and fabric trade dating from 1917. Their Northgate store is known for the most extensive collection of silk fabrics, ribbons and trims. They offer a wide range of custom sewing services including help with design, workroom rentals and scissor sharpening.
The Pacific Fabrics and Crafts Outlet in the SODO district is renowned for having more “special buys” such as remnants and closeout fabrics. Their selection of mill-end home décor and fashion fabrics includes many hard-to-find items for the costume designer or set dresser.
Costume Rentals
National
National Costume Association
Mailing Address:
PO Box 3406
Englewood, CO 80155
Physical Address:
2851 S. Parker Rd., Ste. 1210,
Aurora CO 80014
(303) 339-0750
(800) NCA (622)-1321
The National Costumers Association was organized on August 24, 1923, bringing together a small group of costumers dedicated to upgrading and promoting the costume industry. The National Costumers Association is a professional organization promoting the artistic, historical, educational, and social nature of costuming, encouraging ethical business standards.
TDF Costume Collection
Located at Kaufman Astoria Film Studios
34-12 36th Street
Lower Level, Suite 1
Astoria, NY 11106
Kaufman Astoria Film Studios Campus Entrance:
Enter at the main studio gate located at 35th Ave
and 36th Street in Astoria.
(212) 989-5855
tdf.org/nyc/30/TDF-Costume-Collection
From a medieval suit of armor to a 1950s poodle skirt to modern cocktail attire — as well as everything in between. It can all be found in one place: the TDF Costume Collection.
Designed to help dress up the stages of not-for-profit and small-scale theatrical performances, the Costume Collection houses over 80,000 costumes and accessories donated from Broadway, Off Broadway, Opera, Film, and regional productions. And they’re all available to rent for your next performance.
TDF also accepts donations of costumes.
The Costumer
Mailing Address:
Catalog/Internet Department
The Costumer
1995 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12205
(866) 374-7442
thecostumer.com/c-3345-rental-costumes.aspx
Founded in 1917, The Costumer has over 150,000+ theatrical costumes from over 400 different shows available for rental. View inventory online & click on any highlighted show to see samples of the costumes.
Renters can choose from the featured website collection or call with a specific request. In many cases they are able to send a digital photo via email of the costume. Please note digital photos are available for individual renters only. Group and theatrical rentals should contact the Theatre Department with specific request and concerns.
Other resources for purchase or rent: The Costumer carries both theatrical makeup and costume makeup to add the final finishing touch. The Costumer keeps a selection of hundreds of costume wigs, fake beards, costume moustaches, even costume mullet wigs in stock throughout the year.
Seattle and East Side
A Masquerade
Seattle
16759 Redmond Way
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 373-5990
amasquerade.com/costume_rentals/
Extensive collection of full and partial costume pieces available for rent or purchase.
Central Costume Collective and Performance
Contact: K.D. Schill
Central Costume Collective loans/rents costumes to the film, print, theater and dance communities in Seattle.
Champion Party Supply
1461 Elliott AVE W
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 284-1980
Champion’s claims to have one of the largest and best costume selections in the city! If you’re curious about a specific costume, call first.
Champion Party offers an extensive assortment of products and services including costumes and costume rentals, wigs, theatrical make-up, parties for all occasions, custom invitations, onsite napkin and ribbon imprinting, balloons, and party rentals.
Edmonds Driftwood Players
950 Main Street
Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 774-9600 ext 4
Before you look anywhere else for costumes or props start with The Driftwood Players. This theatre has been doing business for costumes since 1958. You can rent a wide variety of costumes. EDP has shoes, period costumes, hat and accessories for men and women.
Party@Display & Costume
| Northgate
11201 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 362-4810 |
Issaquah
6000 E Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE Suite B Issaquah, WA 98029
Phone: (425) 392-3777 |
Party @ Display & Costume Supply offers party, costume, display and theatrical supplies. Two locations.
Vintage Costumers
2101 Colby Ave.
Everett, WA 98201
Tel: (206)522-5234
vintagecostumers.com/vcrentals.html
Established in 1977, Vintage Costumers is a rental only costume shop with a commitment to providing fine quality historical reproduction garments—most are fabricated on site—at a reasonable rate. Vintage Costumers has the best overall rental selection of authentic historical and vintage costumes.
We also have Seattle’s best selection of authentic vintage clothing, uniforms, international attire and accessories from the late 1800’s through the 1970’s.
Western Washington University
College of Fine and Performing Arts
Costume Rentals
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225-9108
(360) 650-6678
The WWU College of Fine and Performing Arts Costume Rental Shop has been adding to its costume collection for well over 50 years and its collection includes a wide variety of period costumes, modern clothing, and some fantasy/oddball costumes primarily for adults.
We started this rental program to allow our incredible costume stock to benefit educational and community theatre groups, as well as Western students, faculty and staff with their theatrical production and classroom costume needs.
South Sound
Costumes Period
428 8th St Sw, #5
Auburn, WA 98001
(253) 735-4235
Costumes, Period is owned and operated by JoAnne Kirley. She has an extensive background in all aspects of historical and theatrical costuming. Since 1983, Costumes Period has served the theatrical and private community with pride and attention to personal needs.
CP rents, sells, and custom designs costumes for all occasions. Their specialty is historical costuming for all eras, including corsets and underpinnings, though they have a wide range of costuming available.
CP offers special discounts for schools and students.
Portland Area
Costume Avenue
12760 SW 1st Street
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503)848-3861
Costume Avenue has an inventory of over 10,000 costumes and rents to groups and individuals for holidays, weddings, theatre productions, television commercials and movies. They also sell props, makeup, wigs, hats, beards and masks.
Vintage & Resale Clothing Stores
Seattle
Buffalo Exchange
| University District
4530 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 545-0175 |
Ballard
2232 NW Market Street Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 297-5920 |
Buffalo Exchange specializes in used, vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories.
Crossroads Trading Co.
| UDistrict
Used Clothing Store 4300 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 632-1850 |
Capitol Hill
Used Clothing Store 325 Broadway E · Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 328-5847 |
Crossroads has been reselling fashion since 1991. Features gently used clothing for cash or trade; shop for affordable name-brand and designer clothing. Two locations in the Seattle area.
Lucky Vintage
| University District
4742 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 523-6621 |
Ballard
5424 Ballard Way NW Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 297-5920 |
Lucky Vintage has a large selection of men and women’s vintage clothes and accessories. Lucky Vintage offers quality vintage clothing and accessories for men and women from the 1800s to the early 1990s. Our offerings are hand picked by a talented staff of buyers for their design, quality, condition and wearability. We carefully inspect each piece, making repairs and cleaning when necessary to offer only the best vintage, ready to wear right away. We have two Seattle area locations as well as online shopping to reach our clientele no matter where they are located. Each shop is different and new items are added daily!
Red Light Vintage & Costume
University District
4560 Univ. Way NE
Seattle WA 98105
(206) 545-4044
Opened since 1996, Red Light specializes in used, vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories plus everyday & collectible vintage & costume wears.
Valley of Roses
University District
4748 University Way NE
Seattle, WA. 98105
(206) 522-6887
Valley Of Roses stocks vintage and consignment clothing. Fun Fact: this shop is on the site of Bruce Lee’s Martial Arts Dojo.
Portland Area
Nan’s On Third
125 SE 3rd Ave
Hillsboro, OR, 97123
(503) 642-9207
Nan’s On Third, formerly known as Nan’s Glad Rags, is a local women’s fashion resale boutique located in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon.
Make-up, Hair & Wigs
*See costume resources and costume rentals.
Seating & Risers
Seattle Area
Abbey Party Rents
2902 Lincoln Way Ste A100
Lynnwood, WA 98087
(206) 362-3222
(800) 892-2239 [(800) 89-ABBEY]
Abbey Party Rents has everything you need, from tents to tableware for corporate events, weddings, receptions, trade shows, auctions or fundraisers. APR offers event planning, delivery and pick-up services, and an event resource center.
Alexander Party Rentals
8051 S 198th Street
Kent, WA 98032
(206) 282-1987
Founded in 1991, Alexander Party Rentals offers a huge range of equipment from engineered tents and staging down to basic table settings and linens.
Cort Party Rentals
Everett Showroom & Warehouse6101 Associated Blvd #102 Everett, WA 98203
(425) 493-6969 |
Fife Showroom & Warehouse2523 Pacific Hwy E Fife, WA 98424
(253) 922-9898 |
CORT, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, is the world’s largest provider of furniture rental, trade show and event furnishings, and relocation and transition services.
Stage Managers, Lighting Crew, & Other Technicians
Seattle
Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) Callboard
1515 12th Ave
Seattle WA 98122
(206) 329-2629
nwfilmforum.org/education/artist-services/washington-filmmaking-callboard
Googlegroup:groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/nwfilm
The mission of the Northwest Film Forum’s Callboard is to help films get made in Washington. If you are working on a film or video project in the Seattle or Washington State area, you can use the Callboard to look for grips, gaffers, screenwriters, editors, actors, graphic designers, sound recordists, composers, set builders, or anyone else you need—paid or unpaid. You can also post requests for locations and equipment. Before you begin, you must have a Google account and sign in. Also, please read the User’s Guide on the website.
The Callboard is hosted by Google Groups and supports these four primary activities: Post, Respond, Invite, and Search.
PerformersCALLBOARD
In 1999, Performerscallboard began as a mailing list for children’s casting announcements. The following year, the scope expanded to adult actors and crew. Since then, over 10,000 cast and crew opportunities have been shared with PCB subscribers.
PerformersCALLBOARD is a email list that announces Casting Calls, Crew Calls, Performance/ Tech/ Administrative/ Intern/ Volunteer Opportunities and theater/film related positions. Our purpose is to send these opportunities directly to actors and crew and to promote performerscallboard.com.
Announcements include paid and unpaid opportunities in film, TV, theatre, dance, voiceover, promo, printwork, showcases, staged readings, extras casting, crew and more.
Actors and Crew — Join to receive announcements of opportunities in the areas of film, television, theatre and more. Subscribers receive cast and crew announcements through email. To request a Subscription Information Packet, send an email to: [email protected]
Filmmakers, Theatre and Production Companies, etc. — Post casting or crew call to this group of actors and crew in the Pacific Northwest. You do not have to be a subscriber to post an announcement Send cast and crew announcements to: [email protected] with “Posting” in the subject.
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University Theatre
3307 Third Avenue West, Suite 310
Seattle, WA 98119-1997
206) 281-2205
SPU Theatre Department encourages their students to seek off-campus volunteer, intern, and employment opportunities as a way to build their skills and networks of contacts.
All outside internships need to be coordinated with Theatre faculty, especially if Theatre internship credit (TRE 4943 “Theatre Internship”) hours are requested. These internships require a mutual contract between the Theatre Department and the theatre in which the internship takes place.
Theatre Puget Sound (TPS)
P.O. Box 19643
Seattle, WA. 98109
(206) 770-0370
tpsonline.org/auditions/auddb.php?action=active_list
Theatre Puget Sound members and non-members can search by profession or skills on its callboard and list-serv.
University of Washington School Of Drama
Box 353950
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 543-4204
Contact: Eloise Boyle, Undergad Adviser
This office can connect you with UW undergads interested in receiving experience in technical theatre. Most student will work for school credit or are willing to volunteer for the experience.
Examples of Technical Theater Books
Creative Play Direction
Second Edition
By Robert Cohen & John Harrop
© 1982
Publisher: Pearson
Very useful text to learn from and refer to. Used copies available.
Designing and Drawing for the Theatre
By Lynn Pecktal
© 1994
Publisher: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Very detailed. Out of print, occasional used copies surface.
Designing and Painting for the Theatre
3rd Printing edition
By Lynn Pecktal
© 1975
Publisher Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Quite detailed, especially for painting. Used copies available.
Scene Design and Stage Lighting
4th Edition
By Owen W. Parker and Harvey K. Smith
© 1979
Publisher: Holt,Rinehart & Winston of Canada Ltd
Popular textbook; used copies available.
Stage Costume Handbook
by Berneice Prisk
© 1966
Publisher: Harper & Row
A good reference for the basics. Used copies available.
Stage Crafts
By Chris Hoggett
© 1975, 2000
Publisher: Heinemann Drama
Filled with practical information, hundreds of photos, drawings, and plans, this go-to text features methods of design, construction, and decoration for the stage. It’s also a basic primer on the various techniques of theatrical painting, printing, and modeling and the proces of producing a play from construction through to the final look. A great all-around book for the low budget producer.
Stage Makeup
Tenth Edition
By Richard Corson, James Glavan, & Beverly Gore Norcross
© 2009
Publisher: Focal Press
This is the theatrical makeup bible that has over 400 photographs, drawings and diagrams. The step-by-step illustrations covers all aspects of stage makeup in detail. Thoroughly updated and revised.
Stage Management
Tenth Edition
By Lawrence Stern & Alice R. O’Grady
© 2012
Publisher: Routledge
Stage Management is a practical manual on how to stage manage in all theater environments. Rich with practical resources—checklists, diagrams, examples, forms and step-by-step directions.
Will It Make a Theatre? Find, Renovate, & Finance the Non-Traditional Performance Space
By Eldon Elder
© 1993
Publisher: Allworth Press
Oriented to New York City, but is extremely useful to anyone, anywhere wishing to open a theatre space. Deals with cheap spaces, permits, seating, promotion, lighting and room for the performers to prepare and enter the stage.