It is human nature for a well-groomed man or woman, on the stage or off, to be in better spirits and a better mental attitude for the very reason that they are correctly attired. Cheap garments and inferior costumes detract from the dancer's ability to do the best work, however unconscious of this fact the dancer may be. So I contend that it pays to use the best material and employ the best workmanship, if only to keep the performers up to pitch and put the show over in a way that spells success.
Then, too, there is the audience to be considered. They know the difference between silk and cotton, and are quick to judge the show by the appearance of the costumes that greet them on the stage. It is little less than an insult to modern American audiences to expect them to pay modern prices for seats in the theatre and then parade a lot of second-rate costumes before them as your idea of something that will "get by" without detection or adverse comment.
The cost of costumes varies, of course, and the range is wide. Professional costumes worn in Broadway productions under my direction have been made for as little as $23.00 and as high as $1500.00 for an individual costume. Chorus costumes have been shown on Broadway costing $50.00 to $400.00 for each girl in the ensemble. However, a satisfactory chorus costume can be produced today for around $75.00 and that for a principal about $100.00.
There are large and satisfactory rental establishments in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, and others of our prominent cities where costumes can be rented for almost any character of show, in single garments or for a complete production. In the east, among the best are Brooks or Eaves, of New York, and Van Horn of Philadelphia.
In the wardrobe department of the Ned Wayburn Studios there is carried a varied line of up-to-date costumes well over a hundred thousand dollars in actual cash value. There is one set of twelve dancing costumes there alone worth $4800.00, or approximately $400.00 per costume. Any of my stock of costumes is available on a rental basis for amateur shows when my organization is employed to stage the productions, and an expert wardrobe mistress goes along with the outfit to insure proper adjustment and fitting of all the costumes to their wearers.
The complete costume when rented from any concern includes headdress, bloomers and parasols (if the character calls for them), besides the gown or costume proper, but never includes wigs, shoes, stockings or tights, which must be purchased outright.
In our studio work and during the rehearsal period on the stage we recommend the Ned Wayburn rompers as a form of practice dress best suited for ladies' use, except in our foundation technique and acrobatic dancing classes, in both of which the bathing suit is given the preference.
