Things I took for granted while at school

As I have begun my professional career as a costume designer I have run into a few things that I didn't realize were givens when working on a show. There are a few things I needed to budget for/remind people I needed/etc that were already there and waiting as a student. I thought I'd share a few of these so those of you leaving academia in the near future will be more prepared.

1. If your production is renting rehearsal space you will need to also rent fitting spaces (or have fittings at your apartment). Having worked on shows I knew this in the back of my head, but when it came time for me to design a show this completely threw me for a loop. Sometimes depending on the rehearsal space rented you can use part of the room and set up screens (not ideal but it will work). It is important if you need the space you get that rental put in as a line in the production budget. Sometimes though, production has budgeted all their rentals for the rehearsal space and there isn't much leftover. These are the times you get creative. I have done fittings in apartments and rehearsal space bathrooms. 
2. Where will costumes be stored? Thankfully I have designed small shows that can live in bags at my apartment, but if you are designing a show that is larger you'll need a space to keep costumes until you move into your theatre. The rental can double as a place for fittings potentially, but if you don't have it budgeted in, you'll have to get creative. Sometimes if it is a small show producers, stage managers, and directors can offer up some space. Other times, actors who are amazing at remembering their pieces will keep them at their homes until move in day. My personal ideology is keeping the costumes together or with the stage manager if they are needed to rehearse scene changes/transitions/blocking. 
3. You have to hire stitchers/a shop or do alts yourself. Thankfully I have my own sewing machine and am comfortable with alts. But, if you don't have a machine or have a few alterations you feel you can't complete, it is important to find stitchers/seamstresses/etc you trust to complete the task. Also, pay them as good of a fee as you can. Some costume budgets are tiny, but make sure there is another line in the budget for labor. 

Most of these tips have to do with budget or the non-design side of costume designing. They are still very important to keep in the forefront of your mind when budgeting and organizing the set up for your production.