Hi Carolyn~!
It sounds like you have a pretty big task ahead, but the good news is, it *can*
be done, and the
program will be better for it in the long run. Our group did the same sort of
thing several years
ago, and it's been a long growth process. We did lose some people, but the ones
who stayed are
happy that we did it. It sounds like you are blessed with a program director
who has a vision and
a plan, and he's looking to delegate the work to get it done. Good on him! He
really needs the
trust and support of the remaining core volunteers.
I'll answer your questions below:
-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of Carolyn Kayta Barrows
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 9:47 AM
There has been a change in the leadership of a living history program I am
in. The new person in charge wants revive the program, which has almost
become depopulated, and to make us look and act like a real living history
program. I am assuming that a higher standard of authenticity in costuming
will help both to attract new people and to improve things generally, but
I'm a costumer.
My questions:
What do you look for in a living history program you're considering
joining? What, besides the fact that it's a time period you're interested
in, would attract you to such a program and, time permitting, make you want
to come play?
## For me, it's all about the history, regardless of the who/when/where. I want
the feeling of
complete immersion, and I want to try and convey that to the public, even if
only just a fraction
of it crosses over. To me, it's magic! Having accurate clothing plays a big
part in recreating
this feeling. Making sure that everyone knows the whole story of the place or
events, and is able
to talk about it also is a huge part of the picture.
The new person in charge has specified two levels of participation, one
full-time and one part-time. We will have a core of regulars, and room for
drop-ins who don't have the time nor the inclination to make a full-time
commitment. And he's allowing for days core people have to miss.
##This is an excellent plan, imo. Always remember that this is a volunteer
outfit! Appreciate them
for what they give, and don't make them feel bad for what they can't give. Most
of us would give
our eye teeth to be able to "play" all day long, but Real Life Comes First.
I've seen program
directors get too caught up in looking good for their own bosses and end up
treating the nice
people very poorly. Then in a few months they really panic when they look
around and realize they
have no more volunteers.
How authentic to the period should the costumes be at first? We have
several male characters who are wearing OK-looking generic working class
clothing from our period, and about three women in garments that are about
right for the year we've chosen (1901). Should we go easy on the
authenticity at first, and try to raise the standards later, or should we
change to the higher standards now, and try to raise the few older members
up to them?
## This is a really tough one. My experience has been to just make the
standards *now*, and have
everyone understand why you are doing this. Yes, some people are not going to
like it, but some
people are going to rejoice! I bet if you talk to your program director, he'll
back you up on the
new rules. After all, it's *his* vision!
What is the best way to tell people who have been doing the program since
it began, but whose standards of authentic costuming are not what the new
person in charge wants them to be, that they have to meet higher standards
now - if the new person in charge hasn't been in the program as long as
they have? The same question goes for me, the new costume mistress for the
program. My own solution would be to ask that when an objectionable
garment wears out it should be replaced by a better one. But I'm a
volunteer, as are all the participants, so the question becomes a delicate
one to ask.
## This is a delicate problem indeed. If you think you have some folks who are
going to really balk
or get sniffy, then they will need some extra TLC. But the reality is, things
like this are just a
fact of life. How many times have you had a job where all of a sudden you get a
new boss, half your
age and full of newfangled ideas? It's a tough adjustment, but most people
handle it just fine
eventually. Either that, or they move on to softer pastures. Don't let the few
who *might* resent
changes cause you or your boss to hold back from what you know to be right. Who
knows, they just
might surprise you! You said that the program is in a low spot now anyway. If
so, I bet the troops
all know it and are ready for something new. So, make new standards and recruit
new people!
Which 'cheats' are considered acceptable and which are not? Some of the
male characters are played by women with long hair, and they have always
braided it and let it hang down their backs. By 1901 pigtails were out of
use by working class men, even sailors. Should we insist that these women,
who aren't going to extremes to fool anyone but who do act like guys, do
something about the hair and obvious female anatomy? (BTW, the program's
female characters have always worn corsets, or at least looked like they were.)
## I firmly believe that if a person is going to attempt a cross-gender
interpretation, they need
to work extra hard to pull it off. It can be done successfully, but it takes
conscious effort to do
so. Yes, I would have these women dress their hair, clothes and accessories to
reflect the average
male of the period. If they can adopt male mannerisms, more the better. This
also applies to women
dressing age and class appropriately. Too often I've seen someone get caught up
in some romantic
notion and spend a small fortune on an outfit that she should never be in for
the circumstances
she's portraying.
You will also have to enforce eyeglasses, shoes, hairstyles and jewelry. Lucky
for you, 1901 era is
easier than many. Always remember that old adage "The devil is in the details",
because it really
is the little things that make all the difference.
I have just begun an inventory of the stock of costumes this program has,
and have compiled a list of "over my dead body" items I don't ever want to
see used in a program I'm costume mistress of. There's also a soft list of
things, like some of the mens' shirts, which read more like the 1850s than
like 1901, which I'd like to phase out or, if currently not in use, to not
issue to anyone.
## Great idea! Cull out the rotten apples first! Perhaps there is another
historic site near you
that these items would be more appropriate for? If so, I'm sure they would
appreciate the donation.
Stick to your plan of having only correct things at your site.
The new person in charge also wants a list of costumes we need in
stock. I'm currently talking to him about getting participants to make
their own costumes, to save program budget money we no longer have. I have
rashly volunteered to help all participants do this (and the program's
historian has already roped me into a two-person shirt-sewing session with
her).
## For those who are only occasional volunteers it is a good idea to have some
loaner stuff
available. It's impossible to try and have something for -every- body, but you
can make an attempt
anyway. Having the core people make their own stuff does go a long way towards
a feeling of
inclusion and ownership of the project. First thing is to compile a list of
accepted patterns,
fabrics, trims, accessories, reading list, etc and have it readily available,
both online and in
paper, if possible. It'll take some time to compile, but it will be so worth it
in the end. If you
can, make a fabric swatch book. (This is a good project to delegate to an
assistant if you have
one) I've found that new people really benefit from seeing examples of what
they can have. Make
the swatches available for check-out so that people can borrow them to take
shopping if they want.
It wouldn't hurt to also list some of the "don't go there" stuff, and why it's
off-limits.
As far as having sewing sessions, this is a wonderful thing! Are there any
young ladies who would
like to join in? (This is a great way for older Girl Scouts to get all kinds of
service badges).
Heck, why not do it during open hours? Having somebody(s) sitting on the porch
with a sewing basket
would be absolutely appropriate. I'm always amazed by the number of people who
are amazed at ME
when I'm just hand sewing! Is there an appropriate machine in the house? If
so, use it! Doing
period things in a period manner is what it's all about!
Hope this helps,
::Linda::
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