QUEENS, N.Y. - The famed TDF Costume Collection Rental Program located in Kaufman Astoria Studios is back in operation to help assist artists who are attempting to produce work during the pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • Broadway may still be shuttered, but that doesn't mean theater isn't happening

  • A mainstay in the Broadway community and far beyond has reopened its doors to accommodate productions taking place across the country

  • By appointment only and patrons must wear masks at all times

“We offer costume rentals to film television, digital media, dance theater, and cultural productions nationwide,” said Stephen Cabral, the director of the collection.
 


The warehouse houses hundreds of costumes that have been worn on Broadway, including those by big name stars like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Patti LuPone and others. The rental program has been around for more than four decades and provides pretty much anything you can imagine when it comes to attire, sans a few items.

“I tend to say we don't have underwear,” Cabral joked. “But we do have period garments that achieve a certain silhouette.”

Cabral had to rethink his entire operation due to the coronavirus. For instance, less than ten people may be present in the warehouse, and of course, masks must be worn at all times.  And there’s even a way to get a costume without stepping foot in the building.

“We've always done mail order. So if you're somewhere else in the country, if you send us your measurements and what you're looking for, we'll pull for you,” Cabral said.

 

 
On the day we checked in with Cabral, writer and director Korie Tristan Prince was gathering costumes for his latest project, a film inspired by Othello. 

“As soon as you walk in, I mean, it's safety precautions from top to bottom and sanitizer, temperature checks. They're not sparing any expense here,” Prince observed.

And while the costume program may seem like a service that only benefits people in the arts, it goes much deeper than that, it actually helps fund TDF, a not-for-profit that provides affordable theater and education programs to individuals of all ages. To increase accessibility, the costume collection employs a sliding scale model, starting at just $50 for a week long rental.

“I couldn't have afforded most of the other places here in New York City. They’re the place, as an independent artist, that is going to work with you on price and get you whatever you need,” said Prince.

Cabral offered some insight for theater fans who are anxiously awaiting the return of live performances.

“It may feel like production is not happening right now. Take my word for it: it is, in very small ways because we are being contacted for it,” Cabral said.

And who knows, you may just see a TDF costume up on that stage, in a theater soon, or for now, on zoom.