Can I wear my Halloween costume to rehearsal on Thursday?

This question appeared on the Smiles and Frowns Playhouse Facebook page today. It is an excellent question that I am answering here, so everyone will have the same information.

The answer is that depends on the costume. The costume needs to fit like street clothes and allow the actor to complete all blocking and stage business without additional effort. More specifically, there can't be any masks or face-covering hoods or excessive makeup that can transfer to props, set pieces or other actors. Long costumes can be a trip hazard. Please do not wear or bring any fake weapons. Basically, avoid costumes, accessories or costume pieces that can interfere with your movement or the movement of anyone else on stage. Rehearsals are a ballet of speech and action and anything that distracts from the hard work of acting are detrimental to rehearsal. Just keep that in mind as you consider what you intend to wear for your costume on one of my favorite days of the year, Halloween. Personally, I will be wearing the costume of my alter ego--evil children's theater director--be afraid, be very afraid. ;)