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Costume Packet We’re excited that you are joining us on this high-energy musical trip to New York, 1899! Please read through the costume requirements completely, all notes are important! Remember, you are required to provide your own costumes (unless otherwise noted), which will need to be approved on the first day of camp.

Table of contents General Notes……………………………………………….…….…………. 2, 3 NY Citizen, Woman, Passerby, Photographer, Girls 1, 2, 3, Darcy, Mayor, Bill, Refuge Kid, Sally, Scabs 1, 2, 3, Goon, nuns, Policeman…………………………………..……………………………………..4 Nunzio, Emcee, Bowery Beauties, Medda Larkin….……………..…..…...…5 Joseph Pulitzer, Snyder, Seitz, Bunsen, Teddy Roosevelt, Hannah, Wiesel, Oscar Delancey, Brooklyn Newsies, Spot Conlon………….………..……….6 Katherine Plumber, Manhattan Newsies (Part 1): Mush, Henry, Splasher, Tommy Boy, Jo Jo, Buttons, Mike, Ike, Scrub, Ducky, Curly, Swish, Pepper, Knuckles, Gum Gum, Newby, Racket, Chicklet, Criss-Cross, Pickles, Salami, Buddy………………………………………………………..…7 Manhattan Newsies (Part 2): Elmer, Specs, Romeo, Finch, Albert, Race, Cruchie, Davey, Les, Jack Kelly……………………………………………..…8 Contact info.……………………………………………………………...……….9

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General Notes: At the turn of the century there would not have been knit fabrics, so please wear shirts with buttons. No t-shirts.

Women (not young girls) wear long, full skirts, fluffy sleeves and layers. Button boots or buckle heels. *Middle Class= drab colors (gray, brown, black, ivory, light blue, navy blue) maybe an apron, simple elements (blouse and skirt) **Upper class=brighter colors, shinier fabrics, hats, more layers or accessories.

Men (not young boys or Newsies) wear layered outfits including vests, blazers and overcoats. Also, suspenders and bow ties or narrow neckties. Slacks, no jeans. And shirts with collars. Dress shoes. *Middle class= drab colors (gray, brown, ivory, light blue, navy blue) no top hats, fewer layers. **Upper class=more vivid colors (black, red, burgundy, white) top hats, possibly overcoats.

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On your head...Hats were worn by both men and women; bowler hats, tops hats or snap-brim hats for men, and women can wear fancy hats.

Young Children: Girls should be in simple dresses, tall socks, tie or buckle shoes, hair ribbons ** middle/lower class= muted colors, add aprons Boys need a button shirt with a collar, knickers (short pants) and then add any combination of the following:

*upper class: add blazers, cleaner, brighter colors, vests, hats **middle/lower class: dirty, drab colors, a mix of patterns (stripes, plaids, checks, etc.) in vests, suspenders, hats. (Bags will be provided.)

Newsie Shoes! Although they are not required, it would be great if Newsies had dance boots in brown or black. They are available through any dance shoe distributor or available on Amazon for $15-$35. Button boots or other lace-up boots are also fine for “scabs” or “Brooklyn Newsies” Brown, low shoes that tie will also work. NO TENNIS SHOES

GIRLS!! IMPORTANT!! -

All girls cast as Newsies will be playing boys, so they need to wear long, narrow ties and/or vests, NO SUSPENDERS as part of their costume

accessories. This will help minimize “female features”. wink

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Specific Characters-

NY Citizen, Woman, Passerby, Photographer, Girl 1, Girl 2, Girl 3- See ‘Women, Middle or Upper Class’ in General Notes above. Darcy, Bill, Mayor- See ‘Men, Upper Class’ in General Notes above. Refuge kid- See ‘Young Children, Boy, lower class’ and ‘Newsie Shoes’ in General Notes above. Sally- see ‘Young Children, Middle Class, Girl’ in General Notes above. Scab1, Scab 2, Scab 3- see ‘Young Children, Boy, lower class’ in General Notes above. Wear Blacks, grays and ivory. NO BRIGHT COLORS. See also; ‘Newsies Shoes’ in General Notes. Goon- see ‘Men, Lower Class’ in general Notes above. You are tough, so feel free to tear the sleeves off of your shirt. Ms. Jacobi- see ‘Women, Middle Class’ in General Notes above and add an apron.

Nuns- Your basic Nun costume will be provided. You will need to have black tights/tall black socks and plain black shoes with no symbols or colors. (Ideally, a black character shoe.) Policeman- long, black jacket with big, brass buttons, black pants, and a belt with a buckle. We will be providing the badge, nightstick and hat.

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Nunzio- is a barber. You will need a white shirt, arm garters, dark pants and an apron. Add a vest and hat, if you’d like.

Emcee- you are the announcer in Medda’s theater. See ‘Men, upper class’ in General Notes above, but also consider adding a bit of flashy color, maybe a flower on your lapel or a bright-colored tie (purple or pink would be great), plaids or stripes. Be sure to wear a hat. Bowery Beauties- we will provide bright pink tights and accessories (skirts and head pieces) so that the pair of you can match. You need to have a pink leotard and long white gloves (maybe contact the other Bowery

beauty in your week and order these together). Also, white heeled boots or high heels with tall spats. Medda Larkin- you will need 2 dresses, one really fancy and one slightly less so. Your distinctive color will be purple (your dancers will be in shades of pink) With your fancy dress add a hat, gloves, and heels (boots would be great). A corset-style bodice is preferred. You also need a dressing gown. (fancy robe)

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Joseph Pulitzer, Snyder, Seitz, Bunsen, Teddy Roosevelt- see ‘Men, Upper Class’ in General notes above. Hannah- See ‘Women, Middle Class’ in General Notes above. You are a woman in a man’s world, so masculine details like a tie or fitted blazer would be perfect. Wiesel- See ‘Men, Middle Class’ in General Notes above. Wear black suit (a little dingy) white shirt and a black bowler hat. Add a vest and/or suspenders. You should appear more wealthy than the Newsies. Oscar Delancey, Morris Delancey- Wear a white shirt (sleeves rolled up), black vest, unbuttoned and a black bowler hat. Add suspenders if you want. I’d like you to also have black/tan trench coats. Brooklyn Newsie (not “Newsie”)- see ‘Young Children, Boy, *lower class’ and ‘Newsie Shoes’ in general notes above. Wear browns, grays and ivory (no blue) then, ADD AN ORANGE OR RED ACCENT TO YOUR OUTFIT (bandana, vest, hat, suspenders, newsie bag, etc.) This will make you distinct when Brooklyn comes to save the day. See also: ‘Newsies Shoes’ in general notes above Girls-be sure to read the ‘Girls’ note in General Notes. Spot Conlon- see ‘Brooklyn Newsies’ and ‘Newsie Shoes’ in General Notes above, but instead of short pants, please wear long pants and a shirt with the sleeves torn off to make you look older and tough.

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Katherine Plumber- see ‘Women, Middle Class’ in General Notes above. You are a women in a man’s world, so masculine details (ties, fitted blazers or jackets) would be perfect. You need to stand out on the stage, so a color and pattern are good. You will need 2-3 outfits. Consider elements that can be mixed and matched to make costume changes easier. Manhattan Newsies (“Newsies” on the cast list) part 1, (Mush, Henry, Splasher, Tommy Boy, Jo Jo, Buttons, Mike, Ike, Scrub, Ducky, Curly, Swish, Pepper, Knuckles, Gum Gum, Newby, Racket, Chicklet, Criss-cross, Pickles, Salami, Buddy)- see ‘Young Children, boys, lower class’ and ‘Newsie Shoes’ in General Notes above. Wear browns, grays and blues. Remember, you are living on the streets, so your clothes will be dirty, possibly tattered, and include mismatched patterns. You will also be dancing, so be sure you can move in your costume.

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Manhattan Newsies (“Newsies” on the cast list) Part 2- See ‘Young Children, Lower Class’ and ‘Newsies Shoes’ in General Notes above. Primarily, wear browns, grays and blues. Remember, you are living on the streets, so your clothes will be dirty, possibly tattered, and include mismatched patterns. You will also be dancing, so be sure you can move in your costume. Also, add the following details to your costume to make you distinctive to the audience. Elmer- bright blue hat Specs- glasses Romeo- bow tie Finch- yellow suspenders Albert- bright striped socks Race- bright blue bandana Cruchie- crutch (we will provide this) Davey- wear long pants to help you look a little older Les- you will easily be the smallest Newsie, so that is what makes you distinctive. Jack Kelly- wear long pants, to make you look older. Add a pop of color, if you want, just not red or orange.

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I hope this is helpful and that you are able to enjoy the costume-hunting process! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me, (Not Mindy) with questions or clarifications. Sending pictures is always helpful.

Seize the day!!

Rhonda Coulter

Rhonda@iptheater.com