Costume Rental Program

The CFPA costume rental program rents costumes for theatrical productions to theatre and educational groups who have a group representative (director, costume designer, or costume coordinator) and to students, faculty and staff for class presentations.

Group representatives (may be accompanied by an assistant) and individuals must be able to personally come to storage to pull costumes with the assistance of the CFPA Costume Rental Coordinator. Group representatives and individuals must have done research and know the specific costume needs and measurements of the individuals in the group.

We do not rent costumes for parties, Halloween, weddings, etc.

1. Prior to renting, read our rental policies and look at our rental price list (below)
2. Make an appointment via email with our Rental Coordinator.
3. Come to your appointment prepared with research, a prepared measurement sheet, name and contact information of producing organization or advising professor, and production dates. You may bring one assistant with you to your appointment.
4. At time of rental you will receive a contract, inventory, invoice and tentative return date.
5. Take or send invoice with payment to the Western Washington University Student Business Office. The CFPA Rental Program accepts Cash, Check, Money Orders or Debit only. No credit cards accepted.
6. Email the Costume Rental Coordinator to confirm a time for your costume return appointment.
7. Use the rental inventory form to ensure all rented costumes are accounted for and in the same order as on the inventory. Take note of any damage or loss so you are not taken by surprise at your return appointment.

*Western Students: Rentals must be for a class presentation of theatrical production (must be for a Western department, club, or class)

Faculty, Staff, WWU club productions, Alumni, Community: 30 piece limit.

A rental fee will be charged. A discount will be applicable if the production is part of a Western program or is for a class. You may make payment at Western Washington University Student Business Office in person or by mail. Your payment makes this program available.

Payment of the rental fee will be due within ten (10) business days of the rental period start date. Payment of any additional fees will be due within ten (10) days of the rental period end date.

Only the individual who made the appointment, and one assistant, may look through the costume storage. There will be absolutely no trying on of costumes at the storage location. You should bring measurements of your actor(s) with you. In addition, renters are responsible for conducting their own research (i.e. clothing periods etc) prior to visiting the costume storage.

Alterations on all articles are limited to hems, CB & S seams, buttons, trims, etc. No permanent alterations may be done without prior permission of WWU Costume Staff. Safety pins may be used for marking alterations, but may not be left in for performances. No tape of any kind is allowed on costumes.

Costumes are for rent only. We do not sell costumes.

The Costume Rental Program does not rent wigs, hats, shoes, and accessories.

The Costume Rental Program will handle all cleaning of costumes. The fee for cleaning is not included in the rental fee. Which costumes require cleaning will be assessed upon the return of the costumes. The Cleaning Fee schedule will be provided upon request.

It is your responsibility to make an appointment to return your costumes. Return appointments may be scheduled during rental hours. Call 360-650-6678 or email costumerentals@wwu.edu to make your appointment.

Use your invoice as a checklist prior to your appointment to return the costumes. Putting costumes in order of the invoice expedites the return process and insures a cheerful Costume Staff employee!

Renter assumes all responsibility for loss and/or damage to costumes listed on his/her contract, whether caused by renter or someone to whom the renter loans costumes. Lost items must be replaced or a replacement charge will be assessed. This will be the replacement cost, like kind and quality, not the market value of the item.

Delinquent returns and payments will result in both student and producer (if applicable) losing future loan privileges, and sponsoring Faculty holding student’s grade, until costumes are returned and outstanding balances are paid in full.

WWU will not be held liable for any injury caused to any party while wearing WWU costumes.

Rental period

Rental rates are for a run of no longer than 2 weeks. 50% of the rental rate for each additional week will be charged for longer runs.

Damage/Loss Fees

In the unfortunate event that a costume is damaged while rented, it will be the responsibility of the renter, and/or the organization represented, to pay what would be required to return the costume to its original condition.

If a costume has been damaged to such an extent that repairing it is not possible or not cost-effective, then the renter, and/or the organization represented, will be responsible for paying for the replacement of the costume. The full value of the costume is assessed at the time of rental and will be noted on the contract with the inventory. The full value of a costume takes into account the materials needed and the labor involved in producing the costume or the cost to buy the item new, if applicable.

Late Return Fees

If the renter does not return rented costumes by the designated return date and has not made a good-faith effort to return them, then a late fee will be incurred.

For every week that the costumes are late, 20% of the rental fee will be charged.

CFPA Costume Rental handles all the cleaning of its costumes. When costumes are returned from a rental, the costume rental coordinator will assess which costumes require cleaning.

Please do not attempt to clean costumes that have become stained. Your efforts may result in the permanent damage of a costume, whereas we may be able to remove the stain resulting in a substantially lower fee.

Dry-Cleaning Fees

We receive a discount on our dry-cleaning. We pass this discount on to you, so you will find that our fees are less than what you would pay.

*Skirts with knife pleats: add 10 cents per pleat.

Laundering Fees

$1 per item