Sudbury Theatre Centre to sell excess costumes and props

After almost 45 years of putting on productions, the Sudbury Theatre Centre has collected a lot of costumes, props and furniture.

"We were busting at the seams," artistic director Caleb Marshall said.

"Certainly we try to reuse, recycle and reduce as much waste as possible, but it does get to the point where you've probable not culled or purged in a long time".

Production staff has been going through items to determine what to keep and not to keep. The latter items will be up for sale at the STC event on Saturday, at the theatre's Shaughnessy Street site.

Marshall said the purpose of the sale is to make room backstage, and improve organization and accessibility.

He said the head of wardrobe went through all their costumes, and found items she didn't even know they had — items that could have used over the years.

"[The purge is about] being able to make the most use of the stock we have," said Marshall.

800 costumes

All the costumes to be sold at the stage sale are now hanging on the theatre's lighting pipes, backstage. Marshall said he estimates they have about 800 pieces of costumes up for grabs, including dozens of fur coats.

He says the wardrobe items are good for anyone who likes vintage clothing, or someone who wants to get a head start on a Halloween costume.

The STC decided to keep 30 suitcases in various styles and colours, but 60 other suitcases will be tagged to go in the sale.

Antique furniture

Marshall says they have a lot of antique furniture pieces that will be up for sale. He says some of them are just too big or too unique for the STC to keep.

"A lot of these items are just tucked away, gathering dust and really should be with somebody who would appreciate them more and showcase them more," says Marshall.

Every item will have a price at the sale, but Marshall said anyone who would like to barter is welcome to do so.

The theatre centre has contacted all the drama departments at local educational institutions to see if they'd like to add to their stock.

There are two areas to which proceeds will go.

Marshall says right now, the history of the STC is on display backstage. He'd like to use some of the money raised to move the display out to the lobby and lounge, where it would be visible to the public.

In addition, the production department will see some of the money for future productions.

The Sudbury Theatre Centre will mark its 45th season this fall.