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Theatre Development Fund’s (TDF) Costume Collection, which is one of the largest theatrical costume rental houses in the country, has moved its 75,000-piece costume collection to the landmarked Kaufman Astoria Studios (KAS) and opens for business in its new home on Monday, November 14 at 9am. 

The TDF Costume Collection, which provides professionally-designed theatrical costumes primarily to not-for-profit theatre companies, schools, community groups and religious groups, as well as film and television productions, had previously been housed in Manhattan at the Starrett-Lehigh Building. The new address is: TDF Costume Collection, Kaufman Astoria Studios, 34-12 36th Street, Lower Level – Suite 1, Astoria, New York 11106. Phone remains: 212.989.5855. Hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 6pm. The director of the TDF Costume Collection is Stephen Cabral.

TDF’s Costume Collection houses costumes and accessories contributed by Broadway and Off Broadway productions, opera companies, and television and feature film productions. In 2010 alone, 949 productions were mounted by 466 organizations in 33 states with costumes from TDF’s Costume Collection. Costume designers can dress all or part of an entire production from costumes worn in classic Broadway shows or operas performed at the Metropolitan Opera. When productions close, costumes are often donated to the organization.  Recent donations to the TDF Costume Collection have been from the Broadway productions of American Idiot and West Side Story, and the film, Men in Black III. The Collection provides costumes to a wide range of clients from not-for profit organizations such as theatre companies, schools, community groups, church groups as well as feature films and television productions.

“We’re delighted to be in our new home at the Kaufman Astoria Studios,” said Victoria Bailey, TDF’s executive director.  “KAS is a very exciting place. The creative, collaborative environment which flows through the building will be an asset in helping us forge new relationships while continuing to be easily accessible, both in person and online, to our existing customers.”

“We are excited to have Theatre Development Fund’s Costume Collection move into the Kaufman Astoria Studios campus,” said Hal Rosenbluth, president of Kaufman Astoria Studios.  “Housing a 75,000-piece collection in the studio gives the organization a presence in a campus bustling with creativity, top productions and theater companies. We look forward to helping TDF grow its business at KAS and develop new relationships with production companies, producers and costume designers that come to Astoria to produce feature films and television shows.”

Kaufman Astoria Studios (KAS), founded in 1920, is one of the largest film and television production centers on the East Coast. KAS features six studios including a 26,040 square-foot stage, KAS Music & Sound and K/A/S Lighting all under one roof.  KAS offers the expertise, equipment and environment to create first-class productions. The studio has hosted numerous productions such as the Showtime hit Nurse Jackie, The Taking of Pelham 123, and upcoming movies The Smurfs and Men in Black III. Long-time children’s favorite Sesame Street has called KAS home since 1992. Celebrating its 90th Anniversary, the studio opened its newest stage, the 40,000 square-foot Stage K, in 2010. For the latest news follow KAS on Twitter @KaufmanAstoria. www.kaufmanastoria.com

Theatre Development Fund, which just received a 2011 Mayor’s Award for Arts and Culture, is the largest nonprofit performing arts service organization in the United States. It is dedicated to encouraging diverse audiences for live theatre and dance, and strengthening the performing arts community in New York City. Created in 1968, TDF’s programs have provided over 80 million people with access to performances at affordable prices returning over $2 billion in revenue to thousands of theatre, dance and music productions.  Best known for its TKTS Discount Booths, TDF’s membership, outreach, access and education programs – as well as its Costume Collection, help to make the unique experience of theatre available to everyone. In addition, their recent Autism Theatre Initiative offered the first autism-friendly performance of a Broadway show, presenting The Lion King to an entire audience of families with children on the autism spectrum.  For more information go to www.tdf.org.

below: photo of costumes about to be unwrapped in new location