Dress Parade and Dress Rehearsal

The dress parade occurs during the first dress rehearsal (character’s costumes, makeup and masks if used) usually one week before opening night. During this time the director and designers discuss whether or not the costumes and makeup read under the lights and do not “wash out.” It is not unusual to discover that the color of a fabric does not read and washes out under the lights or costume may not function properly in the performance space. This may be called a wardrobe malfunction.