Behind the Scenes: Caring for Theatrical Costumes

On the occasion of World Theatre Day, the Maria Callas Museum joins forces with the Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments of the Ministry of Culture to present, on Friday 27 March at 11:00, a specialized hands-on workshop dedicated to the care, storage, and preservation of garments and theatrical costumes.

The journey of a theatrical costume does not necessarily end when the curtain falls. A costume can preserve the memory of the stage, tell stories, and even acquire a place within a museum collection—provided it is properly cared for. Where and how should it be stored? Which practices help protect it from the wear of time? What are the most common practical challenges?

During the workshop, participants will engage in a creative dialogue on conservation practices, learn the basic principles of storage and preventive care, and become familiar with simple yet essential techniques used in museums and theatre organizations. They will then construct their own specially designed hanger for the proper storage of garments and costumes—an important first step toward their long-term preservation.

The activity highlights the importance of caring for theatrical costumes, emphasizing their role as living testimonies of artistic creation and cultural memory, from the stage to the museum environment. Their proper storage in museums, theatres, opera houses, and cultural institutions is essential for their protection, organization, study, and future use.

The workshop will be led by Dr. Tatiana Kousoulou, Conservator of Works of Art, Head of the Textile Conservation Laboratory of the Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments.