Backstage, Inc.

Backstage, Inc., closed at the end of 2012. Longtime manager Rip Claassen is in the process of opening a new business, The American Backstage Company, near the Van Dorn Metro on Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria. The new business will carry costumes for rental and purchase, dance shoes and supplies, theatrical makeup, theatre books and scripts, and just about anything the local theatre community will need, including rehearsal space.
Note: The American Backstage Company is now open, according to their web site. 5380 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, 22 304
Email:
Phone: 703−212−8982

This is by far one of the best Halloween destinations! I rushed through so many places in the last week until I finally came here — and just as last year — I was able to find something within half an hour. The place offers unbeatable selection of make up, wigs, accessories and masks. On top of that the staff is very helpful — just ask one of them and they will throw a bunch of ideas at you how to assemble something one of a kind as opposed to buying one of those pre-​packages polyester one size fits all costumes. Let your creativity run wild!
Did I mention a rental section downstairs?

Wow! Who knew that such places existed. They have just about everything you need for Halloween or for a Lord of the rings convention. Costumes, costumes everywhere, but not a storm trooper outfit in sight. I specifically asked for one, but was told that they sold it. Maybe later they’ll get another one. So I had to minus one star for that.
But for reals. They have all kinds of stuff. Wigs, teeth, wings, ghoulish masks, ballroom gowns, powders, every stereo type and slutty outfit for the ladies.
It’s a big treasure trove of costumes. They have so many costumes that they are not all listed in their catalog. But if you tell the guys what your looking for, they have a mental database like rainman and pull up some fantastic options.

Yesterday, I was trying to find a costume for the Embassy of Italy Masquerade Ball/​Gala/​whatever next month. Thanks you you, my fellow Unilocalers, I decided to go to Backstage first.
Well, you guys haven’t steered me wrong before — and you still haven’t let me down :) They have tons of new costumes and accessories on the main level and SO many available for rental on the bottom floor.
While the guy had ‘only’ 4 gowns in my size, that’s all I needed. I loved 3 out of the four, but decided on a black and gold number. It was/​is perfect! I reserved it for the night (actually a reservation is for a few days) and it was only $ 65 including the big ol’ crinoline thing you have to put under the dress to make it super wide. The other 2 were $ 115 and $ 135, which I still would’ve paid if I liked them better, but the black and gold number was perfect for me. I’m able to pick it up a few days before the event and don’t have to bring it back to the store immediately. I like that.
Lucky for me, they have a whole wall of masks as well. I haven’t bought one yet, but I’m going to do that soon. Thing is, I had a mask at home but it didn’t fit well. Of course, I didn’t try it on before I went to look for the gown (SMH).
Anyway, if I ever need a costume that’s made out of real, substantial material, Backstage will be my go-​to place. I can’t wait for the gala!

Found this place online and their website made it seem like this was the best costume store ever. WRONG! Before entering the store you can tell it’s ghetto. I walked in and the place looked small and trashy. Nothing was organized and the «employees» stayed in their chairs staring from the back and couldn’t even get up to ask if I needed help. I walked myself right back out of there.

This place is SO much fun! I was there during the Halloween rush, but I hope I can find an excuse to visit here again when it’s not so busy. I needed a last minute accessory for a Halloween costume, and I was relieved to find that I wouldn’t have to drive into the ‘burbs to the nearest Party City because Backstage is conveniently located very close to where I work.
It’s a small place, but it’s bigger than it looks from the outside. The downstairs is dedicated to rentals, the upstairs has costumes and accessories, and there’s even a whole room dedicated to wigs and makeup. I think I spent an hour just looking at everything before I even remembered what I had stopped in here for. They have a huge assortment of costumes and accessories, and if for some reason they don’t have exactly what you are looking for, they employees will help you figure out an alternative. They’re very knowledgeable and helpful!

I love that this place exists! Perfect for all of my last minute crazy costume needs (which I never thought I’d have so many!)
Fake mustaches and spirit gum, mardi gras masks, crazy wigs, dance quality tights. Those are only my most recent purchases. This place really has it all.

Fantastic, helpful, friendly staff. Tons of scripts and paraphenalia for your costuming needs.
I needed to cover a tattoo for a trip to a conservative, yet sweaty, part of ghana and they patiently helped me find the perfect coverage without trying to upsale me. (Ben Nye blue neutralizer– 1)

My grandfather and I swung by to pick up some wigs and fake mustaches for a family movie project. It’s a geeky tradition, don’t ask too many questions.
The staff was helpful, and slightly condescending in a humorous manner. We had absolutely no idea what we were doing but they worked through our extensive needs list. When they didn’t have what were looking for they even helped us come up with alternatives.
The store is rather small, but has a great feel. I can’t speak to how well it serves serious theater, but it met our needs just right.

The best part is the guy behind the counter named Rip. When someone asked if they could step behind and check out the costumes, he replied, «not even over my dead body… when I die I’m going to come back and haunt this place for years.»
Rip really knows his stuff. What appears to be a wild jungle of polyester spanning several racks and random bins labeled «pimp» is actually a playground for Rip. He knows where every item lies, whether it be the random feather for the beaded headband that coordinates to the flapper dress (that will be me Oct 31^st), or buckle shoes with matching bootstraps for the Confederate soldier. He recites off the top of his head how many Star trek costumes are left, whether they are male or female, and sizes. He glides around behind the counter despite the over cramped quarters and stench of sweat, and he does it with a smile. He truly loves this gig and it shows.
They have over 3000 costumes (did I hear that right?) and the inventory is constantly changing as they wear down/​create new costumes for the theater. Do RSVP your costume early… the best ones go fast.

I was shocked at how rude these people are! I asked if they had a specific type of costume and they told me that the sort of costume I wanted wouldn’t look good on me, so I shouldn’t try it on. I had to insist that they let me try it on! Unbelievable! I didn’t try out for «What Not to Wear,» I was just looking at costumes. Expect to be criticized when you go here.

Do you know how many Tina Turner wannabes are running around DC this holiday season?
Apparently a ton. I overheard a Backstage Inc. employee tell an inquiring customer that they were out of their TWELVE Tina Turner costumes for rental. That’s a dozen Tina’s running around the DC area in a 24-​hour period. He said this is the case every year.
Did I miss something? I could have sworn that after Santa, the second most popular costume would be an elf, or something but no, no. It’s Tina Turner.
The gentleman that reported this information was very helpful, although a bit stressed. Perhaps his Dungeons and Dragons game didn’t go well earlier.
Walking into Backstage Inc. is somewhat of a magical experience. I started laughing out loud as soon as I walked into the small shop, lined with every kind of mythical figurehead imaginable. I was just waiting for some fairies, warlocks and gnomes to wander out of the crevices to greet me.
All jokes aside, the variety of costumes for rental here is, dare I say un-​matched in the DC area. Because they provide costuming for a number of local theaters and shows, the intricacies and vast array of thematic costumes is amazing.
Don’t even think about trying to snag one of these costumes for your next furries convention. You will be charged a $ 600 deposit if your costume is not returned within 24 hrs.

This place is great. They have TONS of stuff, whatever hairbrained costume idea you have. And the staff are super helpful.

Backstage’s employees are absolutely fantastic – despite the intense claustrophobia of being surrounded by hundreds of baggies filled with costumes in a hallucinogenic spectrum of colours, being buffeted to and fro by bumbling Hill-​types pawing through sexy frog and ninja costumes, and generally having their workspace overrun by loud teenagers picking out French Maid outfits, and red-​faced Republicans (all uniformly wearing blazers, white shirts, khakis and red ties) and their hideous shrieky girlfriends – they kept their cool and their senses of humour, bemused smiles in place, and were unbelievably helpful.
The wig guy helped me pick out a pair of false eyelashes for my costume (Alex from «A Clockwork Orange») and gave me some tips on trimming their length down for accuracy. I overheard the makeup guy giving a customer tips on applying facepaint.
Downstairs was the rental area. I saw people carrying out a bunch of really beautiful costumes and it looks like rental prices range from $ 30 — $ 100+, so if you’re in the mood to splurge, totally go for it.

Good not agree more with the other reviewers! This is THE place in the DC areas for wigs and everything that counts as part of a costume… from pre-​fab Halloween costumes, to wings, masks, rubber masks, halos. need I say more. And this place has a great selection all year round not just for Halloween. Got to check it out. It is just a few blocks from the Eastern Market metro so any easy walk… check out their store hours though since they are not open late!

I came here looking for a nice rental costume for Halloween, as well as some costume accessories.
The upstairs is basically «costumes in bags» and assorted props. The staff was helpful in guiding me towards the items I needed, because it is a bit overwhelming. I needed a fake mustache, and not only did they have a few options, but they had someone who could explain to me what adhesive I needed and how to apply it.
The downstairs is a big rental area. Basically, I told the woman working there what I was looking for, and she would just go searching for something that would fit my needs (and was the right size). I got the feeling that she has been doing this for many years and knows the costumes inside and out. (In fact, I think she is the one that searches out new costumes and buys them for the shop.) Anyway, I was able to get exactly what I needed — a nice jacket, top hat, and bow tie — for just $ 30. And it only cost me $ 10 extra to keep it for a week-​and-​a-​half so I could wear it to multiple parties. What a steal!
I haven’t been to many costume shops, but honestly it was really nice to have someone there to pick stuff out for you and quicken the process, rather than having to scrounge through a ton of racks yourself. I will definitely come back here the next time I need a rental costume.

If it were up to me, we’d celebrate Halloween all through the year.
I married someone who isn’t quite as enthusiastic. But this year, he’s not working and darn it, I’m making him dress up to attend a friend’s party, one where if you don’t come in costume, they will have one ready for you. And it’s never pretty.
I decided on a classic guise for the Mr. and headed down to Backstage for the necessary items. They stock a REALLY large selection of of-​the-​rack costuming for a grab and go dresser-​upper, but their professional make ups and prosthetics are to die for, and that’s what I was after. Furthermore, the guys at Backstage took the time to give me some great tips on creating and setting the look and mood that would put the cosmetic assistants at MAC to shame.
There were masks, wigs and all manner of odds and ends guaranteed to make your head spin with Halloween joy. I almost walked out with two more wigs than I needed, just because they were so cool and fun and I hadn’t seen anything else out there like them.
Don’t let the small storefront fool you… they are well stocked and ready for the holiday, even if you wait until the last minute. And like Gayle G. said before, they offer a LOT more than plastic devil horns and clown noses. The seasonal «Spirit» shops are fun, but Backstage is the real deal for quality costuming backed with theatrical know-​how.

This is the place to go for Halloween costumes. Period.

Oops! I flaked on reviewing this place before Halloween. A friend who is an actor told me about Backstage. It is the headquarters for anyone who does theatre, since Backstage sells scripts, trades, and sheet music. But, it is not just for theatre geeks.
Backstage also offers costume rentals and sales. And they have so much more than the corny devil horns or angel wings. Whether you want to dress up as a Renaissance queen or king, or maybe a bumble bee and anything in between. hit up Backstage!