Former Dolphins Cheerleader takes Costume Shop to next level

Theatrics moves costume collection to Boynton warehouse
Mike Rothman
SunSentinel.com
May 23, 2012

If it involves the need for an authentic costume, Theatrics is the place.

Recently relocated from Lake Worth to Boynton Beach at 3461 High Ridge Road, Theatrics is the brainchild of owner Angel Wrona, who after being in theater all her life, decided to open a costume shop.

The 3,100-square-foot warehouse rents costumes to local plays, movie sets and even the occasional party goer looking for the real deal.

“We are one of the only places in Palm Beach County that rents costumes still,” she said of the year-round store. “Whether people are going to an event or there is a production, we are it.”

Schools in the area have also come calling on Theatrics and its original costumes. Atlantic High School in Delray Beach and Wellington High School have used the costumes for plays and events.

“Our name is getting out there,” Wrona said. “The costumes all depend on the event. Nothing trendy like Party City.”

For example, Wrona said a group came in last week looking for real cowboys and Indians garb.

The rentals start at three days to one week for a flat fee. Intricate, velvet-laced attire can run up to $100 for the rental but for a regular costume like a toga, it costs only $40.

“That’s not just a piece of cloth either,” she said. “That’s trimmed layers and the works.”

The store’s website, theatricslakeworth.com, has a Wall of Fame with pics of former customers happily wearing the costumes, including bunny rabbits, police officers and cats.

“I was raised as a theatrical ballet dancer, then came to Florida,” she said. “I am a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader alumni and former dance captain.”

In her performing days, Wrona always liked to make her own costumes.

She had the help of her husband Steve Echols to open the shop.

“She likes to serve the community,” he said. “That’s why we were originally in Lake Worth next to the playhouse on Lake Avenue.”

Echols said over time the store moved away from selling to renting. He added that his store is not for the packaged costume but something much bigger and better.

Theatrics gets its costumes from theaters that are finished with performances and other shops that may have closed down.

“People get into this,” he said. “We had people come in that were going on a Titanic reenactment cruise. We outfitted period costumes for that trip.”

As of now, Theatrics is taking appointments only at 561-623-7026. In the summer, the store will be open five days a week, then seven days a week for September and October’s Halloween season.