Costumes!

“An effective costume is one

that engages the audience’s
subconscious store of
knowledge and experience,
helping them to identify the
individual characters even
before they speak and even
if they are silent.”
Costumes
Theatre
Production &
Design 1
Costumes
● Why do we
wear certain
clothes?
● Are people
identified by
what they
wear?
● What’s a piece
of clothing
that you
identify with?
Costumes
● Time for an
interactive
activity!
● Who are these
characters?
● How do you
know?
 Costume Design Notes
● The most visual element on stage
○ Costume worn by performer
○ To the audience, the actor and the costume is
merged into a single image: the character
 Costume Design Notes
● Costumes can help the audience understand the
relationship between the characters in a play.
○ Example: Romeo and Juliet
■ Capulets v. Montagues
■ Use of color
 Costume Design Notes
● Costumes provide information about the play or its
characters
● Costumes help to establish:
○ Period
○ Location
○ Age
○ Social position
○ Economic status
○ Personality
○ Growth
 Costume Design Notes
● Elements of Costume Design:
○ Line and Silhouette
○ Color
○ Fabric (or texture)
○ Accessories (fringe, lace, ruffles, feathers, belts,
etc…)
● Think about these elements!
● Think about the “costumes” people wear to school...
 Costume Design Notes
● Design Considerations:
○ Character
○ Theatre Space
○ Mood
○ Big Picture
○ The Actor
○ Silhouette
○ Fabric
○ Color
○ Decoration
○ Costume Sources
 Costume Design Notes
● 5 ways of obtaining finished costumes:
○ Build or make
○ Pull from stock
○ Borrow
○ Rent
○ Buy
 Costume Design Notes
● Costume Designer Responsibilities:
○ Determine dramatic groups
○ Create costume plot
○ Determine number of costumes needed for show
○ Sketch a shape or silhouette for each costume
○ Create color scheme
○ Choose fabric and accessories
○ Supervise construction and fittings
 Let’s Review!
● Costumes provide information about the play or its
characters
● Costumes help to establish:
○ Period
○ Location
○ Age
○ Social position
○ Economic status
○ Personality
○ Growth
 Let’s Review!
● Elements of Costume Design:
○ Line and Silhouette
○ Color
○ Fabric (or texture)
○ Accessories (fringe, lace, ruffles, feathers, belts,
etc…)

NOW IT’S TIME FOR...

 Project Runway: Trash Bag Edition
● In small groups, imagine what kind of character you want to
create
● Discuss and remember the following:
○ Period, Location, Age, Social position, Economic status,
Personality, Growth
● Also remember
○ Line and Silhouette
○ Color
○ Fabric (or texture)
○ Accessories (fringe, lace, ruffles, feathers, belts, etc…)
● You have trash bags and tape to use!
● Time Limit?
● Fashion show time!