1/11 Notes

Role of a costume designer - makes an effective stage costume

- Visually defines the character
- Supports the mood of the play and the director's vision
Costumes are made to convey information to the audience
How does costume define character?
Setting
- time
- Place
Social and Play Constraints
- social status
- Rank
Physical and person attributes
- Age
- Gender
- Personality
- Changes in character

Supports Theme
- the playwright expresses a comment or a POV through the theme of the play
Supports concept and vision
- the director chooses which POV expresses what they want to say
- Costumes should reflect the directors vision
- First source of info should always be the text
Supports the mood
- the emotional feeling which surrounds the experience of the play, important to connect
costumes to the story

How do you express your ideas about theme concept and mood
Style
- realistic presents clothes as they might’ve really been
- Stylized departs from realistic, but is an illusion
Color
- effect of color is important, choice of color palette is an important first step
Scale/proportion
- determined by the needs of the production and the size of the theatre
Texture
- can suggest mood

Costume designer must effectively Interpret, Collaborate, and Execute

To begin: Analysis and Organization

 - Read the play and write down things you don’t understand, likes ideas names and words
- Reread the text
- How is the play broken down?
- Can you break down the divisions even better that’ll help you organize it better?
- List settings and times during the play
- What do you know about each character?
The Characters
- Where do you want the audience to focus? Is this consistent or does it change?
- What are the characters relationships to each other?
- Who are the actors playing the roles?
The Design concept
- Should take all previous questions into consideration
- Things like setting, mood, and style can suggest things like colors and textures
- Many times, the designer may start with a color palette
- Starting with a silhouette may be beneficial
Fabric
- The costume designers medium, the finished product
- What fabric is appropriate?
- Where are you going to shop for fabric? What resources are available?
- What if you can’t find what you need? Is there someone on staff who can create your
designs?
- If not, can YOU create your designs?
Design Development
- Create a group of thumbnail sketches for each costume in the play. Share them with
directors and designers with research and fabric swatches.
- Look at affordability and make sure it’s within the budget
- What is in stock that’s available for the production?
- What can you do to save money? What will you need to purchase?
- What kind of labor force do you need?
Finishing the product
- Get approval from the director. Will your designs work with other designers? How does
your color choices work with the lighting design and set design?
- Do things look unifies across the production?
- Create the final color renderings
- Keep the costume studio up to date on any changes
Design Execution
- Submit renderings, costume plot, and piece list to the costume studio
- Submit any additional information that many be necessary
- Check with costume studio to ensure proper staffing, skill sets etc. See how often you
presence is required in the studio.
- Meet with the shop supervisor and draper
- BE READY WITH ANSWERS. Know your designs inside and out
- When purchasing stock, do you do it yourself? Does the company use one card? Petty
cash? Does someone else have to order it?
 - Attend a few rehearsals and especially the designer rehearsals, take notes and address
concerns
Preparation for dress rehearsal
- Dress parade to see all the costumes together
- Ensure details are correct, things are balances etc

FOR PROJECTS
- Cast the play! Who’s gonna play each character?