Mookie Riffic

v Dressing in character is important
Ø Costumes differ from everyday clothes
Ø Even for modern day settings
Ø Fabrics and styles that are attractive in life may be unsuitable for theater
v All costumes must meet certain requirements
d Reveal to audience he characters:
x Personality
x Taste
x Age
x Wealth
x Social position
Ø Enable audience to differentiate between characters
Ø Be appropriate to physical theater
d If small theater-more attention to detail needed
d If large theater- less detail necessary, more exaggerated, simplified
Ø Reflect the mood and style of production
d Comedies=bright colors and light weight fabric
d Tragedies=subdued colors and heavy fabrics
d Period plays must conform to: fashion, line, and material.
Ø Unified with the whole production
Ø Acceptable to the actor
d Not an excuse for actor to be finicky and demanding
d Should fit correctly
Ø Should be designed for any quick costume changes.
v In designing the costumes, consider:
Ø Line -silhouette (projects period)
d 3 types of lines
x Draped line- rectangular material that falls in folds and is pinned or gathered at shoulders or waist.
Þ I.e. Togas (Rome), Chiton (Greece), & Sari (India)
x Fitted- cut and sewn to emphasize the body
Þ I.e. Men’s tights, matador costumes, sheath dresses (50’s & 60’s)
x Combination- mixes of fitted and draped
Ø Line of costume and trim can produce a psychological effect
d Vertical lines:
x Give height
x Imply stateliness
x Dignity
x Strength
d Horizontal lines:
x Add width
x Suggest calmness
d Diagonal lines
x Convey action
x Excitement
Ø Fabric-
d Consider price- usually get away with substitutes
x Examples:
Þ Muslim stenciled with a design instead of Brocade
Þ Wool can be Burlap, monks cloth, terry cloth
Þ Cotton, flannel, or corduroy for velvet
Þ Unbleached Muslim looks like linen at distance
Þ Paper or plastic doilies for lace
d Weight- texture, determines how costume will hang and move
d Color-
x Must either harmonize or contrast with:
Þ Others
Þ Set
Þ Furniture
Þ Props
x If same as background, the audience ‘looses’ the actors
x Solid colors are generally used. Prints don’t carry far
x Principal characters should wear bolder colors
Þ I.e. Red, black, white
x Groups can wear same colors or hues
x Proper choice in color will convey mood
Þ Black denotes tragedy
Þ Red conveys danger or anger
Þ Blues and greens are restful
Þ Purple suggests royalty
Þ White is innocence and purity
x If proper color is not available- Dye it.
Ø Decoration
d All decoration must be used sparingly and be slightly exaggerated.
x Trim- buttons and lace
x Accessories- shoes, hats, etc.
x Jewelry- watches, bracelets
d Avoid white footwear
d Avoid glitter
d Use ‘dime’ stores and thrift shops for accessories
d Make sure there are no anachronism
v Modified Authenticity is simplified costumes for the stage.
Ø I.e. Hats and other accessories redesigned to show face
v Special undergarments are needed for “Period Costumes” if authentic is to be acquired
v Do your research for the costumes.
Ø Understand why, how, and when
v Accessories should be used sparingly
Ø For uncommon accessories or costumes, use Practice Costumes for rehearsals
v 3 ways to obtain costumes
Ø Borrow
Ø Rent
d Can be pricey
d Send exact measurements and colors to Rental Place
d Obtain rentals at least one week before performance
Ø Making costumes
d Create a sewing committee
x They will make, design, and create patterns for costumes
d Costumes should be durable with wide seams for alterations
d Make skirts about 2 inches longer
d Skirts and sleeves should cover nearest joint if they are to be attractive
d Should be completed one week before performance
v Costume Crew
Ø Assists director with costume design
Ø Makes costume-change charts
Ø Cleans dressing rooms
Ø Helps actors
Ø Presses costumes
Ø Keeps them in good repair

coppied directly from Microsoft Word where I origionaly typed my notes. Also it was organized, with intentions and bullets and all. But MT wont recognize them.