How to Design Stage Costumes
Costumes are essential to the believability and success of a stage production in the theater. Designing costumes is a job that is fun, creative and challenging. Many factors must be considered when costuming a show, and if you follow these steps you can be on your way to experiencing the immense satisfaction of seeing your designs on stage.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Pencils
- Paper
- Period costume books
- Material swatches
- Material and/or clothing pieces
- Ironing board
- Zippers
- Buttons
- Velcro
- Hook and eyes
- Hangers
- Costume racks
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Safety pins
- Straight pins
- Hot glue gun and sticks
- Thread
- Needles
- Patterns
- Iron
- Thimbles
- Seam rippers
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Planning
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1
Measure everyone who will be performing in the play. This includes the bust (or chest for women), waist, hips, length from waist to knees, length from waist to instep, around upper arm, around wrists, shoulder to shoulder and shoulder to wrist. Record these measurements on individual charts for each actor.
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2
Talk to the director of the play and learn her "concept" and plans for the show. Directors have their own style and ideas, and it is very important to include her at this stage of the planning.
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3
Research the time period of the play in which the costumes designs will be used. Look up pictures, colors and patterns.
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4
Determine your color palate. Color plays an important part in the presentation of the play and in the concept of the director. Keep the director in the loop at this stage of the planning. Keep in mind the skin and hair colors of your actors when planning the colors and use them to enhance, not detract the character he is playing.
Costume Creation
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1
Present the director with a set of material swatches representing the color scheme of the costumes. If you are artistic, sketch examples of the main character's planned costumes.
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2
Hire or recruit several seamstresses to help with the sewing if you are creating costumes from scratch. Cut out patterns using your selected material. If you are recycling clothing or old costumes, it is still wise to have helpers to make alterations to clothing used.
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3
Do preliminary fittings with actors, and keep a record on their individual charts of what has been done, which costume pieces are finished, what is lacking and what needs to be changed.
Finishing Touches
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1
Finish changes and final touches.
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2
Arrange with the director a time for a 'costume parade' on the theater's stage to give him a chance to view the costumes as a whole before the play opens.
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3
Lay out your costume policies and rules to the actors. Let them know what they are and are not allowed to do in their costumes, such as smoke, eat or drink. Also make it clear that they must hang up their costumes and take good care of them.
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4
Enjoy the show! Be aware that depending on the length of the run of the show, you may have to be available at the theater to make repairs to damaged costumes and wash some as well.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Be as creative as the director from your theater will let you. For example, Shakespearean plays are now often presented in a modern context so costume designs can come from just about any time period.
Remember the comfort of the actor. If the play is to be presented in the summer, outside, try to use fabrics that are lightweight if possible.
Delegate as much as possible.
Avoid the use of certain colors that can single out one actor unless it is part of the director's vision. For instance, when an actor wears white or red, few other actors on the stage are noticed.
