Costume Design and The Drowsy Chaperone A concise explanation of how the costume designer envisions and creates costumes for a production with examples from Theatre UCF’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone.

Overview Script Analysis Concept & Research Design Meetings Preliminary and Final Designs Shopping/Pulling Construction Process Fittings Dress Rehearsals Show Maintenance Strike

Script Analysis Read Script for enjoyment and overall tone. Read the script again for details: Time, Place, Social Structure, Specific Clothing References, Quick Changes, etc. Create a page breakdown noting what each character will be wearing in each scene and detailing possible quick changes. Continue to read the script throughout the design process in order to delve deeply into the individual characters and their motivations.

Concept and Research Based on your reading and analysis, form a concept of how you plan to approach the design. This is usually a decision made in tandem with the Director. Look for visual research to inspire and inform you as to the details of the world of the play. Pay particular attention to the silhouette of a Period show and whether it involves corsetry or padding to adapt the figure.

Research for The Drowsy Chaperone

Design Meetings What does the director see as the mode and form of the play? What theme or concept has the director developed for the play? How does the director see the characters? What is the cast size and breakdown? How many costume changes does the director see for each character? How much is the budget? What are the director’s priorities? When will casting be completed? How does your vision fit with that of the other designers? What rehearsal items will be needed and when? Share research and then create preliminary sketches and then final designs. Agree on a master schedule and deadlines for the production with all production areas.

Preliminary Designs

Final Designs

Shopping/Pulling GolfKnickers.com Lacey Costume Wigs Theatre House PULL LIST Tottendale - Dress from Leading Ladies Janet – Dress from Most Happy Fella Chaperone – Dress from Cabaret Monkeys – Jackets from Spring Awakening Man in Chair – Sweater from Virginia Woolf George – Suit from No Sex Please… Reporters – Costumes from Side Show Adolpho – Smoking Jacket from Largo Kitty – Red Costume From Dames at Sea Lacey Costume Wigs Theatre House

Construction Process Draper Meeting Pattern Creation Draping or Flat Patterning Mock Up Construction 1st Fitting Pattern Correction Fashion Fabric Construction Second Fitting Finishing Touches

Fittings

Dress Rehearsals

Show Maintenance Wardrobe Check In and Check Out Quick Change Training Wardrobe Crew Reports Shop Repairs versus Crew Repairs Wig Styling Supply Replenishing Wear and Tear Laundry and Pressing

Strike Final Check In Dry Cleaning Final Laundering Returning Items to Stock Wig washing Restoring Dressing Rooms Assessing usefulness of garments