1. Costuming
Theatre Arts

2. Vocabulary
Costume: An outfit, including accessories and undergarments, worn by an actor in a production.
Costume crew: The committee in charge of costuming the show. Their main responsibilities:
Design the costumes
Supply the costumes (make/borrow/buy/reuse)
Assist with costume changes and emergencies backstage
Clean the costumes
Costume plot: a chart listing each character, the acts or scenes in which they appear, and all undergarments, garments and accessories needed.

3. Costume Plot Example Play: Calling Dr. Curemee Date: November 12-13
Act 3, Scene 2
Character
Actor
Costume
Accessories
Notes
Sylvia
Megan
Blue silk dress
Hat, scarf, heels
Help tie scarf over shoulder
Walter
Eric
Brown suit
Spectator shoes, pipe, glasses
Grandma
Andrea
Blue bathrobe
Slippers, tissue box
Must look very rumpled
Bobby
Justin
Jeans and T-shirt
Baseball cap, glove
Suzie
Jackie
Soccer uniform
Soccer ball, water bottle
Dr. Curemee
Roberto
Blazer, navy pants, white shirt, tie
Stethoscope, notepad, pencil
Taken from Glencoe’s Exploring Theatre, Nancy Prince & Jeanie Jackson, (c) 2005

4. Why are Costumes Important?
Help the audience “see” the characters. They show them the character’s:
Age
Personality
Tastes
Social standing
Occupation
Help the actors feel and move as characters rather than as themselves

5. Things Designers Consider
Actors’ Sizes/Shapes
Time Periods
Geography
Character Personalities

6. Sweeney Todd Costume Design Part 1

7. Sweeney Todd Costume Design Part 2

8. You Be the Designer! Read Petrouchka
Choose two characters to design costumes for (1 male, 1 female)
Costume Design Project
Do a costume plot
Draw your creations
Explain your choices