Download The Costume Design Process

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
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Script Analysis
Concept & Research
Design Meetings
Preliminary and Final
Designs
Shopping/Pulling
Construction Process
Fittings
Dress Rehearsals
Show Maintenance
Strike
Script Analysis
1.
Read Script for enjoyment and overall tone.
2.
Read the script again for details: Time, Place, Social
Structure, Specific Clothing References, Quick Changes, etc.
3.
Create a page breakdown noting what each character will be
wearing in each scene and detailing possible quick changes.
4.
Continue to read the script throughout the design process in
order to delve deeply into the individual characters and their
motivations.
Concept and Research
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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
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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
GolfKnickers.com
Shopping/Pulling
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
Construction Process
Draper Meeting
 Pattern Creation
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 Draping
or Flat Patterning
Mock Up Construction
 1st Fitting
 Pattern Correction
 Fashion Fabric Construction
 Second Fitting
 Finishing Touches
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Fittings
Dress Rehearsals
Show Maintenance
Wardrobe Check In and Check Out
 Quick Change Training
 Wardrobe Crew Reports
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 Shop
Repairs versus Crew Repairs
Wig Styling
 Supply Replenishing
 Wear and Tear
 Laundry and Pressing
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Strike
Final Check In
 Dry Cleaning
 Final Laundering
 Returning Items to Stock
 Wig washing
 Restoring Dressing Rooms
 Assessing usefulness of garments
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