The Role of Costume Design in Musical Theater
Courtney Cox
5-4-10
THEA 1334
Final Paper
Costume Design
THE ROLE OF COSTUME DESIGN IN MUSICAL THEATER
Imagine a classic Shakespearian play or Italian opera performed in hip-hugging jeans or baggy t-shirts; or imagine the period musical 1776, produced by the wonderful Stuart Ostrow, performed in the groovy attire of the 1970s. These performances would seem completely out of place and confusing. One would not be able to grasp the completeness of the story or have any understanding of the time period, geographical location, or the character’s lifestyles and/or social statuses. As a result, the audience would fail to see certain emotions or feelings portrayed, character personalities, and would find it very difficult be connected to characters on a deep emotional level. To put it simply, without the important implements of impeccable make-up, accurate, and sometimes elaborate costume designs a musical would cease to be a poignant entertainment journey that takes us through a whirlwind of tears, laughter, fear, heartbreak, and happiness; an experience that leaves us with a lifetime of memories. To begin with, I would just like give a history and provide you with some interesting and/or shocking facts about the beginnings of make-up and costume design to give you a glimpse of just how far it’s come as well as where it is headed in the future with all the new technologies we have. Some of the earliest forms of costume design were the masks worn by the ancient Japanese. Throughout Japan's history, masks have been used in rituals and performances. The performer wears a mask representing a certain individual, hero, deity, devil, ghost, or legendary animal, depending on the ritual or performance. Masks have been used in Japan since the Jomon period (10,000 BC- 300BC). Some of these masks were formed from clay, and others were made of cloth. It’s not very clear what the use of these masks was other than they played a part in some forms of magic rituals of those times.
5-4-10
THEA 1334
Final Paper
Costume Design
THE ROLE OF COSTUME DESIGN IN MUSICAL THEATER
Imagine a classic Shakespearian play or Italian opera performed in hip-hugging jeans or baggy t-shirts; or imagine the period musical 1776, produced by the wonderful Stuart Ostrow, performed in the groovy attire of the 1970s. These performances would seem completely out of place and confusing. One would not be able to grasp the completeness of the story or have any understanding of the time period, geographical location, or the character’s lifestyles and/or social statuses. As a result, the audience would fail to see certain emotions or feelings portrayed, character personalities, and would find it very difficult be connected to characters on a deep emotional level. To put it simply, without the important implements of impeccable make-up, accurate, and sometimes elaborate costume designs a musical would cease to be a poignant entertainment journey that takes us through a whirlwind of tears, laughter, fear, heartbreak, and happiness; an experience that leaves us with a lifetime of memories. To begin with, I would just like give a history and provide you with some interesting and/or shocking facts about the beginnings of make-up and costume design to give you a glimpse of just how far it’s come as well as where it is headed in the future with all the new technologies we have. Some of the earliest forms of costume design were the masks worn by the ancient Japanese. Throughout Japan's history, masks have been used in rituals and performances. The performer wears a mask representing a certain individual, hero, deity, devil, ghost, or legendary animal, depending on the ritual or performance. Masks have been used in Japan since the Jomon period (10,000 BC- 300BC). Some of these masks were formed from clay, and others were made of cloth. It’s not very clear what the use of these masks was other than they played a part in some forms of magic rituals of those times.