Name ________________________ Period _____ Date ___________
Shakespeare Goes to Gravel Gulch
Costume Project
Costuming and Make-up go hand in hand. Costumes are the clothes that actors wear in a play. Costumes help
the actors portray the character. Not only do they help the audience believe in and understand the character, but
also they help the audience understand the time and place of the story. Dressing in character is no trivial matter,
for costumes differ from everyday clothes. Even for a modern show your personal wardrobe may not meet the
demands of the play. Fabrics, styles, and colors that are attractive in life may be unsuitable for the theatre.
Costume design requires much study and experience. This assignment will initiate you into the field of
costuming so that you will be better able to dress in various roles. You will become a costume designer and
creator.
What requirements must a designer meet?
1. The costumes of the designer must readily reveal to the audience the character’s
personality.
2. The costumes must reveal the social position of the character, including age, occupation,
and wealth.
3. The costumes must reflect the setting of the play, both time and place.
Costumes should be carefully planned. When planning the costume, study the period;
research in costume books, encyclopedias, old magazines, and paintings. What must you think
about when planning your costume?
1. Consider the line or silhouette. It projects the period of the play. For example, a short,
straight “sack” silhouette is indicative of the 1920’s. There are three basic types of
silhouette: The draped line (like an Indian sari), the fitted line (like men’s tights in
Shakespearean times), and the combination line (like fitted bodice and draped skirt).
2. Consider the choice of fabric. Fabric helps to suggest social status. For example,
luxurious texture suggests wealth, while rough textures suggest poverty. The weight is
important as well. A regal robe requires bulky material. The Mademoiselle Gallette’s
show troupe costumes in Shakespeare Goes to Gravel Gulch need light weight material
that will allow it to flow easily.
3. Consider color. Proper choice of color will help establish the play’s mood and the
personality of the character. For example, blues and greens are restful, red conveys
danger or anger, and black denotes tragedy, purple suggests royalty, and while is
associated with purity and innocence.
4. Consider decoration. Decoration includes the trim (such as buttons and lace), accessories
(such as hats, shoes, fans, canes), and jewelry.
COSTUME PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS:
SKETCHES (FORMATIVE GRADES)—Brainstorm costume ideas using the Costume
Brainstorming Worksheet. Design three costumes on the forms. Use color pencils and
crayons and label each piece. Select or combine pieces of the three costumes you
created. Draw with pencil only the costume with all details on the big form (single
person form page).
FINAL RENDERING (SUMMATIVE GRADE)—With teacher’s instructions trace the
outline onto plain white paper. Color and design the form on plain white paper. Cut out
the white paper costume creation, leaving a small edge of white around the costume.
Glue the drawing onto a piece of construction paper. Add fabric and examples of
accessories and label the construction paper. Place the title of the play and the character
name on the front of the construction paper. Place your name with pencil on the back of
the paper.
MODEL (SUMMATIVE GRADE)—Bring a doll to class (Barbie, Ken, G.I. Joe, etc.)
Use fabric scraps, glue, thread and needles, scissors, to make your sketch come to life.
You are making clothing so please be as neat and as exact as possible, but more
importantly… BE CREATIVE!!
