2. Role of a Costume Designer
Help establish the style of a production.
Indicate the historical period of a play and the locale in which it occurs.
Indicate the nature of individual characters or groups in a play--Their stations in life, their
occupations, their personalities.
Show relationships among characters--separating major characters from minor ones,
contrasting one group from another.
Where appropriate, symbolically convey the significance of individual characters or the
theme of the play.
Meet the needs of individual performers, making it possible for an actor or actress to
move freely in a costume, perhaps to dance or engage in a swordfight, and, when
required, to change quickly from one costume to another.
Be consistent with the productions a whole, especially other visual elements.
3. Style and Historical Period
Modern satirical comedy
During 2007
Modern day clothing
Design objective
Each character’s personality must show through their
clothing
Clothing must depict or add to setting of play
4. Costume Changes
The entirety of the play takes place in one day
Costume changes are not necessary until the end
where the characters wear black are at the memorial
service
7. Jonathan
Character description:
A young man that is very much in love with Ariel
In his twenties
Costume description:
Modern, conservative, and somewhat trendy clothes
Classic side-part hairstyle
Specific scenes:
Beginning scene: minimalist clothing style, no coat
Throughout the play: fitted, long sleeve blue cotton shirt and
jeans
Memorial service: simple black coat and jeans
9. Frank
Character description:
Father of Jonathan
Husband of Maria
Has a lover named Edwina
Costume description:
Rugged, less trendy and more practical clothing for the winter
Long thermal shirt and a dark leather jacket to convey a
masculine image
Scruffy beard and tussled hair
Specific scene:
Memorial service: black t-shirt and simple jacket
11. Francois
Character description:
The French lover of Maria
Suave character and very European in appearance and
personality
Costume description:
Slicked back hair
Extremely trendy and promiscuous clothing
Chic button up shirt with the top buttons undone
A black turtle neck sweater to wear during the ceremony
13. Bob and Steven
Character descriptions:
Pizza delivery boys with surprising amount of wisdom
Men in their late twenties
Costume descriptions:
Dated and ill fitting clothing to reflect their roles as
delivery boys and to also make their knowledge about
Plato and love more surprising to the other characters
Both wear large coats and one wears a beanie while the
other sports a backwards cap
The characters are somewhat a comic relief and so they
are dressed in a somewhat eccentric manner
15. Deacon
Character description:
The deacon comes to preside over the ceremony
Costume description:
a suit and tie that is not particularly stylish
17. Ariel
Character description:
A young lady that is slightly naïve and in love with Jonathan
Costume description:
Her fashion is similar to that of Jonathan
Slightly trendy clothes but still on the more conservative side
Dark violet clothing
Show her delicate and fragile nature
Reflect she is also a passionate person
Relaxed ponytail hairstyle
Pink lipstick and a rosy blush
A black peacoat to wear during the mourning ceremony
19. Maria
Character description:
Mother of Jonathan and wife of Frank. She is here with her
lover Francois
She is a middle aged woman
Costume description:
Wears a negligee according to play details
Red clothing
Reflect her passion and lust for Francois
She also has a silk robe to put on to cover up as more people
show up
Loose curly hairstyle to show sex appeal
Smoky eye makeup, red lipstick, and rosy blush
21. Edwina
Character description:
Frank’s lover
Early thirties
High maintenance and whiny
Costume description:
Trendy clothing style
More layers and clothing than other characters to show
sensitiveness to weather which symbolizes her sensitive
personality
Scarf
Gloves
Boots
Heavy coat
23. Bertha
Character description:
An older woman who fears her lover has fallen through
the ice
Local resident in the area who went ice fishing
Costume description:
Functional clothes and dresses warmly
Makeup to show wrinkles around the face to show age
Light, fair foundation
Light pink lipstick, minimal pink blush
25. Hilda
Character description:
Bertha’s lover who fell through the ice
Straight forward, older character
Costume description:
Dresses according to the need of the weather
Not fashionable clothing
27. Jaqueline
Character description:
Doctor who comes to make a house call for Hilda
Former lover of Francois
Woman of status
Costume description:
Fashionable, somewhat provocative clothing underneath
her professional doctor coat
Deep red lipstick and smoky eye shadow
Seductive vibe
Suggestive clothing and makeup to show why Francois had
an affair with her
