This document provides costume designs for the characters in Anton Chekhov's play "The Seagull". It is set in 1890s rural Russia. The costumes will feature neutral colors like brown, black, grey and blue to reflect the time period. Women will wear long conservative dresses while men wear slacks and blazers. Specific character designs are then described, including Konstantin Treplev in dark formal wear, Irina Arkadina in an emerald dress, and Nina Zarechnayain a grey cotton dress. Boris Trigorin's design includes a checked suit while Sorin and Medvedenko wear tailored wool suits.

1. THE
SEAGULL
By: Anton Chekhov
Costume Designer
Mai Levilyn Ngo
Group 59

2. HISTORICAL STYLE
 The Seagull is a tragedy play that includes formal and dignified clothing
creating a serious ambience.
 The play took place in summer 1895-1897 located on Sorin’s estate and
farm

3. CAST COSTUMES
The Seagull setting occurs in 1890’s in Southern Russia , so the characters
costume will be mainly neutral colors such as brown, black, tan, vanilla, white
grey, and blue for denims. Women wore conservative dresses such as
flowy, long skirts and dresses paired with a blouse and flats or sandals. The
men wore blazers and slacks paired with dress shoes.

4. KONSTANTIN TREPLEV
 Treplev is a young, idealistic and
often desperate writer who lives in the
shadow of his famous mother,
Arkadina. He is one of the protagonist
in the play.
 Costume: long coat, formal slacks,
tie and buttoned down collar. The
color scheme of his outfit will be
black, grey and brown. The texture will
be made out of wool and cotton. He
will wear a hat with his hair combed.
 Symbolically, Treplev conveys the
theme of evaluating the self,
existentialism and life’s meaning, and
artist and in love.

5. IRINA ARKADINA
•
•
She is a middle-aged woman who is
still beautiful but whose beauty and
fame have passed their prime.
Arkadina is a member of the
aristocracy in Russia. She is one of
the protagonist in the play.
Costume: nice blouse with long
skirt made of silk. Colors will be
cream and emerald green. Her hair
will be in an up-do. She will be
wearing pearls on her neck to
compliment her dress. She will have
very heavy make up.

6. NINA ZARECHNAYA
 Nina is a nineteen-year-old neighbor of
Sorin's estate who grew up in an estate. She is
one of the protagonist in the play.
 Costume: a dark grey and black sophisticated
dress made out of cotton with her hair in a
curly up-do with a butterfly pin. She will also
wear a pearl necklace.
 Symbolically, Nina conveys the theme of
existentialism and life’s meaning when she tries
to find the meaning of her life believing that
she will find her identity through her work as an
actress. She will lastly have minimal makeup.

7. BORIS TRIGORIN
 Arkadina's lover, Trigorin, is an esteemed
Russian writer of fiction stories and novels.
Trigorin is a member of the the elite Russian
intelligensia and artistic community. He is one
of the protagonist.
 Costume: tailored checkered suit with a
black buttoned up underneath with a black
blazer made of wool. He will wear a tan hat.
 Symbolically, Trigorin helps to convey the
theme of the role of the artist and in love. He
has the satisfaction of success in his writing
but is never satisfied. He pursues Nina because
he feels that she is the substitution in that lack
of satisfaction and will complete that.

8. SORIN
 Sorin is the sixty-year-old
landowner of the estate where
the play takes place. He spent
his life working for a
government office and retired
to his country farm.
 Costume: Formal, tailored
wool suit with white collared
buttoned up. He will have grey
hair and beard. He will also be
carrying a cane.

9. MASHA
 Masha is the daughter of Paulina and
Shamrayev, the managers of Sorin's
farm. She wears all black all of the time
because she is depressed and hates her
life. A heavy drinker and snuff addict,
she indulges in a lot of bad habits. She is
in love with Treplev.
 Costume: black, cotton dress with
fluffy shoulder sleeves. Her hair will be
in an up-do. She will have a grey wig and
a pearl necklace on. She will lastly have
natural make up on.

10. ILYA SHAMRAYEV
 Shamrayev is father to Masha
and husband to Paulina. He acts as
the manager of Sorin's farm and
household year round.
 Costume: black jacket with a
jacket, slacks and boots. He will
have a belt for the long black
jacket. He will have long side
burns connecting to his mustache
and very short hair.

11. SEMYON MEDVEDENKO
 Medvedenko is a local schoolteacher
who is poor and must support his family at
home while later supporting his new family
with Masha. He is a boring
conversationalist because he spends most
of his time complaining about his poverty.
 Costume: long trench coat with vest
and tie along with slacks. He also has on
glasses. He is dressed more to look like a
professor since he is a school teacher. He
will be wearing small glasses.