COSTUME DESIGN WORKSHEET Created by Hilary Bell One rule: You can only use stuff that you find What about shoes? Or are they around the house, or borrow from a friend. You’re not allowed to buy anything! Even the things you barefoot? make must be created from what’s already there. Is there one thing each character can wear that helps the audience know who or what they are? It’s time to dress your characters! Eg a crown for a queen, a wand for a sorcerer, a tail for a dragon? The first question to ask is how do You can use all kinds of things to create costumes: they dress? clothes that your family already owns, or else sheets, towels, bedspreads, curtains, tablecloths, • For comfort? tied on with belts or scarves – these can become • For practical reasons (eg a uniform; sports capes, head-dresses and skirts. wear; an apron to keep clean)? • To impress other people (with their wealth, You can make things too: a crown can be cut out of or glamour, or toughness)? cardboard, painted and decorated with beads. • To stand out in a crowd? • To avoid drawing attention to themselves? • Are they fashion-conscious? Make-up: Or don’t they care? How can you use make-up or face-paint to • Do they like bright colours? Earthy colours? become a character? Black, white, grey? • If you want to make your ghost pale, try Do they have something on their baby powder or flour. head? • If your pirate gets measles, lipstick makes good red spots. • A wig? • Draw on a moustache, or make a beard out • A hat? of yarn or cotton-wool. • A crown? • A swim-cap? Masks: Do they have any other accessories? Draw a life-size face on paper or cardboard, cut it out, attach with elastic. ( Don’t forget to cut out • Scarf? eye-holes! ) It can cover your whole face, or just • Cane? your eyes. • Handbag? • Jewellery? Change your shape: • Spectacles or sunglasses? Cushions make good bellies, bums, or pregnant tummies. Make a tail by stuffing one leg of a pair of tights with rags or t-shirts, then tie around your waist using the other leg. How might you make wings or animal ears?

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Useful words

Costume Designer The person who designs the clothes for a play Costume fitting The costume is tried on the actor before it’s finished, to make sure it fits properly Head of Wardrobe Person in charge of a theatre’s costume department Quick change When the actor has to change costumes fast, often in the wings rather than the dressing room Dresser Helps the actors with quick changes Distress Make a costume look old, or worn, or dirty Underdressing Useful in quick changes: the actor wears something basic beneath, that can have other elements added to it.

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