Costume in Drama – JSS1 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Third Term)

What is costume in drama?

Costume is the clothing, accessories and makeup worn by actors and actresses during a dramatic performance.

• Clothing: the dresses, wrappers, trousers, caps and robes the actor wears on stage.
• Accessories: items that complete the look, such as hats, beads, bags and shoes.
• Makeup: face and body painting that changes how a character looks.
• Purpose: it is a visual element of drama that helps bring characters to life on stage.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define costume in drama.
2. State the importance of costume in drama.
3. List the types of costumes, with examples.
4. Name the elements of costume design.
5. State the basic considerations when choosing costumes.

Why is costume important in drama?

Costume is important because it tells the audience who a character is, when and where the story happens, and how the character feels.

Character identification

• Who is who: helps the audience identify each character.
• Background: shows the character’s profession, social status and personality.
• Difference: makes it easier to tell one character from another.

Setting the time period

• Time: indicates when the story takes place (ancient times, modern day, future).
• Historical dress: helps carry the audience to a different era.

Establishing location and culture

• Place: shows where the story is happening.
• Culture: reflects cultural backgrounds and traditions.
• Identity: shows regional or national identity.

Conveying mood and emotion

• Dark colours: may suggest sadness or evil.
• Bright colours: often indicate happiness or celebration.
• Torn or dirty costumes: can show poverty or distress.

Supporting the story

• Character development: a change in costume can show that a character has changed.
• Special scenes: important scenes such as weddings and battles need special costumes.
• Plot: costume helps advance the story through what the audience sees.

What are the types of costumes?

There are five types of costumes: historical, contemporary, fantasy, national or traditional, and occupational.

• Historical costumes: clothing from specific time periods, such as Roman togas, Victorian dresses and 1920s fashion.
• Contemporary costumes: modern, everyday clothing that characters wear in current times, such as jeans, T-shirts and school uniform.
• Fantasy or imaginative costumes: creative designs for mythical creatures, superheroes or fictional characters.
• National or traditional costumes: cultural dress that represents a country or an ethnic group, such as agbada, sari and kimono.
• Occupational costumes: uniforms and work clothes that show a specific job, such as a police uniform, nurse outfit or construction worker gear.

Quick comparison of the types

What are the elements of costume design?

The elements of costume design are the parts a designer plans to make a costume suit a character: colour, fabric, accessories, condition, and fit and style.

1. Colour: the choice of colours to represent character traits or emotions.
2. Fabric or material: different textures create different effects, such as silk for wealth and cotton for simplicity.
3. Accessories: hats, jewellery, bags and shoes that complete the character’s look.
4. Condition: whether the costume is new, old, clean or worn out.
5. Fit and style: how the costume fits the actor’s body and the style choices made.

How do colours help to show character and mood?

Colour tells the audience something about a character before the actor speaks.

• Note: the meaning of a colour can differ from one culture to another.

How are costumes prepared for a play?

Costumes are prepared in steps, from reading the script to caring for the clothes after the show.

1. Read the script and list every character.
2. Decide the time, place and mood of each scene.
3. Choose the colour, fabric and accessories for each character.
4. Borrow, buy, sew or adapt the costumes within the budget.
5. Let each actor try the costume and check the fit.
6. Use the costumes at rehearsal to see if the actors can move freely.
7. Wash, mend and store the costumes after the performance.

What should be considered when choosing costumes?

A good costume must suit the character and also be practical for the actor and the production.

• Movement: costumes must allow actors to move freely and perform their roles.
• Character: they should be appropriate for the character’s age, status and personality.
• Climate: the weather in the story should influence the choice.
• Budget: limited money often calls for creative solutions in costume design.
• Cultural respect: cultural sensitivity must be observed when using traditional costumes.

What are some examples of costume use in drama?

• School uniform: used in school drama productions.
• Royal robes and crowns: worn by kings and queens.
• Rags and patches: worn by poor characters.
• Military uniform: worn by soldier characters.
• Animal costumes: common in children’s plays.
• Traditional wear: used in cultural performances.

Evaluation

1. Define costume in drama.
2. State three reasons why costume is important in drama.
3. List the five types of costumes.
4. Name the five elements of costume design.
5. Give two things to consider when choosing a costume for a character.

Assignment

Choose any three types of costumes. For each one, explain what it is and give one example.