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

What is costume in drama?

Costume refers to the clothing, accessories, and makeup worn by actors/actresses during a dramatic performance. 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?

Character identification

• Helps the audience identify who each character is
• Shows the character’s profession, social status, and personality
• Makes it easier to distinguish between different characters

Setting the time period

• Indicates when the story takes place (ancient times, modern day, future)
• Historical costumes help transport the audience to different eras

Establishing location and culture

• Shows where the story is happening
• Reflects cultural backgrounds and traditions
• Demonstrates 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

• Changes in costume can show character development
• Special costumes for important scenes (weddings, battles)
• Helps advance the plot through visual storytelling

What are the types of costumes?

1. Historical costumes: Clothing from specific time periods (Roman togas, Victorian dresses, 1920s fashion)
2. Contemporary costumes: Modern, everyday clothing that characters might wear in current times
3. Fantasy/imaginative costumes: Creative designs for mythical creatures, superheroes, or fictional characters
4. National/traditional costumes: Cultural dress representing different countries or ethnic groups (Agbada, Sari, Kimono)
5. Occupational costumes: Uniforms and work clothes that show specific jobs (police uniform, nurse outfit, construction worker gear)

What are the elements of costume design?

1. Colour: Choice of colours to represent character traits or emotions
2. Fabric/material: Different textures create different effects (silk for wealth, cotton for simplicity)
3. Accessories: Hats, jewellery, bags, shoes that complete the character’s look
4. Condition: Whether costumes are new, old, clean, or worn out
5. Fit and style: How the costume fits the actor’s body and the style choices made

What should be considered when choosing costumes?

• Costumes must allow actors to move freely and perform their roles
• They should be appropriate for the character’s age, status, and personality
• Climate and weather in the story should influence costume choices
• Budget constraints often require creative solutions in costume design
• Cultural sensitivity must be observed when using traditional costumes

What are some examples of costume use in drama?

• School uniforms in school drama productions
• Royal robes and crowns for kings and queens
• Rags and patches for poor characters
• Military uniforms for soldier characters
• Animal costumes for children’s plays
• Traditional wear for 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.