An experience in costume design : The Wizard of Oz : [an honors thesis (HONRS 499)]

Abstract

My ideal career is working with community theatre, with an emphasis in costumes, and as such my motivation for this project stemmed from that ambition. The purpose of my creative project was to provide myself with the opportunity to practice my skills and learning in a guided experience of costume designing a production for live theatre. The target audience of my creative project was anyone interested in live theatre or theatrical clothing.My creative project consisted of designing costumes for The Wizard of Oz at Muncie Civic Theatre, performed April 28-May 6. I generated ideas with the director, Darrin Murrell, pulled costumes from Muncie Civic's extensive stock collection, made alterations as needed and built pieces from scratch as needed. I learned to accommodate for issues such as choreography and movement, quick changes, and theatrical enhancements. In addition, I learned to work with a budget and with a specific timeline for the show's requirements.The outcome of my project was a huge success. I received many compliments on the final costumes, and I gained quite a bit of insight to the costume process. I fulfilled all of my goals: utilizing skills learned from the classroom setting, gaining the experience of working with a live production and actualizing a concept through time and budget management. Though at times stressful and defeating, the project allowed me the opportunity to experience a life dream. When the final pieces came together, I was pleased with the resulting outcome.