Unit
Tech Theatre Unit: Costuming When You Don't Sew
Created by Drama Teacher Academy
In this unit, students will take on the role of the costumer, which is different from a costume designer. It introduces costuming concepts in order to execute a costume. No complicated sewing is required, which is great if you don’t have the background, the access, or the resources to have a class of students create costumes.
Instead of making costumes from scratch, as a designer would, students will create costumes from stock, borrowed items, or low-cost finds. They will take finished products and adapt them into what they need to create the right atmosphere.
In order to help with their adaptations, students will try different distressing techniques and learn three SIMPLE stitches that they’ll be able to use over and over again. It’s a valuable tech theatre skill to teach students how to execute on costumes when you (and they) don’t sew!
Start here
The overview lays out the objectives and structure for the unit, include lesson pacing, materials required, and assessment strategy.
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1-3Lesson 1-3Part 1: Introduction to a Theatrical Role: CostumerA costume designer and a costumer are two different things. A costume designer creates pieces from the drawing board to the stage while a costumer pulls from already existing pieces to create fully realized characters. This means the approach is different. With costuming, there is no such thing as a perfect costume. But there are costumes that create the right atmosphere. In these lessons, students will be introduced to the role of the costumer.
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4Lesson 4Part 2: Lesson 1: Analyzing Your ShowIn this lesson, students start the costuming process for a specific play through analysis. Then they will be assigned (or choose) the character they will design for, as well as a specific costume. They will be given time to answer some analysis questions for this specific character and costume. Students complete these analysis questions in advance of the next lesson.
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5Lesson 5Part 2: Lesson 2: Inspiration CollageStudents will take what they’ve learned so far to create a digital Inspiration Collage as a way to help them visualize the costume they will create.
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6Lesson 6Part 2: Lesson 3: Measuring, and the Three StitchesStudents will learn how to set up the costume racks to prepare for costuming a show. Students will then learn how to take proper measurements by measuring each other. They will fill out a standard costume measurement form. Then, after instruction on how to do the three stitches that can help them to complete alterations, they will practice these stitches by creating a pincushion.
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7Lesson 7Part 2: Lesson 4: Costume WorkshopIn this lesson, students will learn some distressing techniques and complete a distressing activity. After this activity, students will start pulling items for their costume designs as indicated by their Inspiration Collages. Students will then prep for a design presentation and costume parade after a work period in the next class.
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8Lesson 8Part 2: Lesson 5: Design Presentations and Costume ParadeStudents will show their Inspiration Collages, their costumes, and their slide decks. They will explain why they made their choices and how it reflects their understanding of the character and the play. Students will do as much as possible to realize their costumes, given the resources available and the time they’ve had to work on the project, and describe what they would do to complete their costumes.
Standards Addressed
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Proficient
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Accomplished
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Advanced
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 6
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 6
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
- TH:Cr2.1.7.a Examine and justify original ideas and artistic choices in a drama/theatre work based on critical analysis, background knowledge, and historical and cultural context.
- TH:Cr2.1.7.b Demonstrate mutual respect for self and others and their roles in preparing or devising drama/theatre work.
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 7
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 7
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
- TH:Cr2.1.8.a Articulate and apply critical analysis, background knowledge, research, and historical and cultural context to the development of original ideas for a drama/theatre work.
- TH:Cr2.1.8.b Share leadership and responsibilities to develop collaborative goals when preparing or devising drama/theatre work.
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 8
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 8
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Proficient
- TH:Cr2.1.HSI.a Explore the function of history and culture in the development of a dramatic concept through a critical analysis of original ideas in a drama/theatre work.
- TH:Cr2.1.HSI.b Investigate the collaborative nature of the actor, director, playwright, and designers and explore their interdependent roles in a drama/theatre work.
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Proficient
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Accomplished
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade HS Accomplished
- TH:Re8.1.HSII.a Develop detailed supporting evidence and criteria to reinforce artistic choices, when participating in or observing a drama/theatre work.
- TH:Re8.1.HSII.b Apply concepts from a drama/theatre work for personal realization about cultural perspectives and understanding.
- TH:Re8.1.HSII.c Debate and distinguish multiple aesthetics, preferences, and beliefs through participation in and observation of drama/theatre work.
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Advanced
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Advanced
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade HS Advanced
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 6
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Proficient
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Accomplished
- TH:Cr3.1.HSII.a Use the rehearsal process to analyze the dramatic concept and technical design elements of a devised or scripted drama/theatre work.
- TH:Cr3.1.HSII.c Re-imagine and revise technical design choices during the course of a rehearsal process to enhance the story and emotional impact of a devised or scripted drama/theatre work.
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade HS Accomplished
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Advanced
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade HS Advanced
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