Day 12 - Stage Design and Costumes

Four Important Elements in Stage Design

• Materials
• Shape and Size
• Manner of construction
• Context (the idea)

In 1948, Jenny Tiramani's parents used paper to make costumes for a children's Shakespeare production. To date, Ms. Tiramani has worked with many famous actors, including Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench in the 1988 production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. In 1993, she was part of the production of AS YOU LIKE IT at St. Clement's Church in New York City. In 2010, she begins work with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Research Jenny Tiramani to find out more about her work.

In the Globe production under Mark Rylance, Ms. Tiramani created Elizabethan and Jacobean costumes made from authentic period material; all the costumes were sewn by hand.

Notes: Clothing was so important, women would pin their clothing on rather than sew it, thus the term "pin money."

Men's legs were seen and shown off; women's legs were hidden. Investigate "The Order of the Garter."

Eighty percent of the characters in Shakespeare's play are gentlemen! Every actor would own a doublet, hose, a good cloak, and a few weapons. The acting company would have to purchase costumes for specific plays.

Research some aspect of costumes or props that were used in Shakespeare's plays.

Note: Interested students may adopt an actor at the Globe theater and follow costume and performance.