Come Look At The Freaks: Costume Designs for Temple University's Production of Side Show

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to recount the creative process used when designing the costumes for Temple University’s Fall 2018 production of Side Show. The process is chronicled from the first assignment of the production, to reading the play, then through the process of gathering research, the initial design process and subsequent revisions, the final renderings, and into the process of building and implementing the author’s designs into a fully realized production. Subjects include the historical life of the Hilton Twins, the realities of side show performers, the changing fashions of the 1920s and 1930s, the process of creating unique, unconventional costumes, and the process of collaborating with costume shop staff. The author will reflect on the successes and difficulties of mounting a large, unique musical.