From Concept to Costume: Documenting the Process of Design for a Virtual Theatre by Marketa Hlouskova

FESCH.TV INFORMIERT:

I costume-designed GWU’s production of The Carolina Layaway Grail by Allyson Currin. In the play, Diana’s grandfather, Duck, believes that the voices of their ancestors live inside a globe. When Duck loses his globe, she goes on a reluctant quest to retrieve it. Along the way, she meets a cast of colorful characters that represent archetypes within her hero’s journey.

I wanted to emphasize the dichotomy between Diana’s realistic life with her grandfather in the rural south and the City, where she enters a Wizard of Oz type world and the characters she meets are mystical and larger than life. I’ve decided to showcase my design for the character Sidekick, one of the archetypes from the City. I drew influence from skater fashion and contemporary urban streetwear. For the fantasy element, I drew inspiration from comic book superheroes, particularly Batman’s sidekick Robin. I also based her color palette on Robin to complement her energy and optimism.

In my presentation, I emphasize the process I worked through in designing and producing these costumes. It demonstrates how my initial ideas evolved into a fully realized costume used for performance.

To watch The Carolina Layaway Grail, visit www.corcoran.gwu.edu/past-events.
You can view more of my work at www.behance.net/marketahlouskova.