What Does a Costume Construction Thespy Entry Involve?
For a Costume Construction entry, the Thespian must present and discuss one (1) realized costume they constructed for a character from a published theatrical work. Costumes for performances of original works, poetry, fiction, screenplays, television, concerts, and/or any other medium are not permitted.
Only one (1) Thespian may be involved in the construction; collaborations are not permitted. Costumes constructed for theoretical or realized productions are acceptable.
Showcasing Your Work for the Adjudicators
The Thespian must prepare a five- to eight-minute (5-8-minute) presentation showcasing and summarizing their work. The presentation should walk the adjudicators through the process of conceptualization, collaboration, and design/construction decision-making using the specific items listed under “Required Materials.”
In addition, the Thespian should address the the general presentation prompts below as well as their choice of fabrics, colors, and embellishments, any challenges faced or deviations from the design/pattern, and if appropriate, how well the costume functioned during performances.
Presentations may be verbal or visual in format (the Thespian may speak, display a video that presents their material, or let their support materials describe their process fully; in the latter case, the support materials would need to be thorough enough to allow the adjudicators to understand all required components of the category).
Superior Rated Example
Required Materials
(Expand each item for details.)
1. A fully constructed costume that reflects the Thespian's capabilities and strengths, created to be used in a play or musical.
- The costume must be fully built/constructed by the Thespian using a publicly available or personally designed pattern, and demonstrate skilled use of the construction methods employed (i.e., hand sewing, machine stitching, building millinery, 3D modeling, etc.).
- The costume does not need to be designed by the entrant, but it should be an original concept to the realized or theoretical production for which it is designed (i.e., replica garments of Broadway costumes are not allowed). If non-original designs or patterns are used, sources must be cited and receipts must be included in the support materials.
- The garment should be finished and ready for use by an actor on stage, presented on a hanger or mannequin. If the item is an accessory, it may be presented in a box. The Thespian should not wear the costume during the presentation.
- The costume must fit the person or model for which it was built. The costume may be designed to fit the participant. If the item did not fit as planned, the Thespian should indicate how this problem was addressed during the presentation.
- The materials and supplies used to create the garment must not exceed $150 in value, exclusive of the cost of the pattern. If showcasing millinery work, the budget limit for materials is $75. If submitting both a garment and a millinery item, the total limit is $225. (An itemized expense sheet should be included in the support materials. See #2.)
2. Additional support materials presented in a binder or digitally.
Additional support materials presented in a binder or digitally (the Thespian must provide their own equipment for viewing). Any digital presentation must display the work so that the adjudicators can see details during the presentation. These materials must include:
- Research, including:
- Summary of given circumstances from the script that apply to the garment and how it functions in the play or musical.
- Additional functionality requirements specific to the way the garment is used/handled on- or backstage.
- Genre, locale, and setting of the play (or other explanation of the world of the play).
- Artistic and practical needs that impact construction.
- Sources of inspiration for design and color palette (if used).
- Pattern used for the costume construction.
- If the costume is designed, developed, and constructed from a pattern available for purchase, the pattern’s manufacturer’s information must be included. Alternatively, a pattern may be designed by the participant, and should be included in the support materials.
- If any other source other than a commercial pattern or an original creation is used, include credit and cite the source in your presentation (e.g., YouTube video, re-enactors site, AI generation, costumer’s textbook, etc.). Costume pieces, accessories, or notions that are created rather than sewn, such as 3D-printed accessories, must be detailed in the presentation.
- Itemized expense sheet with accompanying receipts for all materials used to construct the costume, such as fabric, thread, buttons, zippers, and trim.
- It is understood that there may be an occasional instance where the total value of the materials used exceeds the limit, but donated materials have been used. If this is the case, the value of the donated materials must be determined, documented, and noted on the expense sheet.
- Costume construction photo series that focuses on the process of building the costume (e.g., laying out the pattern, cutting and draping the fabric, etc.) and at least one photo of the final costume.
- Include process photos used to document and reflect on the construction of the garment itself (i.e., not photos of the participant at a sewing machine).
- The photos must depict the garment at various stages of construction and should illustrate such skills (e.g., sleeve alignment, zipper placement and insertion, seam finishes, etc.).
- Include photos of the costume on the person or model for which it was built.
Optional Materials
The Thespian may bring in photo boards or other visual aids to display along with the costume and support materials. The Thespian may also provide an optional written response to share additional information about the prop with the adjudicators.
Question & Answer Session
Following the presentation, a 4-minute Q&A session will commence in which the adjudicators may ask any questions about the construction process or the additional support materials included.
Skills Measured
The skills measured by the adjudicators during the presentation are:
- Sewing and construction skills, including application of sewing techniques, pattern use, fitting of the final garment onto the model for which it was built.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the artistic, functional, and practical constraints that impact construction choices.
- Ability to research and understand the connection between style, period, locale, genre, and other historical and cultural influences and construction choices.
- Ability to budget appropriately for the costume’s construction.
- Ability to document, present, and clearly explain and justify the process of constructing the costume and its functionality.
