LibGuides: Performing Arts Home: Drama

Introduction

Welcome to the drama guide. Here you will find key resources and links for different topics. As you can see, not all topics have content yet. Keep checking back for updates.

Behind the scenes

Books

Maker Comics: Create a Costume! by Sarah Myer The comic convention is just a few short weeks away. All Bea and Connor need now are great costumes but won't they cost a fortune to make? Not if they follow some simple instructions from Bea's pet hamster: Costume Critter, the world's cutest cosplayer! With Create a Costume! you can create fun, easy, budget-friendly costumes. And you don't have to start from scratch: a few simple modifications can transform thrift store clothes into a variety of costumes. Even mastering the sewing machine isn't as hard as it looks! You can make amazing costumes--all you need are the right tools, a little know-how, and a lot of imagination.
ISBN: 9781250152084

Publication Date: 2019-08-06
Shakespeare and Costume by Patricia Lennox (Editor); Bella Mirabella (Editor) Inspired by new approaches in performance studies, theatre history, research in material culture and dress history, a rich discussion of the many aspects of costume in Shakespearean performance has begun. Shakespeare and Costume furthers this research, bringing together varied and stimulating essays by leading scholars that consider costume from literary, dramatic, design, performative and theatrical perspectives, as well as interviews with renowned theatre practitioners Jane Greenwood and Robert Morgan. The volume amply demonstrates how an analysis of the meaning of costume enriches our understanding of Shakespeare's plays. Beginning with an overview of the stage history of Shakespeare and costume, the volume looks at the historical context of clothing in the plays, considering topics such as royal self-fashioning, festive livery practices, and conceptions of race and gender exhibited in clothing choice, as well as costume in performance. Drawing on documentary evidence in designers' renderings, illustrations in periodicals, paintings, photographs, newspaper reviews and actors' memoirs, the volume also explores costume designs in specific Shakespeare productions from the re-opening of the London theatres in 1660 to the present day.
ISBN: 9781472525079

Publication Date: 2015-04-23
Costume Since 1945 by Deirdre Clancy Since the mid-20th century fashion has undergone phenomenal change at a rapid pace in the context of unprecedented social, political and cultural upheaval. This fully updated and expanded second edition of Costume Since 1945 brings this period to life through accessible, lively text and over 100 illustrations. From the austerity of the utility years to punk and protest to 21st century fast fashion and vintage style, the volume captures changes the mood and style of each era across street fashion, sportswear, formal wear from suits to couture gowns, underwear and nightclothes. Based on a wide range of sources, the author's illustrations offer engaging insights on fashion history as well as design inspiration. Written for students and scholars of costume design and fashion history, practitioners and anyone interested in historical dress, this book provides a unique perspective on fashion from a renowned international costume designer.
ISBN: 9781472524249

Publication Date: 2015-10-22
The Hero's Closet by Gillian Conahan Cosplayers rejoice! The Hero's Closet is the ultimate DIY guide to creating unique and fantastical homemade costumes   This essential handbook offers detailed, step-by-step instructions that cover the basics of sewing costumes (which often require skills not found in standard sewing guides) to help even the most novice sewists create the costumes of their dreams. A skilled crafter and avid cosplayer, Gillian Conahan walks readers through finding inspiration online and through their fandom; shares insight into translating character art into real-world garments; and offers advice on pattern selection, alterations, fabrics, and embellishment techniques. The book also features 11 original step-by-step basic patterns--such as jumpsuits, jackets, and pants. It then suggests ideas for mixing and matching these basics to create costumes of all styles, including superheroes, pirates, elves, school girls, and adventurers.   The Hero's Closet is the first how-to handbook on the art of sewing for cosplay. A must-have guide for Comic Con and Halloween, it's essential for all ambitious fans with a DIY spirit who love the idea of cosplay, but need the inspiration and technical tips to make an awesome costume.  
ISBN: 9781419723964

Publication Date: 2017-04-18

Videos

My West End: An Insight Into Working as Head of Wardrobe “Doing fashion and doing theatre and doing as many other things as you can is a good way forward.” My West End is a unique eight-part series created in partnership with Official London Theatre which shines a light on the backstage practitioners who work on some of the UK’s biggest shows. These exclusive videos reveal a whole world of possibilities for young people to be part of the next generation of technical, production and venue teams. In this episode, Head of Wardrobe Ruth McCorkindale takes us behind the scenes of the Novello Theatre to discuss her work on the critically acclaimed musical Mamma Mia! McCorkindale considers how teamwork and collaboration are an essential part of working in the wardrobe department and explains how her sewing and making skills provided her with incredible opportunities to develop in the world of theatre.
Practitioners on Practice - On Costume Design: An Interview with Katrina Lindsay Having trained at Central Saint Martin's, Katrina has created work for some of the most successful theatrical productions of the last decade, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Wonder.land, and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Katrina explains how she first encountered theatre design at the end of her school days, considers the importance of forging meaningful relationships with contemporaries, and explores design as a form of storytelling.
Encounters: Costume & Character Offering different learning opportunities for teachers to develop theatre craft and key skills, the three-part Encounters series sees working professionals discuss, demonstrate and dissect their practice. Award-winning designer Katrina Lindsay (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and The Lehman Trilogy) shares her process for creating costumes. Keywords: CPD, Continued Professional Development, Training, Careers

Websites

These are external websites and may change. If there is a problem with a link, please contact the library team.

Designing Stage Costumes - Victoria & Albert Museum An overview of the history of stage costume design, including interesting sketch examples.
What is a costume designer? - Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Details about the role of costume designer and related professionals.
Costuming - Dramatics.org An overview of the costume design process and some key tips.

Books

FX! Lighting and Sound by Jeff Larson; Paul Larson This high-interest nonfiction book dives into the history of theater, television, and movies, and details how special effects like lighting and sound have changed over time. Developed by Timothy Rasinski and featuring TIME content, this book includes essential text features like an index, captions, glossary, and table of contents. The intriguing sidebars, fascinating images, and detailed Reader's Guide prompt students to connect back to the text. The Think Link and Dig Deeper sections develop students' higher-order thinking skills. The Check It Out! section includes suggested books, videos, and websites for further reading. Aligned with state standards, this title features complex and rigorous content appropriate for students preparing for college and career readiness.
ISBN: 9781493836123

Publication Date: 2017-01-27

Videos

On Lighting: Peter Mumford Peter Mumford was the Lighting Designer on Richard Eyre's award-winning revival of Ibsen's Ghosts. Peter sheds light on how a Lighting Designer works in collaboration with the rest of a theatre company, describes how technological advances have changed the industry, and discusses his thoughts on establishing a career in a field that wasn't formally recognised until the 1950s.
My West End: An Insight Into Working as a Lighting Designer "It’s about making every scene look as if it’s relevant to the script.” My West End is a unique eight-part series created in partnership with Official London Theatre which shines a light on the backstage practitioners who work on some of the UK’s biggest shows. These exclusive videos reveal a whole world of possibilities for young people to be part of the next generation of technical, production and venue teams. In this episode, Lighting Designer Prema Mehta takes us behind the scenes of Simon Dormandy’s A Passage to India at the Park Theatre in London. Mehta explores how lighting is used to create atmosphere, signal scene changes and support the overall narrative, and highlights the importance of making brave choices when using colours on stage.

Websites

These are external websites and may change. If there is a problem with a link, please contact the library team.

What is a lighting designer? - Royal Central School of Speech and Drama In theatre and concert terms a Lighting Designer (LD) is somebody who defines the way in which the audience see a live performance. So that may sound a bit odd because surely there are directors and choreographers and so on, but if you think about it, you only see what is lit. The things that you don’t see are not lit – it’s the Lighting Designer that makes the choice between what doesn’t get lit, what does get lit, and how it gets lit.

Websites

The set design process - Melbourne Theatre Company The set design process at MTC typically takes nine months, from the initial parameters briefing through to opening night. Set and costume designer Christina Smith explains how the Berlin set evolved from page to stage.
Set design - Architectural Digest A selection of articles about set design in theatre, film and television.
A step-by-step guide to set design - Dramatics.org A walk-through of the set design process.
The set designer's job All the scenery, furniture and props the audience sees at a production of a play make up the set design. The set designer's job is to design these physical surroundings in which the action will take place.

Terminology

These glossaries provide authoritative definitions for dramatic and theatrical terminology.

These words and phrases will be very useful when searching the library catalogue and databases for resources.

AACT Theatre Terms Here you'll find over 1000 definitions of theatrical terms, from Aside, Beam Angle, and Camlock, to Upstaging, VU Meter, and Wagon. Fully searchable, our glossary is helpful for technical staff, directors, actors, producers, or anyone wanting to better understand the inner workings of theatre.

IGCSE Drama Glossary This glossary is not exhaustive and is intended as a guide. The glossary is in two sections: • General terms – terms that are representative of those used in mainstream theatre practice • Specialist technical terms – terms that are used by specialists in lighting and sound. The terms in both sections are ordered alphabetically. Unless specified, local or regional variations have not been provided.
A Level Drama Glossary This glossary is not exhaustive and is intended as a guide. The glossary is in two sections: • General terms – terms that are representative of those used in mainstream theatre practice • Specialist technical terms – terms that are used by specialists in lighting and sound. The terms in both sections are ordered alphabetically. Unless specified, local or regional variations have not been provided.

Key drama resources

GCSEPod: getting ready for KS4 drama
A selection of drama based PODs to support pupils' learning in Junior High.