September 2003 Table of Contents

Special Section: Drama
Starfish, Presidents, and Chicken Legs

By Chris Standstrom

A marvelous transformation takes place when a child is put into a costume.

Children seem to normally adapt to whatever character the costume is for; whether a super hero, animal, or historical figure. The more elaborate or outlandish the costume, the better they seem to like it, especially if playing the character allows them to do things they otherwise wouldn't necessarily be allowed to do!

Many of you have heard of the extraordinary children's musicals presented by First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, directed by Nancy Brant. Nancy is probably one of the most imaginative, creative, and dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Her passion and vision for children/music/drama are without parallel. For the past 17 years, I have had the pleasure/challenge of costuming the various characters she has used in the children's programs. When I agreed to handle this portion of the programs, I had no true idea of the vast assortment of character costumes I would be asked to design and construct. We started with almost life-sized camels and goofy Wise men in "Wise Guys and Starry Skies," to a singing Eagle in "Americakids," to a multitude of animals. Imagine sea life, nursery rhymes, super heroes, angels dressed as pilots, historical figures, snowflakes, reptiles, and yes, even food.

No doubt, most of you have created your own array of costumes and have run into the same challenges of floppy ears, emergency alterations, quick changes in outfits that outfits that have too many snaps, buttons, or ties, and hoods that hide the faces of these little actors. Through the years, we've learned a lot about what doesn't work and what works really well. We have developed seven principles of design and construction that are followed when creating the costumes.

1. Is the costume safe? Can the child see well? Is it a tripping hazard? Are their structural parts that could scratch, poke, or pinch? In the event the costume is to be lit, are any wires exposed? We have found buckram, plastic canvas, boning, and heavy interfacing to work very well instead of using wire.
2. Does the costume fit the role? Is the color bright enough for stage lighting? Is there enough detail? Will it take many extra accessory parts?
3. Is the costume comfortable? Is it hot, scratchy, or does it bind anywhere? We leave the cuffs of sleeves and the bottom of pant legs loose in any animal costumes made of fur to allow air to circulate better.
4. Does the costume "work"? Does it flow, flutter, swirl, or stretch. Can the child jump, dance, twirl, sit, run, or crawl in the outfit? Do the ears stand up, and does the tail have some "spring"?
5. Is the costume modest? Is it too revealing, too tight, too transparent? Be sure to try it on under the lights well before the performance date.
6. Is the child's face easily seen and without a lot of shadow? It is wise to keep as much away from the face as possible. Attach beaks to the bill of a cap instead of across the face. Try to avoid using costumes that have a face hole in the body of the costume. Instead, try to use a separate hood.
7. Can it be cleaned and reused? Is it storable? Most costumes will be folded and placed in a box, or hung on a hanger. If you have a foam rubber bell, Christmas tree, or crab, you may have to suspend them from the ceiling. Be sure to store any costumes in a bug free environment.

If you are renting the costumes, be sure you order them well in advance and set to arrive several days before your program. Most companies will allow you to keep them for 1 week. If you use a company where everything is done over the phone and through the mail, be very clear as to what you need the costume to look like, (send pictures or sketches) and have only one knowledgeable person do all the measuring. Be prepared to make last minute alterations. Hems can be secured with scotch tape. Have safety pins, needle, and thread available for emergencies.

If you are just beginning to develop a children's program where you will be using costumes, a good place to start is to purchase a well-made set of nativity costumes. Mary, Joseph, 2-4 angels, 2-5 shepherds, and 3 kings will service you well for years. You can add the lambs, cow, and a donkey as funds permit. You will probably use these costumes every year.

If you make your own costumes, be sure to double-stitch all stress areas, and disinfect all hats and shoes before storing them. Cardboard, sandwich-style costumes can be a very economical alternative, but make sure the child can get through the narrow passages often found in entering and exiting the stage.

I can't begin to list all the different costumes I have made over the past thirty years. I do know that the food groups and sea life where the most difficult, the animals made me sneeze, and the prissy girls were fun but tedious. The historical figures are the most interesting and easy because there are a lot of patterns and pictures to follow. Seeing a character come to life via the humor, enthusiasm, and with the exaggerated acting techniques of a child, is worth everything it may take to create the costume. Witnessing a child dressed as Abraham Lincoln reciting the Emancipation Proclamation brings tears to my eyes. Seeing a muffin, cheese, strawberry, and chicken leg dance across the stage was a memorable event. I challenge you to costume the children and watch as the message comes forth in an unforgettable way!

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