Costume design is the envisioning of clothing and the overall appearance of a character or performer. Costume may refer to the style of dress particular to a nation, a class, or a period. In many cases, it may contribute to the fullness of the artistic, visual world which is unique to a particular theatrical or cinematic production. The most basic designs are produced to denote status, provide protection or modesty, or provide visual interest to a character.Costumes may be for a theater, cinema, or musical performance but may not be limited to such. Costume design should not be confused with costume coordination which merely involves altering existing clothing, although both create stage clothes.
Four types of costumes are used in theatrical design: historical, fantastical, dance, and modern.
History
Village festivals and processions in honor of Dionysus (See also: Dionysia) amongst the ancient Greeks, are believed to be the origin of theatre, and therefore theatre costume. The sculpture and vase paintings provide the clearest evidence of this costume. Because of their ritualized style of theatre many masks were used giving each character a specific look and they varied depending if they were used for comedic or dramatic purposes. Some masks were constructed with a cheerful as well as a serious side on the same face in an attempt to indicate a change in emotion without a change of mask. The same is true for the Romans, who continued the mask tradition, which made the doubling of roles easier.
The Drama Desk Awards are presented annually, by The Drama Desk Organisation and was first awarded in 1955, to recognize excellence in New York theatre productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway. Broadway productions were excluded until the 1968–69 award season. The awards are considered a significant American theatre distinction.
History
The Drama Desk organization was formed in 1949 by a group of New York theater critics, editors, reporters and publishers, in order to make the public aware of the vital issues concerning the theatrical industry. They debuted the presentations of the Vernon Rice Awards. The name honors the New York Post critic Vernon Rice, who had pioneered Off-Broadway coverage in the New York press. The name was changed for the 1963–1964 awards season to the Drama Desk Awards.
In 1974, the Drama Desk became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. In 1975, the Drama announcement of winners included the nominees as well.
The Drama Desk has more than 140 members, including theatre critics, reporters and editors who vote on the awards.
The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design is an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements in the theatre among Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions.
† - indicates the performance won the Tony Award
‡ - indicates the performance was also nominated for the Tony Award
The 56th Drama Desk Awards featuring the Design Craft Award.
published: 06 Jul 2011
Katrina Lindsay wins Best Costume Design
Katrina Lindsay wins Best Costume Design for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Olivier Awards 2017 with Mastercard ceremony.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne received its world premiere in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre in Summer 2016.
The critically acclaimed play recently became the most awarded West End production in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play and Best Director.
Katrina Lindsay’s most recent costume design credits include Bend It Like Beckham at the Phoenix Theatre, wonder.land for MIF and the National Theatre, and American Psycho for the Almeida Theatre. She designed costumes for Lyndsey Turner...
published: 18 Apr 2017
2020 Helen Hayes Awards Announcements - Outstanding Costume Design
published: 04 Sep 2020
Emilio Sosa Outstanding Costume Design Musical 'Ain't No Mo' Drama Desk 2023
Interview - Emilio Sosa (Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical) 'Ain't No Mo' - Drama Desk 2023
Esosa Interview on the Drama Desk Awards 2012 Red Carpet
ForTalent.com interviews Esosa, one of the nominees for Outstanding Costume for "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark" on the red carpet for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards 2012.
published: 05 Jun 2012
Spotlight On The Arts: Gregg Barnes, Outstanding Costume Design Of A Musical, "Some Like It Hot".
Spotlight On The Arts: Gregg Barnes, Outstanding Costume Design Of A Musical, "Some Like It Hot".
published: 10 Jun 2023
Drama Desk Awards: The Confession of Lily Dare Nominees
Primary Stages wishes to congratulate all of the nominees for the 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards, especially nominees from our production of The Confession of Lily Dare, including Charles Busch (Outstanding Actor in a Play), Rachel Townsend and Jessica Jahn (Outstanding Costume Design for a Play), and B.T. Whitehill (Outstanding Scenic Design for a Play).
published: 14 Jun 2020
Backstage at The Drama Desk With the Winners: Jules and Peggy, Darren Brown and Catherine
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Jules Fisher, Peggy Eisenhauer, Once on This Island, The Chase Award for Unique Theatrical Experience Derren Brown: Secret with Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor, Outstanding Costume Design For a Musical Catherine Zuber, My Fair Lady.
published: 10 Jun 2018
Broadway debut: Albuquerque costume designer wins Tony Award
Broadway debut: Albuquerque costume designer wins Tony Award
Katrina Lindsay wins Best Costume Design for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Olivier Awards 2017 with Mastercard ceremony.
Based on an original new st...
Katrina Lindsay wins Best Costume Design for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Olivier Awards 2017 with Mastercard ceremony.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne received its world premiere in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre in Summer 2016.
The critically acclaimed play recently became the most awarded West End production in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play and Best Director.
Katrina Lindsay’s most recent costume design credits include Bend It Like Beckham at the Phoenix Theatre, wonder.land for MIF and the National Theatre, and American Psycho for the Almeida Theatre. She designed costumes for Lyndsey Turner’s production of Hamlet at the Barbican with Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. She has also designed costumes for many operas including Terry Gilliam’s productions of Damnation of Faust and Benvenuto Cellini for the ENO, which have been performed around the world. As a set and costume designer, she has designed many shows at the National Theatre (most recently Behind the Beautiful Forevers and Dara), Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre and the Young Vic amongst others. She was also production designer on the film of London Road which was released earlier this year. Lindsay won the 2008 Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Costume Design for Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Broadway and is a recipient of an Arts Foundation Fellowship in Costume Design.
For a full list of winners please visit www.OlivierAwards.com
Katrina Lindsay wins Best Costume Design for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Olivier Awards 2017 with Mastercard ceremony.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne received its world premiere in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre in Summer 2016.
The critically acclaimed play recently became the most awarded West End production in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play and Best Director.
Katrina Lindsay’s most recent costume design credits include Bend It Like Beckham at the Phoenix Theatre, wonder.land for MIF and the National Theatre, and American Psycho for the Almeida Theatre. She designed costumes for Lyndsey Turner’s production of Hamlet at the Barbican with Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. She has also designed costumes for many operas including Terry Gilliam’s productions of Damnation of Faust and Benvenuto Cellini for the ENO, which have been performed around the world. As a set and costume designer, she has designed many shows at the National Theatre (most recently Behind the Beautiful Forevers and Dara), Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre and the Young Vic amongst others. She was also production designer on the film of London Road which was released earlier this year. Lindsay won the 2008 Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Costume Design for Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Broadway and is a recipient of an Arts Foundation Fellowship in Costume Design.
For a full list of winners please visit www.OlivierAwards.com
Presented by Bonnie Milligan and Alice Ripley
Recipients: Paloma Young ("Alice By Heart") and Montana Levi Blanco ("The House That Will Not Stand")
Hosted by Mi...
ForTalent.com interviews Esosa, one of the nominees for Outstanding Costume for "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark" on the red carpet for the 57th Annual Drama Desk A...
ForTalent.com interviews Esosa, one of the nominees for Outstanding Costume for "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark" on the red carpet for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards 2012.
ForTalent.com interviews Esosa, one of the nominees for Outstanding Costume for "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark" on the red carpet for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards 2012.
Primary Stages wishes to congratulate all of the nominees for the 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards, especially nominees from our production of The Confession of Li...
Primary Stages wishes to congratulate all of the nominees for the 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards, especially nominees from our production of The Confession of Lily Dare, including Charles Busch (Outstanding Actor in a Play), Rachel Townsend and Jessica Jahn (Outstanding Costume Design for a Play), and B.T. Whitehill (Outstanding Scenic Design for a Play).
Primary Stages wishes to congratulate all of the nominees for the 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards, especially nominees from our production of The Confession of Lily Dare, including Charles Busch (Outstanding Actor in a Play), Rachel Townsend and Jessica Jahn (Outstanding Costume Design for a Play), and B.T. Whitehill (Outstanding Scenic Design for a Play).
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Jules Fisher, Peggy Eisenhauer, Once on This Island, The Chase Award for Unique Theatrical Experience Derren Brown: Se...
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Jules Fisher, Peggy Eisenhauer, Once on This Island, The Chase Award for Unique Theatrical Experience Derren Brown: Secret with Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor, Outstanding Costume Design For a Musical Catherine Zuber, My Fair Lady.
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Jules Fisher, Peggy Eisenhauer, Once on This Island, The Chase Award for Unique Theatrical Experience Derren Brown: Secret with Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor, Outstanding Costume Design For a Musical Catherine Zuber, My Fair Lady.
Katrina Lindsay wins Best Costume Design for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Olivier Awards 2017 with Mastercard ceremony.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne received its world premiere in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre in Summer 2016.
The critically acclaimed play recently became the most awarded West End production in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play and Best Director.
Katrina Lindsay’s most recent costume design credits include Bend It Like Beckham at the Phoenix Theatre, wonder.land for MIF and the National Theatre, and American Psycho for the Almeida Theatre. She designed costumes for Lyndsey Turner’s production of Hamlet at the Barbican with Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. She has also designed costumes for many operas including Terry Gilliam’s productions of Damnation of Faust and Benvenuto Cellini for the ENO, which have been performed around the world. As a set and costume designer, she has designed many shows at the National Theatre (most recently Behind the Beautiful Forevers and Dara), Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre and the Young Vic amongst others. She was also production designer on the film of London Road which was released earlier this year. Lindsay won the 2008 Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Costume Design for Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Broadway and is a recipient of an Arts Foundation Fellowship in Costume Design.
For a full list of winners please visit www.OlivierAwards.com
ForTalent.com interviews Esosa, one of the nominees for Outstanding Costume for "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark" on the red carpet for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards 2012.
Primary Stages wishes to congratulate all of the nominees for the 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards, especially nominees from our production of The Confession of Lily Dare, including Charles Busch (Outstanding Actor in a Play), Rachel Townsend and Jessica Jahn (Outstanding Costume Design for a Play), and B.T. Whitehill (Outstanding Scenic Design for a Play).
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Jules Fisher, Peggy Eisenhauer, Once on This Island, The Chase Award for Unique Theatrical Experience Derren Brown: Secret with Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor, Outstanding Costume Design For a Musical Catherine Zuber, My Fair Lady.
Costume design is the envisioning of clothing and the overall appearance of a character or performer. Costume may refer to the style of dress particular to a nation, a class, or a period. In many cases, it may contribute to the fullness of the artistic, visual world which is unique to a particular theatrical or cinematic production. The most basic designs are produced to denote status, provide protection or modesty, or provide visual interest to a character.Costumes may be for a theater, cinema, or musical performance but may not be limited to such. Costume design should not be confused with costume coordination which merely involves altering existing clothing, although both create stage clothes.
Four types of costumes are used in theatrical design: historical, fantastical, dance, and modern.
History
Village festivals and processions in honor of Dionysus (See also: Dionysia) amongst the ancient Greeks, are believed to be the origin of theatre, and therefore theatre costume. The sculpture and vase paintings provide the clearest evidence of this costume. Because of their ritualized style of theatre many masks were used giving each character a specific look and they varied depending if they were used for comedic or dramatic purposes. Some masks were constructed with a cheerful as well as a serious side on the same face in an attempt to indicate a change in emotion without a change of mask. The same is true for the Romans, who continued the mask tradition, which made the doubling of roles easier.