- Are the ideas for the costuming of the characters at your discretion or at the discretion of the director? Or is it a collaborative effort?
The design concepts for Machinal were definitely collaborative. Lee, the director, has ideas and they help to shape our concept for the character. Together we do our best to create something that we feel makes the best sense given the director’s vision.
- Since the play shifts through each decade, will you be pulling items that reflect each time period or will you take a more vintage throwback approach in your costume designing? How do you decide which approach to take?
Lee’s overall vision for the play shapes our design concepts. She wanted each decade to feel real and authentic, so we did our best to pull clothes that reflect that period. In the 20s, dresses had drop waists to them, so we made sure to get dresses like that for the first scene.
- What inspired you when creating the costume design for specific characters?
A lot of what inspires me is the role the character plays in the play. George H Jones is business man who sees his wife as something he owns. He is the type of character who is very arrogant and his design reflects this. I am also inspired by the connection between characters. Helen feels a lot freer with her lover than she does with her husband; so in the scenes where she is with him she dresses differently, more casual and fun.
- What was your favorite part about the costume designing process for Machinal? Why?
My favorite design is actually Man 1 at Table 2 in the bar. The design is very simple but really tells a story about who the character is. He is wearing a shirt with lots of bright colors and dress pants. The character looks very flamboyant. Man 1 is obviously more comfortable being out and letting people know who he is.
- What is the most challenging thing about the costume design for Machinal? Why?
The most challenging part of the design process was definitely the change in periods. While it made for an interesting and fun concept, it definitely added a lot of extra design time.
