A study of the role that costume design plays in circus performance. This topic covers the use of costume to enhance a performance, including the importance of color, texture, and movement. It also covers the practical considerations of costume design, such as safety and functionality.
History of Circus Costumes: Traces the evolution of costumes used in circus performances from ancient times to present day.
Character Development and Costume Design: Explores the process of conceptualising characters and designing costumes that reflect their personality and traits.
Fabric Knowledge and Selection: Covers the types of fabrics used in circus costumes and their properties.
Costume Construction Techniques: Teaches the methods of constructing and assembling circus costumes, including pattern-making, cutting, sewing, and embellishment.
Colour Theory and Palettes: Discusses the use of colour in costume design, including the symbolism and emotional impact of different colours.
Accessories, Props and Special Effects: Explains the types of accessories and props that are used in circus performances, such as headpieces, shoes, wigs, and makeup, as well as special effects, such as lighting and sound.
Collaboration with Other Departments: Highlights the importance of working with other members of the production team, such as set designers, lighting technicians, and stage managers, in order to create a unified look and feel for the performance.
Cultural Influence in Costume Design: Examines how different circus traditions and cultures have impacted costume design, and how designers can incorporate those influences into their work.
Costume Maintenance and Repair: Details the best practices for maintaining and repairing circus costumes, including cleaning, storing, and handling.
Costume Design for Specific Circus Acts: Covers the special considerations for designing costumes for various circus acts, such as acrobatics, contortion, clowns, and animal acts.
Clown costumes: These costumes are typically brightly colored and feature oversized accessories like shoes and hats. They are designed to be comical and exaggerated, and often include face makeup.
Acrobatic costumes: These costumes are designed to be flexible and durable, allowing performers to move freely while maintaining their acrobatic form. They are often made from stretchy fabrics and feature colorful designs.
Trapeze costumes: These costumes are typically form-fitting and designed to stay in place while performers swing through the air. They may also include extra padding to protect performers from falls.
Aerial silks costumes: These costumes are similar to trapeze costumes but may feature longer sleeves or skirts to cover the performer's body while they perform intricate aerial silk moves.
Juggling costumes: These costumes often incorporate colorful patterns and stripes to create an eye-catching visual effect while performers juggle various objects. They may also feature pockets or loops to hold juggling equipment.
Animal costumes: These costumes are meant to evoke the appearance of various animals, such as lions, tigers, and elephants. They may include fur, feathers, or other realistic materials to create the impression of an animal's coat.
Historical costumes: These costumes are designed to reflect the fashion of a particular time period or culture, such as ancient Rome or medieval Europe. They may include elaborate details like ruffles, lace, or embroidery to create a sense of authenticity.
Fantasy costumes: These costumes are designed to be imaginative and creative, often featuring fantastical creatures like unicorns or dragons. They may incorporate bright colors and unusual shapes to create a sense of whimsy.
Gender-bending costumes: These costumes challenge traditional concepts of gender by featuring characters dressed in clothing that does not conform to stereotypical gender roles. For example, a male performer may wear a dress or a female performer may wear trousers.
Pop culture costumes: These costumes reference well-known characters or celebrities from popular culture. They may include iconic outfits or accessories that are easily recognizable by audiences.