When your team is preparing for a performance, the dancing is the biggest, but not the singular, part of the artistic process. Turning choreography into a production involves several more elements, including: staging, props, lighting- and of course, costumes! What you wear on your body is critical when it comes to dance- it can either hide or highlight or complement or distract from your moves. Thus, choosing a costume can be a difficult process for a team. But since it is also one that depends on the comprehensive artistic vision of the set, this nifty flow chart/infographic can help make your #costumestruggles a bit easier to navigate:
This applies to any and all costumes, really.
You're probably not going to have a spare astronaut suit or full on cowboy hat-britches-boots combo laying around in your closet, so themed sets often require dancers to buy at least part of their costumes.
And if you're a student / worker / dancer / car owner with current gas prices (gee whiz), I doubt you are A-okay with blowing a bunch of money on a costume you'll only wear for a few performances.
THE SILVER LINING:
Again, with any costume, but most particularly with themed costumes- to cut our wallets some slack, we have to make a lot of stuff! Sewing on details or cutting up shirts, it requires a a few team members to get hands-on. It can be a tedious process- sewing is fun, but doing it 40 times to 40 pocket tees gets tiring.
THE SILVER LINING:
There's a bit more research that needs to be done depending on your theme, and a lot more questions to ask.Does everyone fit the theme?Are we staying true to the theme, historically / technically / scientifically like seriously.Are the main characters too flashy? Not different enough?
There are a few more problems that come with it- when we have such specific costumes, you have to REALLY keep track of all its components. Like how can you play a pirate if you're missing your beard and hook and parrot?!
And you're also not gonna be wearing this costume on a regular basis irl. tbh. Unless it's Halloween.
THE SILVER LINING:
Sooo a lot of hype sets tend to go with a trend that's hype. Confusing sentence but you get me.
But the thing with trends is that they're not timeless. Dropcrotch pants, paisley, color block, FLORAL PRINT POCKET TEES... I can't confidently say that our grandchildren will go thrifting for these pieces and marvel at how classic and iconic they are.
But like who cares?!
THE SILVER LINING:
One of my biggest nightmares is having a wardrobe malfunction on stage that will be immortalized in 4K...
So it's important to tuck everything in, safety pin it, and check for a costume's danceability. Tight pants ripping, nip slips, or not being able to grand plie- AHH!
THE SILVER LINING
We reached a certain point in performance history where every color combo has been done before.
Khaki and maroon? Black everything with gold accessories?
THE SILVER LINING
Black pants, black shoes, and team shirts! Using a tech-rehearsal outfit for your actual performance may feel a bit... basic. But it's a great go-to! If all else fails, it will ALWAYS work, and it will ALWAYS be timeless!
THE SILVER LINING
here is a timeline in which your thoughts go from blase blazer to panic panties (and then back to smooth sailing slacks):
What are some bumps you ran into while deciding on a costume for your performance? Comment below to share with us?You can wear whatever you want when you take class on STEEZY Studio! Sigh up today to start your training griiiind.