The purpose of this paper is to present the process involving the
design and production of costumes for the Tennessee Williams play
Orpheus Descending, produced by The Ohio State University Department of Theatre in the Thurber Theatre at the Drake Performance and Event Center, November 8-19, 2001.
Orpheus Descending depicted the South of the United States in the 1950s. In this production the scenic design was highly symbolic and metaphorical while the costumes were based on the reality of the 1950's. The lighting and sound design were poetic to the moods and events in the play.
There were two unique elements in the production of this play. Jaroslav Malina, one of the premier Czech scenographers of the twentieth century, was the featured design artist for this production. As artist in residence, he was a model for artistic expression in collaboration with the graduate student designers working on this quintessentially American play. The involvement of the Vari-Lite Corporation was another element in this production, with the installation of automated lighting equipment and technical support. It marked the first Ohio State/ Vari-Lite
partnership project, involving new technology training, research, and
project support
Sue Ott Rowlands, the director, began the production process with a concept statement, followed by collaboration among the designers. The effort produced twelve new costumes and pulled eighteen from stock, costing $1325.83, well below the $2,000 budget for costuming.