“Costume Symbolism Use” explores how costumes on stage function as a visual language, communicating setting, character, and culture to audiences. The book argues that costumes are not mere decorations but powerful tools for storytelling in theatrical productions.
It reveals that costumes can establish setting by evoking specific places and time periods through fabric, color, and silhouette.
They also contribute to character development, reflecting a character's personality and journey.
The book progresses systematically, starting with the fundamentals of costume design and its historical development.
It then examines how costumes signify setting, character, and culture, using case studies from various theatrical productions.
The analysis culminates in discussing the ethical considerations of costume design, such as cultural appropriation and representation.
By analyzing costumes as a text, the book provides a framework for understanding costume design as a critical element of theatrical communication and offers insights for directors, designers, actors, and audiences.
