Costume Design: Bringing Characters To Life

Crystal Heckert, Costume Designer

Creating and implementing costume designs for any large production can be a daunting task for the novice. Fortunately, experienced Costume Designer Crystal Heckert was on hand to bring the Romeo and Juliet cast into a traditional Elizabethan setting.

Director Sarah Rudolph and Heckert decided that the cast would wear Italian Renaissance garments. Beyond this, Heckert needed to consider who the characters were and their driving motivations. Her designs sought to distinguish the two families—Montague and Capulet—using color and types of clothing. Coordinating the costume design with the look and feel of the set was another consideration. For example, Heckert was told what colors would be used on the set and from this, decided on the color palette used for the families. The Montagues wore blue clothing to reflect their aloof dignity while the Capulets displayed warm reds.

Heckert was surprised when Rudolph asked her to re-engineer some of the initial designs to “be sexier.” Integrating that concept into Italian Renaissance was not something Heckert had encountered before. The intention was to convey the youth of the title characters. Lord Capulet stated that Juliet had “not yet seen the change of fourteen years” and it was assumed that Romeo was of a similar age. “I was trying to capture their sense of innocence and their love together,” said Heckert. “Romeo and Juliet should be able to stand in the same space and look like they belong together, but not look like they’re matching.”

Heckert began her research in November and major work on costume construction started in March. Some costumes were rented from various production companies while others, such as Juliet’s dress, were built by Heckert and her assistants. Combining rentals with built garments to maintain a cohesive design was a challenging task, according to Heckert.

Adjustments were made along the way, particularly when Heckert’s team first observed the costumes in action on stage during rehearsals. “You can work on it in the shop and you might have an idea in your head of what the design will look like, but it’s never quite the same when you see it on stage,” said Heckert. For example, many adjustments included making alterations to the costumes to allow for greater mobility and safety.

As the final dress rehearsal approached, Heckert worked closely with cast members backstage to ensure the production was ready for opening night. During rehearsal, Heckert asked cast members to change their hair, makeup, and the manner in which costumes were worn. “I wanted to ensure that all of these details were set and done by opening night, at which time very few changes are allowed,” she said.

“Bringing characters to life” is what Heckert finds to be the most rewarding aspect of costume design. Dealing with compromise can also be rewarding. For example, cast members will sometimes have ideas about how they would like to wear their costume, which often conflicts the original design specifications.

Technical skills are needed to function as a costume designer in a large scale production, according to Heckert. Designers must work extensively with fabrics, sizing, construction of garments and patterns, color theory, and drawing sketches. “It’s difficult to translate what you see in your head to what actually appears on stage,” Heckert stated. Having discipline and time management skills is essential to ensure the production is on schedule.

Heckert is a 2006 graduate of UW-Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Design and a 2003 graduate of UWMC. She currently works as the Costume Technology Supervisor at UW-Oshkosh. Her professional experience includes touring with Disney on Ice: Finding Nemo, the Washington National Opera, and the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts Theaterfest. Heckert will be attending the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to pursue a graduate degree in costume production.

Come join in celebrating the Premiere Season of the UW Center for Civic Engagement by attending UWMC Theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Thursday April 14 at 7:30 pm, Friday April 15 at 7:30 pm, and Saturday April 16 at 2:00 pm. General admission is $12, Senior & Student admission is $10, and UWMC students get in for free with ID. Call Student Services: (715) 261-6235 to reserve your tickets today! Don’t miss our comprehensive coverage of Romeo and Juliet in Volume 48, Issue 6 of The Forum, available Wednesday 4/20!