Lesson Plan for Problem Solving Unit
Rocky Run Middle School
Advanced Theatre Arts Appreciation (Semester)
Costume Design
Students will work in groups of 3 or 4. Groups will create costume design portfolio. Portfolio will include an itemized budget of
required materials for creating the costumes and a list of identified sources.
Link
SOL/POS/Objective:
This unit addresses FCPS Theatre Arts SOLs III, IV, V, VI, VII
Students will develop a more sophisticated understanding of the role and challenges of the theatre costume
designer. Students will design expressive, original costumes for Act II, Scene 1 of the full length play,
“Stephanie Hero,” without exceeding a budget of $100.
Engage
Problem Engagement:
Students will view some pictures of costumes from different theatre productions, some elaborate and some
simple. Class discussion around the impact of production budget on design choices.
Active
Inquiry Investigation:
Essential Questions
1. What does a designer need to know in order to produce a good design?
2. How does costume design contribute to the overall effect of a production?
3. What’s the relationship between money and creativity?
Background Research (Students should contribute to the process of determining what should be included in
the investigation)
1. Read the entire play and complete script and character analysis
2. Review elements of design (color, pattern, texture, line, size)
3. Are there any costume requirements found in the text?
4. Find some different approaches to design sketches (drawings, collages, etc.)
Brainstorm/Discuss
1. What mood do you want the costumes to create? What traits of each character do you want the costumes
to suggest? What relationships do you want to create with costumes and how can costumes help define
setting?
2. What design element choices can you make, what materials can you use to convey the above decisions?
3. Possible resources where you might find needed materials (at home, local stores, online, recyclables, etc.)
Devising a Plan: (Students in each group should contribute to the process of creating a plan)
1. Create a costume chart that includes each character’s name, selected character information and
corresponding design element choices.
2. Assign tasks. Each group member must produce at least one costume design and must help identify
sources, costs for needed materials.
3. Create project portfolio.
4. Create a work schedule
5. Agree on ground rules and systems to help each other stay on task and on schedule.
Carrying Out the Plan: (Plans can vary somewhat)
1. As you work, make a point of rereading the scene and revisiting your script and character analysis as well
as the decisions you made about design elements to best portray mood, character, relationship and setting.
Make modifications, redirect, and adjust as necessary in order to keep all your decisions aligned.
2. Costume Project Portfolio must include…
Costume chart
Costume design for each character in the scene
List of materials needed to create each costume and where you will find/buy/borrow each item needed.
Itemized cost of each costume with a combined total of no more than $100. Background notes
3. Follow your schedule of work sessions and rehearsals
4. Take responsibility for seeking support or help on any problems that arise, including team work issues.
Reflection
Reflect:
Class Discussion:
Groups will share their sketches. What similarities and differences exist in the different designs? Groups can
discuss how their designs might have been different with more money. What compromises or
disappointments occurred in order to honor the budget?
Each student will write or record answers to the following questions:
1. What part of the project are you particularly proud of?
2. What would you have done differently if you could go back and start over?
3. Which design for each character (out of all the designs done) do you think is best and why?
4. Would this project have been more or less difficult for you if the budget had been bigger?
5. How has your understanding of costume design changed?
Next
Students will include costume designs and costuming in their contemporary scenes final project at the end of
the term.