Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre (MFA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Theatre

Advisor/Mentor

Siebrits, Helene

Committee Member

Hicks, Morgan

Second Committee Member

Irish, Shawn

Third Committee Member

Lane, Valerie

Keywords

Character Development; Contemporary Design; Costume Design; Historical Costume; Practice Based Research; Theatrical Costume

Abstract

This study employs a practice-based design methodology grounded in historical research, visual analysis, material experimentation, and collaborative production processes. This thesis, Where Doubts and Stars Glow: A Costume Designer’s Journey for Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson, explores the process of design and creation of costumes for the production of Silent Sky at the University of Arkansas. Silent Sky portrays an astronomer whose work in the early 1900s profoundly impacted the study of photographic plates for mapping stars. Specifically, the astronomer closely analyzes Cepheid variable stars, discovering that their consistent brightness fluctuations aid in determining stellar distances and the universe's size. Furthermore, this thesis material encompasses the historical context of the 1900s, which includes social and historical movements that shaped the fashion of the period. In particular, the Suffragette Movement was a pivotal moment during the late Victorian and early Edwardian period, when women demanded rights and suffrage, and fought against oppression and societal discrimination towards women. This movement directly influenced women’s fashion, as clothing became a tool for expressing independence, identity and resistance, shifting toward more practical and less restrictive garments that supported mobility and participation in public life. Thus, the approach to costume design was through primary research and careful analysis of societal and socio-economic circumstances that affected fashion. Through this approach, I demonstrate that contemporary design elements can be thoughtfully integrated into period costume without undermining historical accuracy when guided by dramaturgical intent, collaboration, and technical planning. Moreover, this thesis contributes to costume design scholarship by documenting a hybrid design approach that balances authenticity, innovation, and storytelling, with emphasis on the role of costume as a vital narrative tool that deepens audience connection and enhances character development in theatrical production. Finally, this thesis will guide readers through my process of creating costumes for a period play, outlining significant aspects to bring the characters to life on stage.

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