Date of Graduation

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Theatre

Advisor/Mentor

Siebrits, Helene

Committee Member/Reader

Irish, Shawn

Committee Member/Second Reader

Chioffi, David

Committee Member/Third Reader

Brown, Lucy

Abstract

This paper examines the Bible as well as circus history and American history to determine the most effective way to design costumes for the musical Godspell by John-Michael Tebelak for a modern audience. The aim of all of this research is to re-center Tebelak’s original inspiration: The Feast of Fools by Harvey Gallagher Cox. Over the years since the premiere of Godspell in 1970, it has become heavily associated with hippies rather than clowns, despite the importance of clowns and clowning to the play’s inception.

Taking inspiration from primary research of circus performers, religious iconography, and early 20th century pop culture, the final costume renderings encapsulate the complexity and individuality of each member of the ensemble. The ten characters represent a variety of different types of circus performers, and the archetypes associated with each circus act also serve to illuminate the characters’ personalities.

Keywords

theatre; musical theatre; costume design; circus; clowns; Godspell

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