Should the actor be involved in the conception of their costume?

I'm playing a role right now that relies quite a bit on my costume. After a month of rehearsal, I have recieved a costume that will completely change the way that I have been playing the role.

I was just wondering what some of your opinions are about whether or not an actor should be involved in the conception of their costume or if they should just suck it up and throw away a month of rehearsal and character work to make the designers happy.

Thoughts? Advice?

Updated On: 9/29/16 at 05:59 PM

Talk to your director. Presumably he or she has liked what you've been doing for the past month. (Or if s/he hasn't, you're better off knowing now.) Then let the director deal with the designer.

No, I don't think actors should have general power of veto over their wardrobe. (Too many aren't fully aware of their own motivations.) But you seem to have thought carefully about this and I see no reason you should be silent now.

Thanks for the responses. I think that I will have to have another meeting with my director and my designer. My director is a very passive director and he is kind of letting the designer do whatever he wants, so I think that we will need to make sure that we're all on the same page.

Yes, in general, the wardrobe should at least be discussed with the actor and the actor should be more intimately involved if there is 'business' or specific use of the wardrobe that will affect timing or delivery. For example, if the actor is carrying a prop in a pocket, the pocket must be deep enough so that the item doesn't all out and positioned in such a way that it is easy to access and pull out the item at the appropriate time. Cut and fit may also affect ease of movement. If a piece of clothing must be taken off or put on during the performance, it must be easy to do so. In short, there is a lot to think about and if your director isn't doing so, rather than getting into a tussle with them it is easiest to just think about what has to be considered and then approach them and express your thoughts about how these considerations will make the performance smoother and better.

Having both acted AND done wardrobe there's a difference in a polite conversation about movement and comfort and an actor who says "um, my character would never wear blue!" when they just don't like the color.

Word of advice: keep your mouth shut unless you want a civil war to break out.

The blame lies with the director if there are artistic differences between actor and designer as significant as this. You should go to him/her.

Agreed. I think you can make a lot of enemies (and be seen as difficult) if you start commenting on ridiculous things like the shade of blue or most especially on period costume. Leave those things to the experts.

well, that is your perception. Good luck.