Theatre
Written in the year 200 by the American playwright David Auburn, “Proof” is a play that received a positive public response. In theatre, the play has been dramatized to present the audience with some of the key themes that the author has elucidated in the play. An essential element of theatrical depictions is the ability to come up with meaningful and tangible costume selection. The costume that a character gets depicted plays a vital role in ensuring that they are able to enhance the efficacy with which the intended message is passed along with the audience. There are various costume designs that could be utilized in the theatrical performances of the play ‘Poof,’ depending on the scene depicted and the intended message.
Characters costume selection
The costume selected for a given character depends on their role in the play and what they represent in society.
Catherine: Young woman aged 25
Catherine is presented as a young woman who is gifted in the field of mathematics, having inherited this from her father. As a result, during a theatrical performance, Catherine could get dressed in a modest skirt suit that brings out the intellectual and reserved side of her.
However, in the opening scene of the play where Catherine is sitting alone in the backyard of her house, she can be dressed I a causal costume such as a cotton sweater and shorts as depicted above, to present to the reader the idea of a young woman who has different sides of her personal life.
Claire- Catherine’s older sister
Claire, on the other hand, is a little bit older than Catherine, who has been portrayed as a successful businesswoman who has also had successful personal relationships.
A total neck with a woven sweater and some boots would be a suitable costume to dress a character playing Claire in the play. Claire is a woman who depicts a sense of strength, and a modern empowered woman of today who has taken full charge of her life. For instance, she left her home to focus on building herself a better experience and has been successful in doing this. The boots play an essential role in bringing out the bold character of a woman who stops at nothing to achieve what she desires.
In the scene where Claire has returned home from New York and is preparing a massive brunch for her family, the character could be dressed in a casual outfit such as the sleeveless top depicted above. The above costume represents not only a sense of freedom and confidence, but also a free spied character who is in a position to take charge of events.
Robert- Catherine and Claire’s father
Robert is a character in his late adult life, which can be presumed to have lived a satisfying experience. Although the effects of the old age are catching up with him, Robert can still be viewed as a positive role model in society. This is through the successful ways that his daughters have turned out into responsible adults through his parenting.
A character playing Robert could be well suited dressed in a Leather Jacket and a casual wear costume. The leather Jacket could serve as a symbol of power and control that was a part of his former life as a mathematician. Robert is a character who inspires productivity among the theatre enthusiasts and brings out a bold style that could help to achieve this.
An official look that depicts the former glory days of the character Robert could also play an essential role in ensuring that the real nature of the character is brought out. The official wear is commonly considered in society as a symbol of power and control in a person’s life. As a result, the costume could help to bring out the real character as perceived by the audience.
Harold (Hal) Dobbs – One of Robert’s last Ph.D. students
As a student, Hal is among the final learners that get to benefit from Robert’s intelligence in the field of mathematics. He is therefore depicted as an agile learner who is willing to take the full advantage of his educator in the final moments. He also has a close relationship with Catherine, Robert’s youngest daughter.
The above costume could play an essential role in bringing out the character of Hal as a student. The glasses, for instance, are an essential part of the costume that brings out the nerd character i.e., an individual fascinated by their educational journey pursuit. The official wear also brings out an aspect of seriousness and a committed student.
Although a serious student, it is necessary to take Hal’s personal life into consideration through a causal costume. For instance, in the scene where he and Catherine are having a moment with Catherine opening up that she knows that she’s like her father and she’s afraid of ending up like him, Hal could wear a semi-casual costume as depicted above. This could be essential in presenting the audience with a different side of the character through the use of an outfit to bring out this side of the character.