What Is a Reenactment?
The term reenactment usually refers to an activity that recreates a historic event. It often involves the medieval period, the Victorian era, or monumental events such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A reenactment involves period clothing from the era as well as accessories and props that add authenticity. Reenactments may have scripts, depending on the style of the organizers.
How Do Theater Professionals Choose Suitable Costumes for Productions?
Costume designers and directors working on period productions work hard to perfectly recreate the styles of the chosen periods. Beyond matching the period, designers think about the styles of the different characters. For example, a Victorian noblewoman would wear a bustled gown made of rich fabrics, but a Victorian maid would wear simple garments made of dark fabrics. Designers should always consider the comfort of the actors and make sure costumes fit properly and allow the actors to move and breathe without restrictions. Finally, they work with directors and lighting designers to ensure costumes are not too distracting or a hindrance.
What Makes a Good Costume?
A good costume should help the character tell his or her story by conveying information such as economic status, personality, age, nationality, gender, and profession. Costumes should not clash with other costumes or distract from the actor's performance.