(
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"39636","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":"Rapunzel Dragon"}}]]In this post, Lilly Theater Manager Krista Layfield describes the planning and preparation behind a very important costume in this summer's production, "Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale"—Rapnuzel's loyal dragon, Socrates!
One of the most challenging aspects for our production team of Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale was devising a costume for Socrates the Dragon.
We discussed several options:
- A mascot style costume
- A larger than life sized puppet
- A more traditional costume with theatrical make-up (like we used in Tortoise and the Hare)
- Or a combination of these options.
We had initially settled on a larger than life sized puppet, very similar to the one that was used in the original production and other versions across the country. It seems like large puppets are very popular now in theaters and in movies like The Lion King, War Horse, and The Muppet Movie. However, the challenge in creating and using a large puppet can be as large as the puppet itself! How many people would operate it? How would they be dressed—in black or in stylized costume? Who would give the character its voice—would he also operate the puppet, or just narrate? How should it be constructed?
Our puppet designer/builder in residence, Patrick Weigand, made some lovely sketches that did a good job of showing how he would construct the puppet as well as the costume's overall look. Our costume designer, Kathleen Egan, also made some great suggestions as to what Socrates would wear so that the actors and the dragon would be similar in style and fit into the overall feel of Rapunzel’s world.
We also took into account the casting of the actor playing the dragon. What were Ben Asaykwee’s strengths in playing the role and how would operating the puppet affect his performance? We eventually decided that we would like to come up with more of a mascot-like costume instead of a puppet since Ben is a very good mover and has a great voice. We then approached costume designer Brian Horton, who is known for producing high quality mascot costumes, to fulfill our dragon dreams. Make sure to visit the Lilly Theater before Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale closes August 4!
Now YOU can play a part in creating the museum's Lilly Theater productions! Donate to our latest Power2Give project and help provide props and costumes for our next production, the world premiere production of "Jingle Arrgh the Way"!
