Undressing Viola: Costuming, Character, Class, and Gender in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
TITLE: Undressing Viola: Costuming, Character, Class, and Gender in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
AUTHOR: Katey Phillips
CATEGORY: Body
CREATOR COMMENTARY:
This design of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night examines the power gender holds, both in creating boundaries, such as male and female, and in breaking them. Each character pushes the boundaries of gender and class, a very powerful signifier in Shakespearian England; at that time it was more transgressive to cross-dress in class than in gender. This play is designed for an all female cast. Rough sketches and renderings of the major costumes are shown.
ENTRY:
CREATOR BIO:
Katey Phillips greatly enjoys sewing and swing dancing, probably more than recommended. Katey is studying Theatre Technology with an English minor, and after graduation, she will be pursuing costume design. She has designed for a number of academic productions and films, and her art has been published in Scribendi. She also dances with the Chapman Swing Cats.