Costume And Make-Up in Dramatic Communication: The Superstory Example

A drama text is a written presentation of the series of structured words and actions that form the play. Drama performances employ specific dramatic or theatrical elements to amplify or reveal significant yet concealed messages within the text. Costume and make-up are two elements of drama that can serve as powerful means of communication in dramatic productions. This paper emphasizes that in order for a director to effectively communicate through costume and make-up, the costumier/make-up artist must comprehend and value the expectations of the production, utilizing these elements to highlight the hidden meanings within the drama. This paper concludes that in any given play production, costume and make-up design, as vital elements of visual communication, must clarify characters, their relationships, and associations for the audience.