---

# Let’s Design

## Overview

In this chapter, students are introduced to the technical aspects of theatre production such as makeup, costume design, stage layout, and script writing. These design elements work together to enhance the storytelling, emotion, and visual appeal of a theatrical performance. The chapter also includes hands-on activities to help learners experience creative stagecraft.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Makeup in Theatre

* **Purpose**: Makeup enhances an actor's appearance for stage visibility, character transformation, and harmony with lighting.

* **Importance**:

* **Visibility & Projection**: Emphasizes expressions for distant audience.
* **Character Transformation**: Changes age, traits, or creates fantasy features.
* **Facial Highlighting**: Eyes, lips, and expressions become clearer.
* **Lighting Adjustment**: Corrects distortions caused by strong stage lights.
* **Period & Style Matching**: Matches historical, cultural, or fantasy themes.

* **Types of Makeup**:

* **Straight Makeup**: Basic facial enhancements.
* **Character Makeup**: Shows age, occupation, or character traits.
* **Special Effects Makeup**: Adds wounds, scars, or horns.
* **Fantasy/Abstract Makeup**: Imaginative and colorful designs.
* **Mime/Pattern Makeup**: Bold, striking designs for expressionless faces.

* **Green Room**: Well-lit and airy space for makeup preparation.

### 2. Costume Design

* **Purpose**: Costumes help define the character and make the play believable.

* **Factors Considered**:

* **Gender**: Male and female costumes differ.
* **Age**: Clothes suited to different life stages.
* **Time Period**: Reflects historical accuracy (e.g., no jeans in Shivaji’s era).
* **Geography**: Regional attire (e.g., Karnataka vs. Bengal).
* **Occupation**: Costumes for police, doctors, etc.
* **Character Traits**: Neatness, poverty, profession reflected through clothing.

* **Design Elements**:

* **Fabric**: Must suit time, geography, and story.
* **Colour**: Shows mood, culture, and theme (e.g., red not used in funerals).
* **Patterns**: Reflect royalty, tribal life, or rural setting.
* **Styling**: Includes jewellery, belts, bags, accessories.

### 3. Stage and Stage Layout

* **Definition**: A stage is a performance space, ranging from historical to modern setups.

* **Types of Stages**:

* **Natyagruha**, **Greek Theatron**, **Globe Theatre**, **Street Theatre**, and modern **Proscenium** (indoor stage with lighting).

* **Proscenium Features**:

* Developed after the invention of electric light.
* Allows indoor plays regardless of weather.

* **Parts of a Stage**:

* **Side Wings**: For entry/exit of actors.
* **Apron**: Curved space in front of stage, often holds footlights.
* **Proscenium Frame**: Arch that outlines the main stage area.
* **Cyclorama**: Large fabric at the back to reflect lights (used for sky/cloud effects).
* **Stage Directions**:

* C (Center), CR (Centre Right), CL (Centre Left)
* UR (Up Right), UC (Up Centre), UL (Up Left)
* DR (Down Right), DC (Down Centre), DL (Down Left)


### 4. Script Writing

* **Definition**: A script is the written form of a drama that includes dialogue and stage directions.

* **Difference between Story and Script**:

* **Story**: A continuous narrative in paragraph form.
* **Script**: Contains dialogues and is structured for performance.

* **Structure of a Script**:

* **Beginning**: Introduces characters, setting, and background.
* **Middle**: Builds the conflict (problem).
* **End**: Resolves the conflict and concludes the story.

* **Importance of Conflict**:

* Conflict adds drama and interest.
* Makes the story engaging and gives characters a goal or challenge.

* **Example of Conflict in Conversation**:

* Without conflict: Simple and flat interaction.
* With conflict: Tension builds up, leading to resolution.

* **Activity**: Writing and performing scripts with conversations and conflicts using character-driven storytelling.

## Activities

1. **Make-up Plan**:

* Draw and color characters (e.g., Chandragupta Maurya, Moon God).
* Add appropriate features, headgear, and style.

2. **Costume Design**:

* Design costumes with attention to historical period, fabric, color, and accessories.

3. **Stage Creation**:

* Create a model or drawing of a stage with side wings.
* Plan scene placement with props and actors.

4. **Story and Script Practice**:

* Practice storytelling in groups using “Beginning-Middle-End” format.
* Introduce twists and conflicts using prompt cards or chits.

## New Terms and Simple Definitions

| Term | Definition |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Proscenium | A frame or arch that outlines a modern indoor stage. |
| Cyclorama | Large light-colored backdrop used to reflect lights. |
| Green Room | Makeup and costume room for actors. |
| Conflict | A problem or challenge that moves the story forward. |
| Costume Design | Planning what characters wear on stage. |
| Straight Makeup | Simple makeup to highlight facial features. |
| Character Makeup | Makeup that transforms the actor into a specific role. |
| Stage Wings | Sides of the stage used for actor entrances/exits. |
| Apron | Front curved part of the stage near the audience. |
| Script | Written dialogue and instructions for a play. |

## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)

1. **What is the purpose of makeup in a play?**
*To enhance facial features and help actors portray characters clearly.*

2. **Name two types of costume styling accessories.**
*Jewellery and eyewear.*

3. **What is the apron on a stage?**
*The curved space in front of the main stage, used for lights or mikes.*

### Medium (2)

4. **Why is costume design important in theatre?**
*It helps the audience identify the character’s age, time period, profession, and region.*

5. **What is the difference between a story and a drama script?**
*A story is a narrative in paragraph form; a script is written with dialogues for stage.*

### Difficult (3)

6. **Explain the term ‘conflict’ with an example.**
*Conflict is a problem in the story that drives the plot forward, e.g., a customer not finding the desired chocolate at a shop.*

7. **Why is lighting important in the proscenium stage?**
*Lighting helps set mood, visibility, and focus and corrects distortions caused by intense lights.*

8. **How does costume color relate to character traits in a play?**
*Dark colors often represent negative characters; light or bright colors may reflect positive traits.*

### Very Difficult (2)

9. **Design a costume for Subhash Chandra Bose considering his time period and personality.**
*Use khaki uniform, cap, boots, and glasses to reflect his historical persona and leadership role.*

10. **Construct a short script with a conflict involving two characters at a railway station.**
*Example: A missing ticket leads to a misunderstanding between the passenger and the ticket checker, eventually resolved when the ticket is found in a different pocket.*

---