Costume Designs

Hey there! Just some costume designs I thought I'd post to peak some interest. These aren't final, but they are pretty cool! Overall, I wanted the costumes to have a middle eastern influence, but not to be "period" bibical dress.
Delilah needed to be different from the rest of them culturally because of the story, she also needed to have a transition from her original job as a courtesan to her stable relationship with Samson.

Samson's design is based on influences from Egypt (i.e. Exodus), and on some desert/warrior motifs as well. He's meant to look tough but not the same as the philistines. His headdress allows us to cut off his braids every night and replace them in the clasp for the next day.

The Philistines are meant to be like executives that have had to live in the desert, cannibalizing their clothes and tools. However rough and post apocalyptic they live, they are in charge and so want to appear to be strong. They hate Samson because he challenges their power.

I still need to design for the extras of the cast, three women who will dance and help create the scenes. They are philistines but less executive than those with lines. I'll post them as soon as I can. 

Beginning Pre-Production - A.K.A. Here Goes Nothing

Well, after two and a half years only in my brain and on sheets of paper the phenomenon that is Delilah is about to take its life! I've been re-imagining the biblical story of Samson and Delilah for several years. I'm especially interested in the question of "What if Delilah actually loved Samson?", wondering what would have caused her to betray him, and what happened to her where the biblical narrative leaves off- with samson being taken away. So, I've written my own original script addressing these ideas, with a flair of my own tendency for the poetic. You can see a sample of the script here.
Now, after my second to last semester as a Butler Theatre Major, I am poised to begin production for the show itself. I'll be shopping for props, costume pieces, and bits for the set over winter break. I will also be working with my Pre-cast Samson and Delilah, who have graciously agreed not to audition for our fancy guest director next semester in favor of working with me.
Delilah will be played by the ever-lovely and talented Kerry Layne Stauffer:

Samson will be portrayed by the wonderful and passionate Quinn Leary:

From January 10th until term begins we'll be working on relationships and S/D scenes in the show, as well as getting some serious costuming done for things like Kerry's complicated wardrobe and Quinn's gorgeous headdress. We'll be casting the rest of the group after Tim Hardy's auditions for As You Like It. So, everyone better get super excited, cuz this senior thesis is gonna rock Butler University's socks!!!

Coming soon: Costume renderings, lighting concepts, and set drafts! Stay Tuned!