Fitting materials: Costume flows, intra-actions and agency in and around the fitting room

Abstract

The costume fitting room has long been considered an essential space in developing a character, with many actors crediting the fitting as a critical stage in creating or understanding their character. In these spaces, characters and costume designs emerge and evolve. This article argues that active in this emergence are actors, designers and costumers and the costume itself. This research explores the costume’s agentic nature in the performance-making process, using ethnographic observation of Australian theatre costume fitting rooms. It evidences the multiple, disparate and sometimes surprising elements that impact character portrayal and design development. The agency of the costume as a creative partner is currently a topic of debate in costume research. Leaning into this conversation, this article draws on Karan Barad’s perspectives of new materialism to argue for greater consideration of the costume’s influence and value in forming a performance work. Recognizing this contribution and the affective power of costume prompts a challenge to the structures and practices surrounding actors and costumes and how they intra-act. The article concludes by reflecting on the implications for current industry rehearsal, production and costume practices.