Date of Award
2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design
Department
Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design
First Advisor
Linda Welters
Abstract
Through qualitative analysis of oral history interviews this thesis explores the role that costumes have played in a small professional contemporary ballet company throughout its more than forty-year history. How choreographers and costume designers collaborate on the vision and creation of costumes, how dancers react to performing in the costumes, and what, if any, reactions audience members have when seeing the costumes, are explored. The results of these inquiries are meant to be a resource for other small ballet and theatre companies as well as to provide a window into the artistry found at Newport Contemporary Ballet. Interviewees explained that collaboration is key to the performance process. Choreographers work with dancers, lighting designers, composers, stage designers, and costume designers, along with many other production and administrative professionals, to help transport an audience willing to suspend reality for a short time. The illusion becomes believable with the help of costuming. A secondary result of this discussion of costumes and their associated stories uncovered a deeper history of the Newport Contemporary Ballet, its place in the community of Newport County, and its place within the ballet and contemporary ballet community overall.
The results contextualize the role of costumes in the Newport Contemporary Ballet. They further validate oral history interviews as a methodology for shedding light on costume as a significant component in dance performance.
Recommended Citation
McAreavey, Kathleen A., "NEWPORT CONTEMPORARY BALLET: COSTUMING FOR COMMUNITY BALLET" (2024). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2575.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2575
