Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: granny costume

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theatregirl325
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Topic: granny costume
Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:40am

This is my first post!!! I am costume designer for the fall show at my theatre. We are doing More Than Meets The Eye. The lead character, Stanley, dresses up like a grandmother. I have the costume and the wig, how should I give him breasts? Should I use a regular bra or sports bra that is stuffed/padded? Or should I pad the blouse? I have an idea, I just wanted to get other opinions. Thanks

Angela

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Linda S
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Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:48am

Hi Angela,

It all depends: Do you want him to look like he is wearing costume, or is it realistic ie. fool the audience as well as the actors? If it is a costume just use a bra. If it is suppose to be realistic,you might want to take a look at some more sophisticated that will include softening up his look all over. The problem with padding the blouse is that when he moves the blouse will move and "everything" will move with him. Sounds like a funny show.

Linda

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MartyW
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Posted: 10/18/05 at 1:03pm

Having done a role in "drag" before (and with only half of the audince getting the joke till the very end) I have just two words... Bird Seed! Take whatever size bra you want your "Female" to be... cut pantyhose legs (one for each breast, though you may want to double these up for durablility) then fill each with bird seed till the desired cup size is reached. Tie em off, drop em in, do a little "adjustment" so that the knots don't show and ta da... Breasts!

lol... hope you have as much fun as I did with it...

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theatregirl325
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Posted: 10/18/05 at 1:53pm

Wow- Thanks for the advice! I love the bird seed tip! I cannot wait to try it. This is going to be so much fun.

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 10/18/05 at 1:56pm

I have played several women - though all in one play.

In The Mystery of Irma Vep I played several different female
characters. All of the costumes had the bust built right into them
... just put on the costume and voila! - breasts LOL. As far as I
know, they were just foam cut (or "sculpted") to shape and
sewn right into the costumes.

I also appeared half-nude (with exposed nude breasts) in one
scene