Costuming Allegorical Characters for Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf

Abstract

This research explores how allegorical characters can be costumed using Ntozake Shange‟s For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf as a case study. It delineates on the need for a costume designer to enmesh herself in the total objective of the author and director before creating a suitable costume within the allegorical purview. It therefore traces the historical and biographical sources of the author to deduce ideas for the creative process. The play written in 1974 and set in America among the ‘black’ community is presented on the contemporary Ghanaian stage. This document portrays how the various seven major characters were costumed within the allegorical parameters as well as the processes associated with it. This also includes the synopsis, themes in the play, character analysis, design concept, action chart, colour chart, working journal and challenges encountered during the costuming process and finally evaluation and suggestions.