ABSTRACT
Many more stage shows are directed by the designer than most directors will admit. The designer-set, costumes, makeup, props-works on a production well before the actors, and usually before the cast are even engaged for that project. The look of a particular character, the way he comes across, is therefore decided before the actor has been able to make his own contribution to the process, and this leads to a lot of heartache and conflict. An actor accepted the part of Lady Macbeth only as long as she did not have to wear black-she had a strong belief that the character as written by Shakespeare was not a dragon queen but a real person with human feelings and failings. When her costume finally arrived just before opening night-it was black, to go with the production concept. The earliest opportunity exactly what is planned for the design of her costume, wig, makeup-anything that reflects your character's personal taste and attitude.
