ABSTRACT
The draper (sometimes also called the cutter) is the person responsible for giving shape to the designer's sketches-translating them into a pattern and then overseeing the process of producing the actual costume. The draper and designer talk through the designs, discussing a long list of aesthetic and practical concerns: how both the actor and the costume itself need to be able to move; where the costume will fasten; what sorts of fabrics will be used; what support structures or special undergarments are needed; and any other unusual features. Drapers use their talents to adapt historical shapes to modern bodies and modern choreography. However, whether crafting sleek body-hugging pieces, flowing drapery, or skirts held up by metal struts, the draper's best contribution is to make all these engineering marvels appear onstage to be simply clothing. This chapter talks about some of the draper, namely Kjersten Lester-Moratzka, Triffin Morris and David Arevalo.
