The Rustic Runway of Radiator Springs: Driving the Cast of Cars to the Stage

Lights up. A lone figure sits onstage. She wears a teal fluffy sweater. Wow, you think to yourself. That's so ugly. Why would someone ever put that abomination on stage? Yes, it may seem ugly, but the character might not think so, or, more importantly, the costume designer might think it's perfect. Through character analysis, the actor and the designer may discover that while working in her small-town diner, this character likes to stand out. Perhaps it's teal because the leather seats in her diner are teal and she likes things to match. It's fluffy because, to her, fluffy equals fabulous. The audience may or may not be able to make these connections by the time the show concludes, but these are the choices a costumer needs to make in hopes of serving an audience in their understanding of a production, whether consciously or subconsciously, by manifesting a character's personality into a wearable ensemble. In alliance with this concept, my thesis project will adapt the 2006 Pixar classic Cars for the stage using deep character analysis in tandem with my costume design skills. This project will include character study, mood boards, sketches, and final renderings; an overview of the extensive research involved in costuming; and a record of the design process from concept to completion. Furthermore, my chosen film includes extensive character variety, and adapting inanimate objects to humans will pose an additional challenge. Ultimately, my work intends to shed light on the costume design process and show how even when choices seem minuscule, they all contribute to creating a visual aid that helps guide an audience through a story. At the conclusion of this project, I hope to help audience members understand that it's not just a fluffy sweater. It's a fluffy sweater.