The Tempest

In my design, I want to emphasize the mysticism of the island, haunted by spirits that carry music and spells throughout the air. Coming to the island after a shipwreck to find harpies and monsters, I wanted to exaggerate the fear of the unknown and the themes of betrayal and revenge in the beginning of the play. I want the audience to experience a similar fear and amazement of the island that the characters are experiencing. The play feels mystical, dark, unpredictable, and sharp, while at times beautiful and romantic. It feels like a ship wrecked in the ocean: spindly, corroded and dark, while also creating new habitats for creatures and full of beautiful, exquisite treasure. 

The costumes should reflect this, rugged and movable due to travel and mobility needed on an island. The colors should include dark blues, pale greens, mysterious purples, occasional oranges and warmer tones for heartwarming scenes, and whites and grays to represent innocence and ambiguity (respectively). Pale and dark earthy tones lend themselves well to the magical but eerie feel of the island, while still staying true to the naturalistic setting. The lines should be flowy and natural, more vertical rather than horizontal to give an elongated look, emphasizing the eerie quality.