For this  project I have chosen to turn American TV Drama series ‘Pose’ into an on stage Musical. The series itself is set in the late 1980s in New York city. For my musical adaptation I would like to keep it set within new York city as that was the original setting of the ballroom culture. I feel the need to keep it set within its original time period as some of the issues addressed by the series wouldn’t be as relevant set in today’s environment, For example; the issue of HIV and aids would be dealt with differently if set up to date. Saying this I would like todays fashion and 21stDrag to influence my costumes.

 

Looking into the history of the word Drag, I discovered the world of Drag Balls. These balls were a place where people that felt that they didn’t fit in anywhere else could go here to express themselves and be free from scrutiny from the outside world and also win trophies at the same time. Through the musical I want to keep the important issues raised by the show and express them in a light-hearted way. 

 

With researching the different styles of drag throughout its history I would like to use aspects of each when creating the characters costumes. With the characters in the show being from houses(drag families), I would like certain elements in each costume to show the family connection amongst each house. Also for the costumes, I would like for them to be vibrant spectacle, a display of colour, shape and pattern that lights up the stage. Although there is still a long way to go with regards to equality within the world, I want to use this show as a celebration of the LGBQT community and also anybody that doesn’t fit into the worlds idea of normal.