Darcy
McGrath
Creator and curator of curious artworks
As of the start of the 19th of July 2021, I participated in undertaking a project that would end as a marvellous theatre production titled Algorithm. This project started by meeting the writer and director of the show Daniel Evans, and all other participants in said project. Our group ranged in various skillsets from acting students, drama students, technical production students, and visual art students all from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia. My role in this production was of Costume Designer and this role was also shared with my good friend Lachlan Putzolu.
I started by reading the script and theorising what I thought the different characters would wear in different scenes. A way that I help categorise and visualise my styles for each character I made a Pinterest where I collected inspiration and general vibes.
https://www.pinterest.com.au/darmcgr/algorithm-by-daniel-evans-costumes/
I worked on collected materials for around 4-5 weeks even while we had decided on costumes.

Next thing was that I and Lachlan combined our measurements of the actors from our previous productions.

As we made continual checkups with not only the director but also the actors we started to scout items from the costume room. This also allowed us to gain a better understanding of what we would need to possibly purchase. These are photos from the items we pull from the costume room on our first couple of days





Me and Lachlan created a costume log in chronological order so that we could keep track of items, where we were sourcing items from and quick changes .

We also made another costume log that incorporated inspiration pictures so that the actors could check if they had any similar items.

The google drive created so that the actors could send us photos of items they think would work with our vision. We did this because of conrona virus we could not see items in person.


As we started to purchase items we would fill in this spread sheet to keep track of our spending and our budget. I also used this to keep track of what I had purchased and what I still needed to buy.

During this time we also started to schedule fittings with the actors. As we did this an got their input we would send the images to the director to check with his vision. Here are some photos from the fittings.
We also had fittings and costume checks in the loft which is where the performances were held. These were conducted in the loft because it was during bump in. These fittings were later than wanted due it issues with me and my co-designers visions and the director's visions.
Things I did however I did not take photos of was; hemming a dress and a skirt, fixing a zipper on the back of a dress, replacing the shoe's laces with elastic on two pairs of shoes, took in a bikini top and bottom, and add felt onto the button of a couple of pairs of shoes to quieten the sound. And throughout show week I fixed buttons that popped off. I also made the cape/dress that Gabbie wore in the final act Smells like the Past.

This is my show plot that told what I would be doing before, during and after the show in case of an absence however, this changed during the duration of the show week.

As I state in the show plot me and my co-designer Lachlan spent time after and before every show washing and drying the costumes. The amount of time each day was around 2-3 hours not including drying time. The washing process including both hand and machine washing, and drying included tumble drying, air drying and on a certain situation drying with a hair dryer, air con, and by swinging it around.

























Photos of the Production crew, Director and Cast

