“In Committee” – part 3
August 15, 2009 by wmmascot
When I was a kid, I envisioned intricate and complicated Halloween costumes for myself. I can remember my mother saying, “I’m not sure we can make that idea into a costume that you can wear.” Now that I’m on the mascot search committee, I know exactly why she said that and what she meant.
The committee is noodling over many, many ideas that, in the end, won’t be easily represented in a costume. Remember, mascots are expected to be pretty nimble and active in these suits. Here are a couple of suggestions where “making that into a costume” is problematic:
Example 1: The Tribe Spirit
It was suggested that the Tribe Spirit wear an ethereal costume in multiple colors.
Example 2: The Keystone
The wedge-shaped piece at the summit of an arch, regarded as holding the other pieces in place – similar to any of the ones adorning the Chapel at W&M.
In Committee? We are eliminating ideas that are not easily represented in a costume.
- Susan T. Evans
One Response to ““In Committee” – part 3”
I beg to differ that The Tribe Spirit is “not easily represented.” Part of the beauty of the concept is that it allows a great deal of flexibility in representation. (For example, the person portraying The Tribe Spirit could easily be of any race or gender.) Surely, with a little creativity and imagination, there are many ways to make a costume as described: many ways to employ multiple colors, many materials that can lend an “ethereal” appearance without compromising agility (just one example: a bodysuit of shimmery material that reflects the light like a prism could be incorporated). Consider some of the beautiful costumes that dancers wear: Dancers certainly can’t have their agility compromised, yet they frequently wear things that help give them an “ethereal” appearance.
I couldn’t help noticing that there was no one from the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance on the committee. What an unfortunate oversight! Someone experienced in costume design and creation could have provided valuable advice on how costumes for the various concepts might be achieved; this might have kept some promising original concepts from being so easily dismissed.