This is an invaluable guide for anyone who designs, or aspires to design, costumes for stage productions. It explains the role of the costume designer, from understanding the script to realizing ideas on paper and in fabric. Among the topics covered are art and design materials; exercises for developing drawing skills; script and character analysis; the theater production process; and approaches to historical and modern dress productions. This excellent guide is complete with a fabric dictionary of textiles and their terms. Gary Thorne designs for repertory theater in Canada, England, and France. He is also the author of Stage Design: A Practical Guide.