Many beginning and hobbyist costumers believe that professional costume/prop builders have unlimited and specialized resources with which to ply their craft. Actually, the pros create things in much the same way that hobbyists do, working as resourcefully and creatively as possible with a limited budget. Creating the Character Costume dives into these methods to showcase how to achieve expert looks with limited means and lots of creativity. Part One explores tools, materials, and construction methods.

A treasury of patterns, instructions, and ideas, this ingenious book is as varied as the children's own fantasies. Featuring costumes ranging from a Cockroach to the Gingerbread Man's Revenge to storybook characters like Merlin the Magician and the Dragonslayer, the book also includes safety information, a materials resource, and "recipes" for nontoxic makeup. Fully illustrated.

Shares instructions for making costumes for Halloween and Christmas as well as, bird, fish, zodiac, and historical costumes.

Costumes are an integral part of any performance, adding believability, conveying setting, or establishing the tone, a fact that is no less true when your performer is a puppet! The only book of its kind, The Well-Dressed Puppet will show you how to create costumes and accessories tailored specifically for your puppet that will enhance any performance. Gone are the days of ill-fitting store-bought clothing that restrict the movement and use of your puppet. Author Cheralyn Lambeth walks you through every step of the costume-making process with detailed lists of the necessary materials, equipment, and patterns required to create a costume from scratch. She also shares multiple tips and information on how to modify off-the-rack clothing to fit any puppet. Suitable for both beginners and more advanced costumers, The Well-Dressed Puppet demonstrates basic sewing and construction techniques while still providing advanced projects for customers who have already mastered those skills.

Everywhere you go, homes display colorful, lively banners for holidays, seasons and special occasions. Now you can design your own banners or adapt one from this step-by-step guide. Instructions are easy to follow with simple patterns and helpful drawings.

• Foreword by Paul Newman • Completely revised and updated version of a beloved theater classic • Replaces Kids Take the Stage, ISBN 0-8230-7742-X • Clear, practical guide to helping kids ages 8 to 18 get a show up and running The classic Kids Take the Stage is one of the best-selling Back Stage Books of all time. Now Back Stage is proud to present the completely revised and updated second edition of this indispensable guide to getting young people on stage and helping them create their own shows. For teachers, for parents, for budding actors, emerging crew, and incipient directors—this is the book that shows how to get a production up and running...and have fun in the process. Clear and accessible, Kids Take the Stage outlines a systematic approach to staging, complete with basic lessons in acting, relaxation and trust-building exercises, and improvisations. From first read-through to opening night, from butterflies to bravos, this is the perfect book to help young people realize their creative potential. www.sherrihaab.com . Nina Edwards is a graphic designer and illustrator. She lives in New York City.