The opening sequence is important for establishing the personalities of the different characters. HSM takes place over a five-day school week, so I have divided the post up in that manner. I also wanted these two characters to be dressed in coordinating costumes, not only because they are twins, but to emphasize their isolation and reliance on each other. Separating them by style and color helps to emphasize that discord. Not only are they theatrical kids, but they clearly come from monied, indulgent parents and have trouble fitting in with the other students. I wanted Sharpay & Ryan to be a little bit “off”. Once I had these two costumes, I hoped to build the rest of their image around this beginning. They WERE a bit of a splurge, even on sale, but I have a feeling there will be lots of other shows/occasions in the future to use various parts of the outfits. They are nicely constructed, and the pants washed well. The outfits came with jacket, pants, vest, shirt and tie. I REALLY liked the idea of Ryan rocking a red tux for the closing finale number, and using the same tux in a different color for the first audition scene provided some nice consistency. My vision for Sharpay and Ryan was inspired by an after-Halloween clearance sale on halloweencostumes where I saw these tuxes: I would say I was more “less” than “more” successful in this approach, but it was a learning experience on my part. Partly I did this because I knew that with modern clothes if they didn’t like what I gave them, I would see a variety of surprises showing up on stage but largely as a transition to a time in the future when a different costumer who might ask them to provide more of their own costume pieces.

Our initial appointments were much more open–with me offering a selection of costume possibilities and my ideas, and asking them to identify what scenes they were in, what costumes they would need, and how the planned to play their character. I also anticipated they might provide some of their own costumes. My costuming of this show was a little different from previous shows because I wanted to incorporate the input of the cast members into their costuming choices and character development.

I didn’t quite end up with this, but it is where I began. I had an image of an “old money” Chanel sort of look. Early on, I decided that they should dress in coordinating clothes, and that pink would be “their” color. I decided to start my blogging about “High School Musical” (HSM) with Sharpay and Ryan, because that was where I started, and many of my other costuming decisions branched off of my vision for them–either complimentary, or in contrast.

Sharpay outfit