Anchors of Costume Design

Researching the World and Characters

Southwest Christian School’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, designed by costume designer Finley Basden, uses costuming to explore new dimensions of color, shape, and texture through the lens of the 1960s and 70s, revealing that even an ancient biblical narrative can be refracted through a modern aesthetic to illuminate timeless themes of imagination, grace, and redemption, anchored by the Director’s Vision Statement, “As we draw back the curtain on Joseph’s dreams, we will bring about the aesthetic of these groovy times alongside the musical’s themes of resilience, forgiveness, and family.”

Our Technicolor Vision and Concept

The Narrators -- Red, Blue, and Yellow -- accompany the rise of the curtain to establish the vibrant, kinetic energy they will weave throughout the entire storyline. The Director’s Vision Statement provides us, “Our Narrators launch the action of our story as they unite their colors in this impactful transaction, and a multitude of colors splash across the stage to invigorate our tale.” Though they are distinct in their color palettes, they intentionally “borrow” pieces from other characters and groups to solidify their role and underscore their omnipresent influence throughout the duration of the narrative. They represent balance and unity, primary colors combining to create a spectrum -- much like how dreams blend fragments of reality into something entirely new.

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The parallelism of Joseph ending the show with his colored coat restored to its former glory, complemented by a golden cloak, signifies the knowledge gained through his trials in Egypt and reflects the full completion of a hero’s journey. The coat itself does not transform -- Joseph does. Its restored brilliance doesn’t reflect privilege, but earned reconciliation. Where his coat once symbolized favoritism and division, it now represents reconciliation and respect. Through the progression of color, silhouette, and texture, the costumes ultimately chart Joseph’s transformation from a naive dreamer to a compassionate leader, visually embodying the story’s message that redemption has an all-encompassing power to heal what once was broken.