Practical Considerations in Designing Costumes for Contemporary Dance Performances in Cape Coast, Ghana

 Albert Dennis (2024)

 The African space is characterised by performances of diverse forms, and dance remains a cornerstone in this regard. Notably, contemporary dance has become widespread in Ghana, especially in Cape Coast, where its utilitarian and aesthetic forms are greatly appreciated. Costume, a vital visual element in performances, plays a key role in contemporary dance, where its stylistic representation adds to the depth and breadth of the performance. Unlike various traditional dances in Ghana associated with the use of specific costumes identified based on inspiring philosophical postulations that shaped the dance, the same cannot be said of costumes used for contemporary dance. Drawing on the qualitative method of inquiry and using the purposive sampling technique to sample three dance groups in Cape Coast, the study employed a semi-structured interview guide as an instrument to collect data to beam a search into practical considerations in designing costumes for contemporary dance performances in Cape Coast. The findings revealed that designing costumes for contemporary dance is not done in a vacuum but thrives on the colour of fabrics, the body size of performers, the dance movements involved, the motifs in the fabric used to construct costumes and finally, the cost of materials. With a treasure trove of findings, the study recommends that dance groups engage professional costumiers to costume their performances. Ultimately, the study contributes to scholarship on costume design for contemporary dance performances as it pertains to Cape Coast in particular and the Ghanaian experience.