10 Opera Halloween Costumes
Looking for Halloween costume inspiration? Look no further than the opera stage!
These 10 characters from recent HOT productions would surely make a show-stopping costume. Share your opera-inspired Halloween costumes on social media with #HOTHalloween!
The Dutchman – The Flying Dutchman
Ryan McKinny as The Dutchman in HOT’s 2015 production of The Flying Dutchman
Suggested supplies:
Dark, large jacket
Dark pants
Suspenders
Rope
Boots
Dark Gloves
Tip:
Use black body paint to give yourself a fake chest tattoo of a ship. Black eyeliner gives the Dutchman a cursed gaze.
The Queen of the Night – The Magic Flute
So Young Park as the Queen of the Night in the 2015 HOT production of The Magic Flute
Suggested supplies:
Silver Crown and Jewelry
Dark purple or blue skirt
Dark purple or blue top
Dark purple or blue cape
Wings
Tip:
DIY wings can be created with wire and cellophane. Accent this costume with any moon or star accessories and use glittery eyeshadow, long false lashes, and purple lipstick for face make-up.
The Clown, Canio – I Pagliacci / Carmina Burana
Kip Wilborn as Canio in the 2014 HOT production of I Pagliacci/ Carmina Burana
Suggested supplies:
Long, white shirt
Ruffled collar
Red pom-pom balls
Hot glue gun
White, red, and black face make-up
Tip:
Hot glue three red pom-pom balls to the front of a long white shirt to form buttons. Colored permanent markers or fabric die can be used to create designs on the ends of the sleeves and waist line. For clown make-up, apply white make-up all over your face and fill in a red triangle shape over your nose. Then add black eyebrows curving up above your nose, along with a black tear drop. Red lipstick may be applied, as well.
The Fairy Queen, Tytania – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Anne Carolyn Bird as Tytania in the 2016 HOT production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Suggested supplies:
Light blue dress
Flower Crown
Glitter
Blue tulle could also be purchased and wrapped around this costume to form a fairy cape. Make it a group costume and find friends to dress up as Tytania’s fairies.
The Geisha Girl, Cio-Cio San – Madam Butterfly
Lina Tetriani as Cio-Cio San in the 2014 HOT production of Madam Butterfly
Suggested supplies:
Light, silk kimono or robe
Flower hair embellishments
Paper fan
Tip:
Butterfly accessories will help tell the story of this opera character. Cio-Cio San means “butterfly” in Japanese.
The Bullfighter, Escamillo – Carmen
Darren Stokes as the bullfighter Escamillo in the 2017 HOT production of Carmen
Suggested supplies:
Black Capris
Pink Tights
Red Sash
Blue Shirt
Black Hat
Red Cape
Tip:
Wear black pants over pink tights and tie the sash around your waist. Position the red cape over one shoulder to look like a true matador. Don’t forget your rose.
The Doll, Olympia – The Tales of Hoffmann
Rachele Gilmore as Olympia in the 2017 HOT production of The Tales of Hoffmann
Suggested supplies:
Colored wig
Long Dress with wide skirt or tutu
Ribbon
Shepherd cane
Tip:
If you can’t find a colored wig, buy a light colored synthetic wig and die it with fabric die. You can also create a staff with empty paper towel rolls taped together with clear packaging tape. Use the ribbon to create a necklace, and be sure to have a dazed expression!
The Bird Catcher, Papageno – The Magic Flute
Curt Olds as Papageno in the 2015 HOT production of The Magic Flute
Suggested supplies:
Green pants
Green shirt
Backpack
Feathers in assorted colors
Handheld net
Bendable cardboard
Hot glue gun
String
Tip:
To create a pan flute, roll 5 small pieces of cardboard into tubes. Hot glue all tubes together at the sides and cut the bottoms at an angle. Use a hole punch to cut holes near the top and bottom of each cardboard tube. Run string through the holes at the top and tie the string to form a necklace.
The Gypsy Girl, Carmen – Carmen
Kate Aldrich as Carmen in the 2017 HOT production of Carmen
Suggested Supplies:
Tan short-sleeved top
Long red skirt
Black bustier
Scarf
Paper
Tip:
Roll a 3- to 4-inch piece of white paper tightly and color one end yellow for a fake cigarette. Wear the bustier over top of the short-sleeved shirt, and loosely tie scarf around your waist. Gold hoop earrings and bangles also make for great additions to a gypsy costume.