Who remembers dressing up as a child? What about now, what costume would you wear and why? Get ready to learn about the transformative nature of wearing costumes.

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Looking back, I recall one of my favorite TV shows was “Mr. Dressup”. The show’s cast included Casey (a little red-headed androgynous puppet) and his dog, Finnegan (a tan-coloured dog hand puppet). It was a 30-minute CBC daily daytime show that started in 1967 and aired until 1996. It was one of the longest-running Canadian TV shows.

By today’s standards, this show would be considered low-budget. However, one component that kept people watching was Mr. Dressup’s “Tickle Trunk”. This Tickle Trunk was a flowery red trunk filled with a variety of different costumes. Each one of the 4000 episodes included a segment. This involved a venture to the trunk, which initiated a short make-believe story. All three of the main characters of the show and, on occasion, guests would participate.  

Once I became a mother, one of the first contributions to my daughter’s playroom was a “tickle trunk”. I collected various costumes for them to share their make-believe theater. It became a staple ingredient from my own childhood that was handed down like a good recipe.

Costumes Through the Ages

Dressing up has deep historical roots beyond modern festivities like Halloween. In ancient Egypt, costumes and masks were used in religious rituals to connect with the divine. Similarly, Ancient Greek theater employed masks to embody gods and mythical characters, making performances sacred experiences. During the European Renaissance, masquerade balls allowed the elite to explore freedom and mystery under the guise of anonymity.

In many Indigenous cultures, masks played a crucial role in spiritual ceremonies. Specific adornments also assisted in expressing heritage and a connection to nature. Meanwhile in Asia, traditional theatrical forms such as Beijing Opera, Noh, and Kabuki rely on symbolic costumes. These costumes are essential to enrich storytelling. Overall, dressing up has served as a powerful medium for spiritual, social, and cultural expression throughout history.

Costumes for Confidence and Connection

“Dressing up”, often seen as a playful or aesthetic activity, can offer profound psychological and emotional benefits. It can significantly boost self-confidence and self-esteem. Wearing a costume allows individuals to embody traits they admire helping them feel more empowered and assertive. This sense of transformation can positively influence their behavior and mindset in everyday life.

Additionally, the creative process of designing and wearing costumes stimulates imagination. It enhances problem-solving skills. This process contributes to stress reduction and improved mental well-being. Dressing up provides a safe outlet for self-exploration. It allows individuals to confront personal fears or emotions through role-play. For instance, a vulnerable person might choose to dress as a mythical figure. The character could then help in processing and releasing difficult feelings.

Furthermore, participating in costume-related events fosters social connection. They provide a sense of belonging. These activities help to combat loneliness and strengthen interpersonal bonds. Costume Therapy is fast becoming a new way to explore healing through donning various forms of attire.

Costumes as Therapy

Costumes offer powerful psychological and emotional benefits. They allow people to express themselves, explore different aspects of their identity, and gain confidence by embodying new characters. This process can help reduce social anxiety and improve self-esteem. As an embodied coach, performer, photographer, and designer, Diamond establishes that the performance is medicine.

Throughout Diamond’s life she has worked ‘at the intersection of art and ceremony.’ Her explorations with herself and others have resulted in a method that heals the psyche. As she says, “You don’t just look at the wound – you become it to release it.”

Costume therapy and ‘dressing up’ create a safe way to process complex emotions. They foster social connection through shared events. This ultimately supports greater self-acceptance and authenticity in daily life.

Costume Choice and Community

Shared Experiences and Events: Dressing up for events like Halloween, conventions, or themed parties creates a sense of belonging. These occasions bring people together, encouraging interaction and group participation, which can lead to lasting friendships and community bonds. [rickyshalloween.com]

Conversation Starters: Costumes often spark curiosity and conversation. People are naturally drawn to unique outfits, making it easier to approach others, break the ice, and start meaningful discussions. This is especially true at conventions or costume parties, where attendees share a common interest. [psychologytoday.com]

Role-Playing and Empathy: When people dress up, especially in group settings, they often engage in role-play. This helps develop empathy and understanding by allowing individuals to step into someone else’s shoes. It gives a vision of the world from an alternate perspective and expands diverse experiences. [costume-shop.com]

Community Building: Costume groups, cosplay communities, and themed workshops foster a sense of community. Members collaborate on costume creation, share tips, and support each other’s creative efforts. These activities encourage teamwork, communication, and mutual respect. [theurbancrews.com]

Boosting Confidence and Reducing Social Anxiety: Wearing a costume can empower individuals to express themselves more freely. They can reduce social anxiety without the use of toxins. This confidence makes it easier to engage with others and participate in group activities, further strengthening social ties. [atozcosplay.com]

Family and Intergenerational Bonding: Families who dress up together for events or themed activities experience increased bonding and collaboration. These shared creative experiences can deepen emotional connections and foster communication across generations. [snuggymom.com]

In summary, costumes act as a bridge for social connections. They provide opportunities for shared experiences, creative expression, and supportive community engagement. So, when entertaining the idea of workshops, one-on-one sessions with a ‘Costume Therapist’, or a community event reflect. How did that costume transform you?

OTHER REFERENCES:

Abundance Therapy Center

Danielle Diamond Website

Mr. Dressup

VIDEO INTERVIEW with Dr. Lee Beavington

When I was doing my undergrad back in the late 20^th century early 21^st century, we studied the Renaissance art movement in Art History. This specific era embraced artists that utilized multidisciplinary methods such as sculpting, painting and drawing in their artmaking. This era was earmarked as a cultural rebirth from the 15^th century to the 17^th century. We are now experiencing a Renaissance 2.0 in education.

History repeats

During the bridge from the 20^th to the 21^st century, old world ideas started to shift. Even though, Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner developed alternative student-centered educational models in the early 20th century. It took decades to see mainstream shifts away from the static siloed approaches. For instance, the act of teaching science, art, math and social sciences separately with no overlap.

With anatomical and psychological sciences understanding the human brain’s dynamism, educational curriculums began to adopt holistic learning methods. These methods consisted of utilizing arts-based teaching within science and math. Meanwhile, throughout history, Indigenous teachings have used this holistic method consistently. So, the circle comes around.

STEAM and other such streams

Nowadays, this is called STEAM-based learning.  This educational approach integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics to foster critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Some interesting facts about this type of teaching and learning are it’s ignition of brain chemistry. This form of teaching has been proven to release a neuro-chemical cocktail of dopamine, norepinephrine, endorphins and anandamide (bliss molecule). 

Chemically Attractive

Why is this body chemistry important? Based on Susan Riley’s, CEO and Founder of The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM, research, these chemicals allow for long term learning. This creative cocktail first enhances pattern recognition/motivation (dopamine). Second, it sharpens focus and attention (norepinephrine). Thirdly, endorphins create a sense of well-being, this chemical ensures longer term commitment. Finally. Anandamide forges new neuro networks.

She goes on to state that this process is associated with integrating art into all processes of learning where we engage the whole brain, not just specific areas of the brain. It has been studied that integrating creativity into learning modalities allows for the ‘executive control’ network (focusing) and ‘default network’ (daydreaming) to work in tandem. During these moments, alpha (relaxed alertness) and theta brain waves (memorizing) are heightened during arts-based learning. In the end, integrating arts-based teaching allows for better long term memory retention.

Kombucha Leather and other creations…

What does art-based learning in science look like? Well, it looks like a foundation for new innovations in science and tech. For one instructor, Elle LeBlanc, talking about how to integrate art-based concepts into high school biology and chemistry can be tricky but definitely doable.

For example, she discusses how her students “created biodegradable paint as a way to demonstrate an eco-friendly chemical reaction and understand the scientific basis of color, light, and how to name compounds.” In this same class, students altered ingredients to create other bio-friendly materials such as kombucha leather and bio-concrete. She establishes the non-hazardous ingredients are readily available in any marketplace.

In Biology class, she has assisted students in learning the challenging subject of genetics. Students can learn through making protein bracelets or using folded paper for protein structures. Here is the link to the Edutopia article. It also has internal links to these projects.

Integrated Learning and Teaching in Post Secondary

While doing my MA in Arts Education, I met a brilliant artist and scientist, Lee Beavington. Upon successfully completing his MA degree, he continued to complete his PhD at Simon Fraser University. His research won eighteen merit-based scholarships and fellowships, including a SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, a SSHRC Storytellers’ Award, and a SSHRC Engagement Prize. Recently, he was awarded the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Distinguished Teaching Award. He even has been touted with creating a video for the renowned, popular music artist, Peter Gabriel. In this video, he explored the mixture of biology with art using AI.

Dr. Beavington has approached all his projects through inquiry-based holistic teaching methods. He has successfully taught in five different faculties bridging the arts to science. He currently explores his teaching in Biology through a place-based lens where students are actively engaging the world around them. Much like author, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Dr. Beavington engages students in ecological place-based activities like farm or forest visits and creek clean ups.

Next Generation of Teachers

Harkening back to four years ago during his doctoral studies, Beavington explored a project called “Ecology and Colour in 1m2” with Amy Huestis (Fine Arts) and Carson Keever (Science). Their undergrad students went into a forest environment and found a 1m2 piece of land. The students analyzed either the ecology (science) or the colour theory (arts) of the chosen space depending on their field of study.

Dr. Beavington said that students reported “an increased feeling of health and wellness.” Also, they felt that their “learning was deepened, and they were more motivated. One student even said it was transformative.”

This exploration, plus many experiences after that, cemented Dr. Beavington’s philosophy that learning and teaching need to be approached from a more holistic and place-based lens. Now, he is working on many administrative projects. One such project is the website for Decolonizing Indigenous Practices. He spearheaded this project in collaboration with five different Indigenous communities and various consultants around British Columbia.

Additional video excerpts

The Didgeridoo is a 40,000-year-old instrument; it is now changing perceptions in music making and the healing arts. Originating from Arnhem Land, the Northern Aboriginal region of Australia, the didgeridoo has a global presence. Can this popular instrument help heal our spirit?

NEW: David Bindi Hudson Interview

NEW: Richard Poher Interview

The Traveling Didgeridoo

My interest in this instrument grew during a trip to France. While exploring the many facets of Paris, I ran across a Jazz musician who played didgeridoo in combination with piano. You’ll hear more from Richard Poher in a follow-up interview. But one of my questions became, “how did this instrument make its way to France?”

The didgeridoo, also known as the Yiḏaki, Yigi Yigi, and various other regional names among Australian Aboriginal communities. It’s been scientifically dated to be 1500 years old. However, some have said the number is more like 40,000 years. The name “Didgeridoo” is an onomatopoetic term given by Europeans based on the sound that it creates. The first recognition of the instrument by colonists occurred between 1788-1900.

From the 20th century onward, the instrument became more widely known in mainstream culture, particularly during the 1970s. This period saw an increase in interest in folk music and the emergence of the new age movement. During the 1980s-90s, collaborations, such as, Midnight Oil with Yothu Yindi contributed to the instrument’s visibility in North America. The popularity of New Age healing practices also introduced the instrument to that continent. In the 1990s-2000, World Music Festivals were on the rise. This provided a platform for artists to experiment with different sounds through collaborative performances. David Hudson’s collaboration with YANNI from 1996-2005 is one such example.  

AI Generated by CHAT GPT

The Didgeridoo comes to Paris, France

Today,  the didgeridoo is recognized as the cultural symbol of Australia. Yet, it is also unquestionably connected to its origins in Aboriginal culture. Richard Poher, embarking on an MA at the Conservatoire de Paris, mentioned, “Why?” he combines the didgeridoo with the piano. He said, “It was an act of combining the occidental (western world) with the indigenous perspective. It’s a way of bringing our current world concepts together and into the forefront.”  With this adoption into the larger global community comes a needed respect for the instrument and its origins.

Image Courtesy of Richard Poher

The Didgeridoos Body

Artisans have traditionally crafted didgeridoos from termite-hollowed eucalyptus and bamboo—materials abundant in Australia. After selecting the right trunk, they modify it and often add a beeswax mouthpiece for comfort. The didgeridoo features prominently in dance, storytelling, and ceremonial activities. Artisans frequently decorate didgeridoos with motifs that reference local plants and animals, symbolizing the instrument’s connection to the region. In Aboriginal cultures, men typically play the didgeridoo during sacred ceremonies.

In recent years, makers have crafted didgeridoos from a range of hardwoods by splitting, boring out, and rejoining the materials. Additionally, they have introduced new substances, such as glass, fiberglass, metal, agave, clay, resin, PVC piping, and carbon fiber, expanding both the instrument’s versatility and its reach.

The Didgeridoos Voice

The voice of the Didgeridoo is a unique combination of a distinctive drone twinned with a buzz. The player’s circular breathing technique, in tandem with various oral manipulations, creates the unique reverberations. Like most wind instruments (aerophones) this method uses an “in through the nose, out through the mouth” action. Yet, the circular breathing is mixed with lips vibrating “like an elongated raspberry.” This mixture, along with other vocalizations, gives this instrument its distinct sound quality.

The tones produced will also vary depending on the materials used, their length, and internal diameters.  In Aboriginal cultures and beyond, the variety of sounds can emulate those of the dingo and kookaburra. David Hudson, Australia’s top 10 renowned Didge players, gives some helpful tips here.

In an upcoming interview, SeeChangemakers will talk to David Hudson. We will discuss the cultural significance of this instrument. We will also explore its importance to Australia’s Aboriginal culture.

The Didgeridoos Healing Spirit

Like Tibetan Singing Bowls, the Didgeridoo sound is known for its healing properties. Unlike the bowls, it also relies on breathwork. this circular breathing technique. strengthens the respiratory system. Meanwhile, scientific studies have shown it to decrease sleep apnea as well. This breathing technique can align the energies within the body. The deep resonant sounds emit an echo and vibrate the human body. In combination, this energetic clearing power of the didgeridoo is “like a reiki or qi gong power washer.”

Spiritually speaking, the Didgeridoo is used ceremonially in Aboriginal cultures, accompanying songs, dances, and storytelling. It connects the people to their ancestors, land (Country), and the Dreaming (the Aboriginal understanding of world creation and existence). So, it is important that non-Aboriginal people respect the gifting of such tools for their own pleasure and healing modalities. Knowing and acknowledging Aboriginal peoples as the custodians of this instrument, plus respecting the protocols within traditional ceremonies, are key.

By Theresa K. Howell