Pride & Prejudice: The Musical retells the classic Jane Austen novel, with the big personalities, sweeping romance, and happy ending that audiences have loved for centuries. The costume design for Pride & Prejudice was Abbie Hagen’s MFA Thesis design, culminating her three years of graduate studies.

Initial design inspiration was taken from the paintings and studies of John Constable, an artist who’s work reflected the director’s vision for the piece as a whole. The set,

lighting, and costuming elements created a world that appeared as if one of these paintings had come to life on stage.

Pride & Prejudice is set in 1812 and therefore required historical research in addition to evocative research. Much of Abbie’s early process involved studying clothing from the 1810s, and items from previous years to inform the looks of older characters. She investigated museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Kent State Museum. The majority of her research came from several books written on the topic of early 19th-century clothing.