Thread: Group veil colors???

Okay, we're doing a medium-size group piece (7 dancers) where we use different props, but we've got a nice upbeat section for about a minute where I want to use veils.

I'm tempted to have every dancer use a different colored veil, because I like the look of a clown explosion, but I need some advice on what will actually look GOOD on stage, and not jarring.

The costume is probably going to be all one color -- probably black jazz pants, and a black/silver coin bra or something. If we can find cheap jazz pants in a color, I'd like to go with a blue or maroon. So keep that in mind when giving advice.

Should we all have veils the same color? I was also thinking plain white veils with a gradient dye, or one accent color splashed throughout it.

One dancer will solo for 25 seconds, so she could have a different color veil, just to break things up. The other dancers are around her in a semi-circle. They all ditch the veils after a minute and pick up cymbals for the rest of the dance.

Any suggestions? I keep thinking a rainbow look will be kind of hideous with so many people.
Thanks!

A local bellydance group did a veil number and they had on black and did the rainbow veil thing and it looked really good. If you don't like the idea maybe find silver veils.

All jewel-tones in a rainbow with black would be effective. With maroon or blue pants, maybe white veils?

You might consider all cool tones: blues, purples - or warm: reds, oranges, yellows.

Originally Posted by CFerhat

You might consider all cool tones: blues, purples - or warm: reds, oranges, yellows.

I second that notion -- keeping the colors together in one part of the spectrum would look great.

i suggest start your design with where the piece will be presented.
what color[s] are the background?
what type of lighting?

if the background is not black or very dark, then all black costumes with vibrant veils would be nice.

however, blue or maroon with a rainbow of veils might be too much for the eyes.

what about blue costumes with cool tone veils or maroon costumes with warm tone veils?
black with a gradient of color to black or grey?

if the background is very light, caution against very light veils or their shapes wont pop.

I think using different colors works if they are all the same value. If someone has a barely there pink someone else shouldn't have neon orange. It would also look pretty if you picked one color and everyone had a different shade. I like the idea of the rainbow veils against the black costumes, too.

You could also think in primaries. Those always compliment each other well like Yellow and bright purple.
The other thing you might consider is skin tones and hair color.
xoxo,
-NJ

I forgot I even made this post. Thank you for the suggestions! I'm never sure what the background is going to be because I'm never sure which shows we're doing!

I hope you're able to view this. Our Troupe (Samovar) does an entrance for some shows that we call "Kaliedoscope" because we're all wearing different colors and are using different colored veils. It's a awesome entrance![ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWegA3GWrYE]YouTube - Ruric-Amari & Troupe Samovar - Mediterranean Echoes[/ame]