AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OFJennifer N. Helms, for the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater Design, presented on March 26, 2024, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: SEEING WITH NEW EYES: A COSTUME DESIGN THESIS ON WEDDING BAND: A LOVE/HATE STORY IN BLACK AND WHITEMAJOR PROFESSOR: Wendi R. Zea This thesis document is a presentation and exploration of the process involving the costume design for Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White by Alice Childress. The play was produced in the Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theatre at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and ran from November 30 – December 10, 2023. This dramatic play explores the complexities of racism, prejudice, alienation, love in all forms, and the value of female kinship. It reminds us that fear brings out the very real ugliness of hate; while leading with love gives us strength to stand up with dignity, courage to face the ugly, and motivation to push through the bitterness of heartache to take care of the ones we love. Chapter 1 contains the research, background information, and script analysis that was conducted to prepare and inform the design of the costumes. This chapter also highlights the goals I wanted to achieve within my design and on a personal level. Chapter 2 focuses on the design process and how the costume design evolved through collaboration, continued research, and discussion. Chapter 3 documents the production process of the design and how it progressed to realization, including an examination of the dress rehearsals and the production’s performances. Chapter 4 records an analysis of the entire design and its evolution through outside critiques, commentary, and self-reflection.