There are many plays throughout history that tend to grab the hearts of viewers as if they were actually on stage with the actors. From Intimate Apparel's perspective it would seem like it wouldn't be one of those comedies. Just from a brief summary of the story, one would assume that the comedy would be one gossip story after another, maybe even a soap opera type comedy. However, through two set elements, set design and a combination of set and theater, as well as carefully thought-out costumes, Ball State Universities' production of Intimate Apparel allows audiences to become emotionally entwined with the show. The set itself, at first glance seems quite simple, there is a wall, a stage and another wall with some doors and a window. At the beginning of the show, however, it is clear that the simplistic design of the scenery is very well planned. The right side of the stage is set as Esther's bedroom during the show. The room itself is very simple, to the point of being boring. However, as the audience learns more about Esther herself, it becomes clear that this plays into her personality. She lives a rather boring life, where only local gossip and letters to a man she has never met are her only form of entertainment. That said, much like Esther and her talent for fabrics and sewing, the room has its own stylish pieces, including a rather intricate quilt that some might argue is out of date with age. The central part is a mix between a passage to reach the left side and Mr. Mark's fabric shop. This was a wise choice because the theater where Intimate Apparel was shown is a small theater in its own right, so adding a multi-purpose stage that allows for walking, shopping and… middle of paper… …because although Esther was wearing Mayme's exact bustier, she couldn't fill it out like Mayme, and so it wasn't what George was looking for. With every little detail, even the ones most would ignore, Ball State Universities' production of Intimate Apparel transports the audience to 1900 and puts them on stage alongside the actors. Even if the audience simply plays the role of a friend listening to a story, the design of the set, as well as the location where the show takes place, brings with it elements of the show that may have been missed. The color and fabric of the costumes worn by the characters carefully contribute to the already delicate symbols written in the work. Indeed, through set design, set design, theater, and costumes, Ball State Universities' intimate apparel production intricately intertwines the emotions of the show with those of the audience..