The brief and the finished project
We were delighted to contribute 3D-printed parts to the new stage production of Bastard, which premiered after thirty years on the musical stage of Brno City Theatre (MDB). Directed by Petr Gazdík , the production offers a modern, visually striking interpretation of a story inspired by biblical themes.
The production premiered on 20 April 2024 , with distinctive costumes combining traditional theatre techniques and modern 3D technology contributing to its overall aesthetic.
CUBELAB’s 3D printing studio in Brno was asked to print the individual parts of the costume for Homunculus, a prominent character in the production. The design was created by Petr Hloušek, working with costume designers Andrea Kučerová and Bára Kuropatová.
Because the costume demanded anatomical accuracy and a precise fit, its 3D design was based on a detailed 3D scan of the actor’s body. This made it possible to prepare accurate sections that respected the actor’s movement, proportions and physique.
From data to a practical design
We turned the supplied 3D design into a set of logically arranged structural parts. Each needed to be strong yet light, visually appealing and easy to attach to the costume’s textile base.
Based on the geometric and functional requirements, we chose PLA, a material that is:
- made from renewable resources,
- strong and stable,
- well suited to detailed, accurate printing,
- easy to finish: it can be sanded, painted and given a patina.
This was a key advantage, as the costume would undergo substantial artistic finishing.
Producing the parts for the costume workshop
Each part was printed with attention to surface quality and accuracy. Printing was followed by:
- support removal,
- hand finishing,
- final work on edges and details,
- testing the fit between parts.
The parts were then returned to the costume designers, who continued their creative process with surface finishing, painting, ageing effects and attachment to the final fabric costume.
The combination of modern technology and traditional theatre craft produced a distinctive costume with a strong, sculptural and unmistakable presence on stage.
Collaboration and materials
The material supplier for this project was the Czech manufacturer Abaflex, whose filaments provided consistent printing and clean detail across all costume parts.
Bastard explores questions that have accompanied humanity for centuries: Who are we? Where are we heading?
Homunculus, part creation and part guide, is a key figure in the dramatic arc. It was therefore particularly important to create a costume that carried both the visual and symbolic layers of the story.
3D printing provided the accurate shapes, repeatable parts and modern visual character that the production required.
This approach also enables efficient, high-quality costume part production for larger projects in film, theatre, live shows, themed events and cosplay.
