PCS Blog
HOLY COW THESE COSTUMES ARE GORGEOUS
Posted by Katie Nolen | 04 January 2011 | Comments (4)
Some time ago, our own Artistic Director introduced the cast of our Imaginary Invalid show in his blog. In the same blog, he also posted the sketches of each character's costume. Intrigued, I trekked up a flight of stairs to see what was happening in the costume shop. (EDIT: Since then, Chris has blogged even more about the costumes, so I apologize for any overlap. But I think the work the costumers are doing is so impressive and beautiful, I can't help but want to post the photos I took in additon. The more the merrier, right?)
The Costume Shop! (front to back of photo): Lydia, Foggy, Paula, Susie, Eva, the back of Larissa's head, Fuschia, & Cara. Off to the left are the offices of our incredibly talented resident costume designer, Jeff Cone, and the costume shop assistant, Lindsay Kleinman.
After the general introductions, it's hard to know where to start--all 8 of the above women are working on beautiful items. But Paula was working on the final version of a dress for "Angelique"--a dress she already built the mock-up for! The mock up was fitted to the actor, and she's building the real thing now with those adjustments in mind. Paula has spent two days on the dress to date, and thinks it will take four days total to complete. She told me this with a tone that implied this was on the slow side... Only four days!?! Look at the details in the bodice! Sheesh.
Unable to sew anything beyond a square shape myself, I left my jaw on Paula's table and moved to the next work station...
Lydia working on Beline's skirt, Foggy working on *home-made* ribbons for Cleante & Fleurent's bloomers, and Susie (who you might remember from the wardrobe crew blog--she's multitalented!) working on Toinette's skirts and aprons.
Fuschia & Cara were both working on this blue jacket for M. Bonnefoi.
Fuchsia Lin is a full time costume shop employee (and a fashion designer!), whereas Cara Carr is helping us out as an "over-hire" while we work on this very intricate show. Funny story, Cara was a professor at Reed College while I was a student, and coincidentally taught my stage make-up class the same semester I took a nose dive from a genie lift during a lighting focus. I received a black eye & a concussion for my carelessness, but Cara, looking on the bright side, used me as a model! The other students compared their bruise-work to my real life black and blue "and yellow, notice the yellow here," eye. How fun to get the opportunity to work with a former professor!
Cara generously took some time to catch up with me, and to show me some of the other beautiful garments the shop had been working on.
Slits in Claude de Aria's sleeves to show off his gorgeous undershirts...
More *incredible* sleeves, for Beline, Argon's the conniving wife (left, from Larissa's table), and Fleurent, the apothecary.
Close ups of the gorgeous and complementary fabric selections by designer Jeff Cone-- he was mysteriously absent from the shop... but his staff couldn't have been more complimentary of their boss. Apparently he's shopping for Futura already, designing for Cuckoo, and managing this build at the same time. "Jeff is the BEST at fabric selection" "And he always buys the perfect amount--I used 6 yards in this gown, and I only have this little bit left!" In addition to being a talented designer, it's very apparent that he's well loved in his shop.
The staff also seem to appreciate one another. As I was thanking them for their time and heading towards the door, they all exclaimed "no! stop!", insistent that first I go up to the third floor, where Barbara, the Costume Crafts Artisan, was working on an assortment of shoes, masks, and gloves for the show.
There, I found Barbara in deep conversation with Jeff Cone, costume designer--he was hiding upstairs all this time!
Notice that Barbara wears one of the many hats she's made for this show...
"Aren't these slippers amazing?" Jeff says of Barbara's work.
Here you can see the planning and implementation of shoe modifications--how cool!
And here, some of the bird-like masks--again, Barbara's handiwork.
She's sewing caps that will attach to the masks and ultimately turn them into fabulous head-pieces.
Just gorgeous. Tech rehearsals start tomorrow and I'm excited to see these costumes in action! I would also like to extend a thank you to the costume department staff for being so generous with your time and knowledge, I really appreciate it.
Long blog! But I hope it was fun for all, even if you just skimmed and looked at the photos. :)
Adding in this department brings the total number of backstage workers up to 33. Boom. I love theater!
Comments (4)
Costume Dept.
The costumes for this play are remarkable! I noticed all the shoes, slippers, masks and clothing that you show in this site, and wondered how you ever find everything you need. Now I know you don’t—you make them. WOW! I love sewing and have enjoyed the costumes in all the PCS productions. I realize, sometimes thing must just come out of the actors closets!
Thank you all for enjoyment you bring to us.
Pat Kehr
Joanny—fine by me! glad you liked it! -Katie
Blog Live - Dream - Love ( http://thedowsersdaughter.blogspot.com/) blog
Fabulous post, loved all the photo’s from back stage. Lavish and sensually beautiful. Would love to post some on my blog.
Joanny
Wow, so exciting! It’s fun to hear Barbara tinkering her away down the hall in Costume Crafts. Kudos to our awesome Costume Shop!!
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