Sugarplum Psychosis!!

Nutcracker 2009

Just the word can bring instant visions of Sugarplum Fairies dancing in my mind and yes, I can hear the music already. Immediately we embark on the annual journey of a ballet companies wardrobe adventure! While i love this time of year, i do know other costumers who absolutely dread it(one friend told me she hears the music and feels sick to her stomach!). This year we have already been contacted by a ballet company to handle their Nutcracker wardrobe, so I thought that perhaps all of you would enjoy a ride on the Nutcracker 2009 roller coaster. We will delve into the deep and dark recesses of costuming an entire production, with over 200 costumes, needing to be inventoried, photographed, built, repaired, rehabbed, fitted, issued, returned, cleaned and re inventoried. Get those Excel spread sheets READY!!! Yahoo, i cant wait....

Let me preface this by filling you in on the fact that I have built many Nutcrackers previously. Some have been for tiny companies, piece by piece year by year. Other times it has been for LARGE Companies, filling in or expanding their existing wardrobes. And a hundred billion times we have built Sugarplum Tutus for Soloists around the world. This is the first time I have been brought in to update and existing wardrobe completely. We will be building some pieces but have not yet determined exactly what they will be. Thank goodness they have some very gifted people on their staff who have already started to lay the ground work. When my staff gets there most of the grunt work should be able to be handled by their volunteers, and hopefully we will be able to get started on the designing/building ASAP, with the volunteers pitching in.

Comedy of Errors- Part Trois

Well, I think its all done. Tech night on Monday, the first dress rehersal at the winery.

I arrived early enough to get the cast into their costumes. I indulged the cast one on one at this time, and hold audience with each of them privately, so they can go over the intricacies of thier costume peices, changes etc. But listen up thespians, you will only get me ONCE..I AM NOT A DRESSER!!

And, lo and behold, the costumes look....good!! They are a group, and aid in the farcical setting. The actors are extremely happy, and are inspired by the designs. From the moment the textiles adorn their limbs, strains of "I dream of Jeanie" and "Alladin" are heard wafting through the vineyards. Success!!

The Disney Turkish designs work well in this night setting, and the Director tells me that my costumes are magical, making the actors are somehow much funnier than they were at the previous night rehersal. (Thank goodness we broke out the unicorn thread to use on this order!)
There were a few changes to the costume plot, a few repairs, a few add ons (like more hats and sashes), but no major disasters. And several of the cast pulled me side to say how much they loved their costumes and appreciated our work.

There are hats, hats, hats, and more hats! Who would have guessed that Disney Turkish would be so hat heavy. Even after everything was completed, the director asked for more hats!! Turbans, and veils, and somberos, oh my!!. My goodness, we have a plethora of millenery represented in this show. A conicopia of crowns, fez, and mob caps. Gee, hats must be really funny, or magical....

So, on to footwear! We have made history in this show with our use of Shoes. And not just any shoes, Custom made shoes! Gold curly toed Genie shoes, patchwork Jester boots, embroidered, beaded, sequined, and it doesnt stop there. If you aren't shod in a custom pair of xv mona roses, you are wearing Converse in one of a kalidoscope of colors (wow, can I find any more adjectives to use?)

I sat through a complete run through, and it was a good funny show. The actors spewed forth their difficult dialogues with ease, the story was easy to follow, and their foibles comical. I look back on the production with not a single "what if" or "if there was more $$ then we could have-". I had decided early in the show to build everything full out (translation: out of their budget), and at the level which I need to design/build to be satified artistically, and have no regrets.

I am of course indebted to my wonderful, amazing staff who support me to no end . The steady stream of food, and coffee, and kind words. They always come through to the Nth degree, cheering me on. They are the real stars. The schedulers, and finshers, trim people, who always inspire and enable me to go on.

thanks wendy robi sara cathleen and trish, you make us look so good!!!

Comedy of Errors- Part Duex

We had fitting today for about half the cast, it went VERY well. Everyone is enthusiastic, even those whose costumes are not quite ready for a fitting, or only had a half fitting. It was nice to see so many happy faces, and have such positive feed back. To have ones work appreciated makes the hard work tolerable to say the least.

Ageon, was amazing, all the female rolls looked great. Sorry to the Antipholouses/Dromios. I just did not have time to get your pieces prepared. And after all, your only leads, right? LOL, as if your costumes are the most important!! Actually i am just a bit behind, and will have big stuff for you this week, in addition to the minor paltry props, i have offered to produce, (money bags, waves, jewellery).

I did have the honor to sit in for a bit of rehearsal as well. It is one of our great pleasures to have cast in the building rehearsing, and be able to pop over and drop in on rehearsals to check it out!! it is so inspirational for us to see the progress and LAUGH!! The show looks amazing , and the cast is amazing and everything is just AMAZING!! Unfortunately we tend to feel a bit isolated from the production, working all day in the ateleir, and not interacting with the rest of the staff/cast, and attending a read thru brings us back into the loop. I wish you all were here with me everyday to keep the fire going inside.

Tonight is the close of Much Ado, but i am just to exhausted to go, so sorry Kit and Cast. I know you all have worked so hard, but because of costuming Comedy of Errors, i am tired. Not just tired, burned. Not just the actual building, but also the conceptual work can be draining. We seriously need to expand our staff at the workshop to prevent burnout. Which compounded with the back to school rush at home, and it is starting to take its toll. I really could use a few days off, but don' see much of a break until the 14th.

Coming this week- more pants(new harem) for George, who is on his way to choreograph in Japan for the J-pop scene (please take me with, they REALLY need some good costumes!)