Design notes

I can't believe it is Spring, 2013!  Where has the year gone?? 

  I know I started with feet on the ground in a running stance.  It was decided at church, that we would pursue the making of the Easter Play, as 2012 was so successful, 900 people came to enjoy it.   I am the Costume Director, working closely with the Production Director and Music Director.
  As I  am Education co-chair, for the Portland Chapter, American Sewing Guild, and we were reviving the Annual Spring Fling, it would be extremely busy. The Spring Fling event is held the Saturday, week before Easter, and the Play was to be Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday this year.      
  For Spring Fling, I am responsible for teachers, set up, securing venue, food and such,  I would be slightly busy to say the least.  Luckily, I have a co-chair on Education, she is new but, was extremely helpful, she took care of the food and keeping final track of all as they signed up for classes.  I was free to secure teachers, get their class supply lists and forward to each participant while working on PR, and it turned out great!
  Meanwhile, at church, I have the best Costume Seamstress team!  I had ask 3 ladies to come help me last year as my core team. This year, my core group is back and additional 3 ladies joined. Everyone has their expertise, sewing, ironing, designing, accessorizing and organization.
  I love being part of this "artistic venture",  God has blessed me with this talent.
How do I accomplish this honor:  I start with prayer, then by reading the script.  As I read, characters begin to appear, in my mind.  I do research in my Bible, what type fabric did they make, how were the colors applied, what was the city like, where was it located, how big, style of clothing, status, rich or poor.  What is the story line, customs, how did this affect the way clothing appeared and was worn.  Soon, each character has a basic clothing style which appears to me. 
  As each actor is chosen, I watch the play unfold as they read or sing their lines. I decide how colorful each should be, what body language do they present that I may need to work into their character's dress, do we need extra props to make their costume read more believable.  Then, the real art designing starts.
   I brainstorm with my team, presenting play, characters, number of participants and my thinking on set and character looks, what we need to look for and new designs needed. We organize ready made costumes, pulling base gowns out for each actor,  make repairs, alterations are done for fit, add color with head covering, vests, scarfs, belts.  Now, the "stars" of the play are designed.  With this play, titled The Choice, we had the addition of an Angel, Pilot, and 2 Roman Officers.  An old Pilot gown and wrap was found.  The gown was to short, cape had to much fabric, so, lengthened gown, excess fabric trimmed out with addition of more gold trim and a spurt of gold spray over his Laurel leaves.

  I began my design for the Officers.  Love the Internet, researching I found a picture of a Roman Officer that I had seen in my mind, complete with helmet, which I copied and sent to my co-designer.  She started working up the 2 helmet designs based on this picture, her husband even helped.
  She and I did a field trip into Portland, looking for more blood for Jesus (as there was the Crucifixion scene), glitter for my angel, and to Mill End for fabric inspiration and costume trims.  We both spotted some silver, crinkle fabric at the same time, saying, "officer vest plates", then I spotted some round metal looking gold disks....trims to add, for 50 cents a pound, they were plastic, got lots.
   I used some clay, baking it, and added to the Centurion costume to read as medals.

                                        (in character, Hannah & Marcus, star Actors of the play)

  The Angel idea came slowly...Bible research refers to angels as "men dressed in white, appearing like lightening". 
This was fun, I found some Organza with silver glitter attached.  This was made into a gown to be worn over a long white linen gown.  A special "hat" was worn on his head to incorporate the shine, then glow make up to complete the "lightening" appearance as he exited the tomb.

  My Angel left sparkles as he walked, an added element.

 













Jesus was a challenge, between teaching, arrest, beating and hanging on the cross, we had a few clothing changes, and blood to clean off quickly so he could appear for the final curtain call. 

The play was well received with many positive comments shared, 1000 people came to see, cast was great, stage set beautiful and costumes were inspiring.

 

                                         Hope you enjoyed the journey of Costume design.