Making Costumes out of Lemons.

Let me preface this with how much I love working for small theaters and small theater companies. There’s a larger sense that we’re all in it together (forgive the HSM reference), and that familial bond builds much quicker. I also like getting the opportunity to wear many hats – both literally and figuratively.

I've spent most of my post-collegiate life working with smaller theaters where one must wear those many hats. This past winter I performed in Holiday at Hogwarts at The Apollon Art Space. Now the Apollon is unique in that not only does it create productions, but those productions are immersive and as close to incorporating every type of art that you can handle: performance, visual, musical, culinary, etc.

I was lucky enough when I signed on to not only be an actor, but a server. I was able to interact more with the audience as my character as I delivered food and took drink orders, and I loved making connections with them.

Now….I am also credited as the costumer, because for these beautiful, wonderful small theatre companies, sometimes you’re asked (or you offer) to go a step further when chaos happens. The original costumer for the show fell through on Final Dress. The actors didn’t have complete (or for one any) costumes. Now, I am completely the type of person who will do whatever I can to make a show the best it possibly can. So, instead of staying for the final rehearsal, I drove to the fabric store and picked up supplies. After 17 hours, I had created or altered 4 Byzantine/High Christian era costumes (mostly) from scratch. I stayed all night sewing and sewing, buttons and piping, hems and sleeves, for some of my favorite costumes. Instead of spending a couple hundred dollars renting costumes, I was able to provide costumes (and relief) for just under $70.

There are so many aspects of theatre that I am passionate about. Acting tends to be first, but knowing what I can achieve with my hands in crunch time, gives me such joy and a great sense of accomplishment. This show helped to teach me where my limits are and that I can accomplish some pretty cool things in a short time frame. BUT I would much rather have at least a week….and sleep.