I am the Spectacle Costume Shop Manager at Columbia College Chicago. Along with a crew of students I design and build spectacle costumes for college events including new student Convocation, gallery openings, department events, Pride, and Manifest. Manifest is a college-wide urban arts festival that covers Chicago's south loop, celebrating senior and grad student work.
Here is the video of last year's Manifest, including the Spectacle Fortuna parade.
Don't miss Manifest this year - Friday, May 15th!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
'DESIGN FOR LIVING'
Design For Living opened this weekend at First Folio Theatre.
Design For Living was written by Noel Coward in 1932. Coward wrote the play intending for Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontanne, and himself to play the leading roles of Otto, Gilda, and Leo. The comedy chronicles the complicated love triangle that entangles the three characters over the course of several years. Through the years Otto and Leo become more successful with help and encouragement from Gilda. Each act of the play takes place in a different country and at a different point in each of the characters' careers.
One of the most interesting aspects of the play is the change in status that Leo, Otto, and Gilda experience. In the first act Otto is a struggling artist living in a small Parisian apartment. I chose a dull suit that appeared to be slightly too large for him, but a suit that could pass on an artist that is trying to look good and move his way up in the world. I put him in a soft cap and worn cashmere overcoat - perhaps something that he may have bought used or been given.
Leo, by contrast, enters in the first act wearing a very fine three piece wool suit. His shoes are polished and he has obviously made his way towards being a successful playwright. Act two is set in his posh London flat. His dress is more conservative in color and cut than when we see him in act one.
Otto and Leo wearing Ernest's pajamas at the end of the play
By the second act, Otto has caught up to Leo and is now painting "popular people at popular prices." He reappears wearing a beautiful navy pinstripe suit, a new cashmere coat, and a fedora. The moment he walks in Gilda can see from his clothing that he has become a successful artist.
Gilda's clothing makes this same journey. In the first act she is wearing simple pajamas and a girlish bed jacket. As Leo and Otto become more successful her clothing becomes more fashionable. In act two I made a gold ruffled robe for her to lounge in; and later she wears a Chinese inspired embroidered pajama set.
In the end, some things will never change, no matter how much time or success has passed by.
"Reason and intelligence" prompted Gilda to wear her favorite green dress with her matching earrings on the evening that Leo came back. I also chose to have her wear that same dress the night that Leo and Otto return in act three.
Ernest is a close friend of Leo, Otto, and Gilda's, and for a short time is also Gilda's husband. He is an older art dealer, and I wanted his costume to portray his slightly conservative morals and show the age difference between him and the three others. He enters in the first scene wearing a wonderful light blue seersucker suit, red bow tie, and matching corsage.
Special thanks to my assistant Kelsey Rhodes!
The run of the show is nearly sold out already, so if you're hoping to see the show get your tickets soon! Tickets can be purchased at www.firstfolio.org
Watch a video clip here! ...and a second clip here!
Reviews:
Wit, Sex Tipled in Coward Revival by Kerry Reid for The Chicago Tribune
Subtler 'Living' Still Showcases Cowards Sharp Wit by Barbara Vitello for The Daily Herald
'Design for Living' by Joe Stead for SteadstyleChicago.com
"Coward’s three act dark comedy looks fine in the early 1930’s women’s dress and hair styles..."
from 'Design for Living' written by Tom Williams for ChicagoCritic.com
Design For Living was written by Noel Coward in 1932. Coward wrote the play intending for Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontanne, and himself to play the leading roles of Otto, Gilda, and Leo. The comedy chronicles the complicated love triangle that entangles the three characters over the course of several years. Through the years Otto and Leo become more successful with help and encouragement from Gilda. Each act of the play takes place in a different country and at a different point in each of the characters' careers.
One of the most interesting aspects of the play is the change in status that Leo, Otto, and Gilda experience. In the first act Otto is a struggling artist living in a small Parisian apartment. I chose a dull suit that appeared to be slightly too large for him, but a suit that could pass on an artist that is trying to look good and move his way up in the world. I put him in a soft cap and worn cashmere overcoat - perhaps something that he may have bought used or been given.
Leo, by contrast, enters in the first act wearing a very fine three piece wool suit. His shoes are polished and he has obviously made his way towards being a successful playwright. Act two is set in his posh London flat. His dress is more conservative in color and cut than when we see him in act one.
Otto and Leo wearing Ernest's pajamas at the end of the playBy the second act, Otto has caught up to Leo and is now painting "popular people at popular prices." He reappears wearing a beautiful navy pinstripe suit, a new cashmere coat, and a fedora. The moment he walks in Gilda can see from his clothing that he has become a successful artist.
Gilda's clothing makes this same journey. In the first act she is wearing simple pajamas and a girlish bed jacket. As Leo and Otto become more successful her clothing becomes more fashionable. In act two I made a gold ruffled robe for her to lounge in; and later she wears a Chinese inspired embroidered pajama set.
In the end, some things will never change, no matter how much time or success has passed by.
"Reason and intelligence" prompted Gilda to wear her favorite green dress with her matching earrings on the evening that Leo came back. I also chose to have her wear that same dress the night that Leo and Otto return in act three.
Ernest is a close friend of Leo, Otto, and Gilda's, and for a short time is also Gilda's husband. He is an older art dealer, and I wanted his costume to portray his slightly conservative morals and show the age difference between him and the three others. He enters in the first scene wearing a wonderful light blue seersucker suit, red bow tie, and matching corsage.
Special thanks to my assistant Kelsey Rhodes!
The run of the show is nearly sold out already, so if you're hoping to see the show get your tickets soon! Tickets can be purchased at www.firstfolio.org
Watch a video clip here! ...and a second clip here!
Reviews:
Wit, Sex Tipled in Coward Revival by Kerry Reid for The Chicago Tribune
Subtler 'Living' Still Showcases Cowards Sharp Wit by Barbara Vitello for The Daily Herald
'Design for Living' by Joe Stead for SteadstyleChicago.com
"Coward’s three act dark comedy looks fine in the early 1930’s women’s dress and hair styles..."
from 'Design for Living' written by Tom Williams for ChicagoCritic.com
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