Week Three

Finding a light blue 1940’s style dress proved to be impossible.  I faced challenges in finding items and eventual edited some of my designs.  For Estelle, I went with a light blue skirt found online and I will find a blouse to match.  I went home and pulled clothes from my own closet to fit and get approved next time I see Whitney and the cast.

On June 26, I helped man the fundraiser table for our Balloon Pop at Headquarters.  For $5 a pop or $20 for 5 pops, guests could pop a balloon to find the number inside that corresponded to a prize on the table.  There was also free pizza to the first 25 people to show up.  

This Monday, I got to visit rehearsal at Whitney’s apartment where I gave three actors haircuts, finalized what costume pieces we needed, and sat in on rehearsal.  The men needed haircuts that were 1940s and Inez needed a freshened pixie cut that was a bit more edgy.  I loved the finished looks.

We figured out the final items needed for each character.  The coats and other outerwear were cut because of stage space and budget.  Estelle has her skirt, shoes, jewelry, clutch, and lipstick.  She needs a shirt and handkerchiefs.  Inez might need a new shirt, but we have one that works for now.  She has her pants and shoes.  We opted for a vest because suit jackets swallowed the actress’s figure.  I needed to find a belt for her.  Garcin needed new shoes, but was complete.  We thought about the fedora and decided to eliminate it because it would get in the way on stage.  The valet was styled based on what he brought in.  None of his shirts or pants worked because he looked too business casual.  We needed a lower status look like Fred Mertz from I Love Lucy.  We decided skip the shirt and just have a white undershirt with suspenders.  His boots worked, but I must find khaki pants for him.

Sitting in on rehearsal was cool.  From the first read through to present, so much had happened.  Whitney knows what she wants and she’s good with playing with the subtext of the script to create unique moments using the character’s personalities and their relationship to each other.  She also worked differently with each actor, but always with equality.  She always follows through with what she wants. If an actor doesn’t get her direction the first time she’ll still work on it until she’s satisfied.