Actors can’t be naked— at least at GW they shouldn't be.
I put clothes on people. This past weekend marked completion of the fourth student production I have costumed at GW, and I would like to take the time to reflect on some memorable costuming moments.
1. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
This super intense play had only four actors with 1950-style costumes.
The best moment was shopping along U Street with the cast and director and finding a super cheap red and cream strapless dress.
Still cringing about trying to be lazy by taping up the bottom of the two pairs of pants instead of hemming them with needle and thread like a normal costumer.
I learned that Macklemore was right about how awesome thrift stores are.
Favorite costume was the strapless dress, of course, with some killer red high heels.
2. The Merry Wives of Windsor
When you’re roommate asks you to be a co-costume designer for a Shakespeare play set in the late 50s/early 60s, how can you refuse?
The best moment was seeing the actors in the poofy pettiskirts that made all of the dresses and skirts floofy.
Still cringing about how many bobby pins I had to put into one actor’s hair. And getting the hair gel washed off my hands. And doing hair in general.
I learned in about 20 minutes from a YouTube video how to use purple, black and yellow eye shadows look like a black eye.
Favorite costume was the purple Macy's dress with the petticoat.
3. The Laramie Project
Solo costumed a cast of a dozen actors who played 50 different characters.
Best moment was taping on a priest’s collar made from white construction paper under the collar as fast as humanly possible. It was fun.
Still cringing about being told that a pitchfork is a costume and not a prop.
I learned how to make a pink scarf look like a hijab.
Favorite costume was the angel costume with the white feathery wings.
4. Much Ado About Nothing
Do I want to costume another Shakespeare show, but this time set in the Regency Era? Obviously.
The best moment was seeing all of the actors look so beautiful. The sparkly boobs and purple vest were also perks.
Still cringing about all of the sewing and ironing that I did on the last night of tech week.
I learned how to make poof-y sleeves for a dress.
Favorite costume was the soft pink floor length dress.
