Dancing with The Stars 2016

While I was the supervisor for Cirque du Soleil's Paramour, I had the pleasure of going to Los Angeles to help with our act on Dancing with The Stars.

I was able to pull a lot of the costumes from our stock.  (We kept extra tuxedo pants and shirts, just in case something blew out.)  Jennifer Love Costumes made us new vests.

I was able to meet with Chris Silcox and Remi Bakkar, our acrobats for the event on Thursday before we flew out.  Our fittings went well and we only had minor notes.

While I was packing the Friday night, I started thinking about that their might be commercial break promos, which is called a bumper, and what if they want a different look?  So, I also packed 2 tailcoats, 2 cummerbunds and extra shoes, along with a small sewing kit and stain remover kit.

I flew out Saturday night after our matinee.




















Sunday, I set up while there was a camera blocking rehearsal.

Monday October 3rd, after a long day of camera rehearsal and practicing in the parking lot, we presented.

Early Tuesday morning, I flew back and was in for the evening show.

This is a picture of a bunch of folks that were involved in the production.  And look, it's me on the left!

Therese Raquin

September 2015-January 2016 , I supervised "Therese Raquin" at Studio 54.  There was a pool on half the stage, which the actors were plunged into.  We had two challenges---getting the clothes dry for the second show and keeping the actors relatively warm.


To facilitate the getting the clothes clean and dry, I would start washing the chlorine our during the top of the intermission. A few pieces did need to be redyed, but for the most part, the color stayed well.

Clothing was hung over fans.  I eventually invested in a Dr. Dry

One of the other things I used was wool dryer balls.

I make mine by starting with crocheting the yarn.  Then, I crochet the crochet.  It is then tied into a knot.  The yarn is wrapped around, making it into a ball.  To finish, I use a wide eye needle and stitch thru.  The balls are then either boiled or washed in a sanitary cycle (super hot) in a panty hose to felt.

I would put the towels and bathrobes in a dryer for about 20 minutes.   The actors would come off, strip down to underwear and we would be putting the wet clothes and shoes in plastic bins and buckets, while handing off towels.   Then, we put them in bathrobes (we had multiples) and Crocs.  The dressers would head upstairs and I would start the wash.

Gold Lame' Shirt

Recently, I was commissioned to make a gold liquid lame’ shirt for Unloveable,  a Smiths tribute band.  I was sent this research. 

 

This was for their first performance (4/22/2018) 

Here is how it turned out.   Pictures by Richard Angelillo.  

Video by Dom Enico

Another picture, found on the internet.

Patent Leather Shoes

When Rose Byrne left "You Can't Take It With You", Anna Chlumsky stepped in. When a new actor starts, we try to keep as close to the original look as we can.  Occasionally, some things have to change, whether it be that the original was purchased and doesn't exist anymore, or in the case of this shoe, the matte version was on backorder.

Now, how does one paint patent leather?  Well, as I learned on Motown from my good friend (and an excellent dresser) Mikey Goodmark, nail polish. Mac or gel-ogic is the shiniest.  Laurel Parrish, another great dresser who I was lucky enough to have as a swing, happened to have the perfect blue (OPI "right off the bat") at home (which, of course, I replaced.)







Coat One

Coat Two














Final Coat

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They looked great, but wound up being a little too shiny.  So I used my acrylic matte spray and gave it  2 quick coats.

Now, they were show ready!

Cabaret

This summer, I was the associate costume designer for Cabaret for New Jersey Youth Theatre.  Most of the alterations were rather straightforward--take in pants, add some trim.  But one project stood out--Rigging this Leg Avenue costume to be able to fall off onstage for the "2 Ladies" number.

   

I started out by mapping my plans.  

 

I'm taking the zipper out from the pin down.  I will be using it, so I'm not cutting it out.

                           Zipper out.

I seam ripped in the front and I'm going to cut just above the white tie, not cutting the zipper.

No turning back now!!!

I have sewn the top to a pair of bloomers.  I cut away the elastic on the top of the bloomers.  The zipper tail that I didn't cut away is sewn down the back.  It is now a leotard!

Part 2--Rigging the skirt

 

Here, I am using satin ribbon to make a facing for the skirt.  Facing is fabric applied to a garment edge, on the inside.  This covers the raw edge.

 

Cut away elastic waistband on petticoat and tightly zigzag around crinoline at pin.

 

 

 

 

 

Cut away excess at zigzag.

 

Measure opening in back of skirt.  Mark on crinoline.  Zigzag opening on crinoline slightly larger and cut open.

 

 

 

 

Measure waist of skirt. The crinoline is much bigger. Pin tucks in and attach to grosgrain ribbon, making it the same size.

 

 

 

Sandwich petticoat in skirt, with facing as top layer, but don't pin in facing Stitch in preexisting seam on skirt btwn brown and green. Then hand stitch the facing down

 

 

                                    Realize that the petticoat needs to be shorter during pinning!

 

 

 

After fiddling with the petticoat, it is stitched in. Cut away excess.

 

 

 

 

Hand stitch down facing, making a sandwich with the petticoat.

 

All that's left is the snap in the back and rigging the bow! That pesky petticoat will need more shortening! That will be achieved by doing a fold in each layer and stitching it up.

 

 

 

Cut the apron string! Take the excess and put off to side. Stitch down end, with a little pleat to simulate a knot.

 

 

 

 

  

Stitch down the extra tie on end and stitch down the other side, so they touch.

 

Finally, tie a bow, Sew a snap and it's done!

Here is Yezenia in the costume. Our wardrobe supervisor, Maddie, is demonstrating how it will puddle on the floor when unsnapped.