“A show like Peter and the Starcatcher has an incredibly specific color palette, which means that we moved a lot of projects through the dye shop for this production,” says costume craftsperson Rachel Pollock.
Rachel was painter/dyer for the individual parts of each of the many costumes worn by thirteen actors portraying over 100 characters, while her co-craftsperson, third year graduate student Erin Abbenante, made many of the hats and headdresses. Together they served as a craftwork team of two, coordinating with the main costume shop team, comprised of many more costumers (both staff and students), working as tailors, drapers, stitchers and more.
In addition to handling yards and yards of fabric, this included work with vintage lace trim, buttons and elastic for suspenders. Mermaid costumes for one show-stopping production number alone required over thirty dye jobs for everything from zippers to satin gloves.
The brocade vest for pirate chief Black Stache embellished with applique dragon motif and hand painted designs. And to the right, as worn by Mitchell Jarvis playing the dastardly dandy (photo by Jon Gardiner.)
The Ensemble struts their stuff as musical mermaids. (Photo by Curtis Brown.)
The collar for warrior chieftain Fighting Prawn, ornamented with rooster tail feathers and hand-painted cutlery. And as worn by Myles Bullock (center front) with the Ensemble. (Photo by Curtis Brown)
“When you look at the array of clothes for this show, an incredible amount of labor has gone into creating the effects the audience enjoy during the course of this fast-paced 2-hour performance. Even someone paying close attention to the biggest, showiest costumes will have little idea of the time, effort and attention to detail required,” says Rachel.
Enjoy the many colors of Peter and the Starcatcher. Onstage now through December 12.
Click here or call our Box Office 919-962-7529 for tickets.