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Show 8 Signpost-Tuesday, May 1, 1984 ehind fhe Scenes IV As You Like It PhotoGrove Pashley Camelot As the cast of WSC's production of" As You Like It" entered their final week of rehearsals, a smaller, less known cast was putting the finishing touches on a parallel production begun some three months earlier. Back in their obscure corner of the Val Browning Center, the design staff of WSC's costume shop have been "creating" the characters brought to life this week by their thespian counterparts. Assistant professor, J. A. Hanson, has been WSC's costume designer for the past three years. Although she teaches introductory courses in costume, makeup and design history, her first love is most obviously in costume design and construction. "It's fun to create characters ... to watch them come to life," she said. Her enthusiasm is shared by the members of her staff, as well as those of her students who share a common zeal for the art of costume-making. Costume making, asserts Hanson, is really "an educational experience." She believes almost anyone can learn to construct the historical clothing used in period productions. Her spring quarter crafts class has been making felt top hats, and medieval boots and shoes. Past productions have seen other such obsoletisms brought back to life. Crinolines and corsets were built for "The King and I." Anyone heard of a capeta? Fifteen of these long robes as well as an equal number of bottle hats were constructed for "Fiddler on the Roof." Would you believe armor? Breatheable replicas were constructed for "Camelot." Next year promises even greater variety. Cavalier, 1880's and animal productions are all in the planning stages. The Costume Shop is made possible through funds received from the college, from the students and through a portion of the ticket sales. "It's never enough," said Hanson, "but I've learned how to finagle and finesse and make do." The Costume Shop i -IT The King and I Casting for "As You Like It" began before "Fiddler on the Roof" had finished its final performance. Hanson and her staff have been preparing for the Shakespearean production almost as long. Before a costume can be designed, a thorough reading, then rereading of the play must be done. Hanson said, "I must decide what a character looks like." She then meets with the director and the scene designer. All have a say in how the costume will be designed. The director interprets, giving the designer input as to what he believes they should look like. Hanson must compare notes with the scene designer as well for each must compliment the other. Colors must be coordinated so as to enhance, rather than detract from the performance. Costume renderings are then sketched for each character, detailing fabric type, color and line. Once renderings are completed, the fabric is purchased and actual construction begins. In the six weeks it normally takes to complete costume construction, Hanson said, "You become a family." Although this is her favorite phase of production, it is long and difficult work. She and members of her staff regularly put in twelve hour days, beginning at 9 in the morning, not quitting until 9 or 10 at night. Many Saturdays are spent at the shop as well for there strict deadlines to be met.' The most traumatic for Hanson is not being able to finish construction before the first dress rehearsal. It can, . she believes, upset the whole production for the cast will not have time to learn to move correctly in their1 costumes, crucial in period costumes. In "As You Like It" the cast must know how to move with the long, hooped sleeves. Actors must be taught to move around in long, heavy robes. To avoid missing "first dress", Hanson begins a daily countdown in the final weeks of production. "6 weeks till walk on stage no more time off, o.k." is a powerful reminder that staff members must get going. As the "finished" rack begins filling, Hanson and her staff breathe easier. After the "first dress" panic subsides, they watch their creations slowly come to life. "I hate to use this phrase, but this is a 'magic time' for me, " said Hanson. Costumes finish a character, she believes, adding that only 10 percent of the audience's attention is focused on the actor's head and mouth movements. Ultimately, it is the costume which "sells" a character. The right costume, Hanson believes, is an extension of the actor, aiding him in mood and plot development. All in all, thirteen pairs of boots and shoes were made for "As You Like It." Thirty costumes, including hats, sleeves, hoods, pouches and gloves were completed for the now running production. Yet, this was nothing compared to the "Camelot" production for which over 250 articles of clothing were constructed. Even as she entered the finishing stages of "As You Like It", Hanson had begun mental preparations for upcoming productions. "This is my gestation stage," she said, adding that different productions frequently overlap each other. As you enjoy WSC's production of "As You Like It," think of the months of hard work and preparation behind it. |