In the summer of 2019, I worked as a Wardrobe Technician Practicum at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. This three month program is about observing and participating in the creative production process from interpretive design concept through creative development to realization in Theatre. This program includes the analysis of all areas of the production schedule with emphasis on the importance of your role as an effective member of this collaborative process.
“Silent Light”:
I worked as a stitcher for multiple characters, a Cutter for the character Esther, and Dresser.
“Silent Light is a new Opera based on the film Stellet Licht by Carlos Reygadas.Set within a Mennonite community in northern Mexico, the opera follows a pious husband and father, Johan, who’s strongly held spiritual obligation to his marriage, family, and community is put to the test when he falls in love with another woman from his faith. Silent Light provides a glimpse of a society that is often misunderstood and simplified by people outside of the faith and lifestyle, presenting commonalities of human experience. “ – Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
I created Esters funeral dress for the end of act 2. Made of a thin gauze like fabric with a lace insert at the neckline. The dress was cut with kimono sleeves and a square insert at the neckline with soft gathers. The dress also had buttons down the top of the sleeves and buttons from the hem to the knee.
Underneath i created a white spandex dress attached to a bra for comfort and to help with the quick change into this garment from her previous soaking wet state.
Music by Paola Prestini
Libretto by Royce Vavrek
Stage Direction, Scenic and Costume Design by Thaddeus Strassberger
Lighting Design by Jason Hand
Foley and Sound Design by Sxip ShireyMusical Direction by Christopher Rountree
Design For Dance:
For two weeks a wardrobe technician had there own designer creating costumes for Alberta Ballet dancers under guidance from instructors. For us Wardrobe Technicians, we worked on creating their designs within tight time limits.
In the end we created two fully finished designs and one half finished project in the two weeks. The two ensembles i completed consisted of a body suit with built in circle skirts of tulle, binding and nude insert. There was then an over dress that was draped to create twisting and knotting of fabric strips.
“No One’s Safe”:
I worked as a stitcher for multiple characters, completing alterations.
“No One’s Safe” is a workshop performance. The audience will follow a murder mystery in the woods, but won’t find out who the murderer is. That’s part of the fun, and why we are presenting this as a workshop performance free for the public. Once you choose which character to follow, you will begin an interactive experience that takes you into the complex and intimate world of the Marshalls. You will witness the discovery of a murdered family member, and will follow a character as you wind your way through the Leighton Studios and the lives of this complex group of people.” – Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Composed by Nicole Lizée
Libretto and Stage Direction by Joel Ivany
Scenic and Costume Design by Adriana Bogaard
Lighting Design by Chantal LaBontéStage Manager – Kate Porter
Associate Stage Manager – Natasha Bean-Smith