Can I “CHER” Something With You?
Well in my super fun and uber exciting theater life I had the AMAZING opportunity to work backstage on wardrobe crew for the CHER concert earlier this month. Just thought I would “CHER” with you a few fun “Behind the scenes” photos. I did some sewing on some of the costumes and this was the fun box of threads I used. Notice the name “CHER” written on many of the spools? I don’t know about you, but I suddenly have the urge to go write my name on all the thread spools in my...
Read More31 Days of Thanks: Day 28
By now you surely know that in addition to my art, I also love working backstage behind the scenes in the theater. When people ask me about my varied art and theater careers and which I enjoy more I often explain that while I have been an artist for much longer than I have been working backstage in the theater, I am truly passionate about the theater. Thankfully my art has allowed me the opportunity and flexibility to be able to pursue my theater work. However, during this contest I discovered something. As I drove home from a dinner out with friends on July 3rd, the final night of the Final Round (and yes, of course I promoted the contest while I was out at dinner… it was the only way I would allow myself to go out in the first place), I passed some neighbors shooting off fireworks in my neighborhood. I love watching fireworks, so I turned my car around, parked, walked down the street and in the black of the night went up to neighbors I had never met, introduced myself, told them about the contest and asked for their vote. The mother with her children all huddled under an umbrella to shield the falling fireworks embers graciously welcomed me to their fireworks viewing party and said how much she admired my passion, my dedication to my business and my willingness to come up to complete strangers at 10 o’clock at night to promote my art. It was then that I realized how much this contest has brought out my passion for my art. I know deep down it was always there, just not shining in the spotlight as it is today. To my fireworks neighbors, thank...
Read More31 Days of Thanks: Day 13
To my theater family near and far. Special thanks to the singers, musicians, stagehands, and production team of the Cincinnati Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier, for all of your support during the second round of The Crafts Report cover contest. Thank you for listening to my campaign speech in between your cues and scenes and for your votes. My theater family grows with every production I work. Thank you to all of my theater family, new and old!
Read More31 Days of Thanks: Day 7
I met her nearly a decade ago. She was a fellow conference attendee who happened to be a college theater professor half way across the United States. I was a recent college graduate still trying to find my way and break through the industry. We somehow got to talking and she took the time to review my resume and offer me some advice. While I have only seen her once since then at another conference a few years ago, the advice she gave me upon our first meeting still resonates in my mind on a daily basis. “If you have any intention to succeed you must be passionate about your work, persistent in your pursuit, and patient with your progress.” Thank you Claremarie Verheyen for instilling in me words to live...
Read More31 Days of Thanks: Day 5
I was very involved on the wardrobe crew for my high school’s theater department. My friend Becca, first convinced me to go to the Drama Club meetings after school and knowing my love of fabric, later convinced me to help Kathy, the costume supervisor on the annual musical and play. While at Presentation I was able to shadow a second “woman in a career field that interested me”. This time I was able to follow around a dresser with the local Theatrical Wardrobe Union on a Broadway Series touring production of BIG. Thanks again go to Ms. Hall, coordinator of the leadership program, who reached out to Amy with the Broadway Series. Amy connected me with Ginger who I was able to follow around backstage for the entire performance. At the time, becoming a dresser did not quite seem like the right fit for me, but all that changed with a phone call. A few months later, Ginger became the Business Agent for the local Wardrobe Union. I still remember walking back to my dorm room my freshman year of college and having a message on the answering machine from Ginger. She asked me if I would be interested and available to dress and work as a seamstress for the upcoming four week run of The Phantom of the Opera. No need to think about it, I was immediately on board. Since then I have worked dozens of Broadway shows, Operas, Ballets and Concerts. I have earned two union cards for wardrobe (a challenging feat with no family or friends working in the industry). It is fun to be able to incorporate my fibers background into the theatrical wardrobe world. In addition to being a seamstress for Phantom and several other productions, I have had the opportunity to paint costumes for The Lion King (one of my Top 5 favorite shows!). I cannot thank Becca, Kathy, Charlie (my high school theater Director), Amy and Ginger enough for building the foundation of what has become my love of...
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