Go PRC! and a book review

[labricoleuse]

First off, i have to say BIG CONGRATULATIONS to all of us here at PlayMakers for completely cleaning up on the Independent Weekly's picks for the best regional theatre of 2007. We were named in nine categories!


Special Achievement in the Humanities
When the Bulbul Stopped Singing, PRC2, Kenan Theater

Best Original Scores
Universes Poetic Theater Ensemble, PRC2
Matthew Murphy: The Little Prince, Playmakers Rep

Best Production Design
McKay Coble (set, costumes): The Little Prince, Playmakers Rep

Best Original Script/Adaptation
Universes Poetic Theater Ensemble, PRC2

Best Supporting Performances
Lou Ferguson (Soaphead Church), Kathryn Hunter Williams (Mama): The Bluest Eye, Playmakers Rep

Best Lead Performances
David Alley and David Friedlander (all roles), Stones in His Pockets, Playmakers Rep
Danika Williams (Pecola), The Bluest Eye, Playmakers Rep

Best Ensembles
The Bluest Eye, Playmakers Rep

Best Direction
John Feltch: Stones in His Pockets, Playmakers Rep
Trezana Beverley, The Bluest Eye, Playmakers Rep

Best Productions
Stones in His Pockets, Playmakers Rep
The Bluest Eye, Playmakers Rep
Universes Poetic Theater Ensemble, PRC2
Jack and Jill, Ground UP Productions, PRC2

Please note that i am only listing the PlayMakers mentions--most every category has several other listings as well from other great local theatres! (Click the article link in the opening paragraph to read them all.)

And, The Little Prince also got a nod in the News & Observer's "Year's Best in Triangle Theatre" list as well. Whoo!

But, on to the book reviews! Whenever i start on a new class, i usually do some book review posts, either of books i'm considering as primary texts for the students or of books i intend to use as supplemental references. My previous posts on books relating to this semester's topics are as follows:

Reviews of various accessories books
Reviews of various jewelry-making books
Reviews of various shoe-related books

There's a new book out that i think TONS of people who read this blog will probably want to run right out and buy, Tan Huaixiang's Costume Craftwork on a Budget. This is a particularly good supplementary reference for those who have Sylvia Moss' brilliant textbook, Costumes and Chemistry, which is invaluable for the safety information and product analyses alone, but also features tons of great information at the end following step-by-step processes for creation of high-end Vegas showgirl costumes, Broadway effects, etc. Moss' projects are generally big-budget ones (quite useful to read about but beyond the range of most regional and university theatres' budgets), whereas Tan Huaixiang's book illustrates ways of creating elaborate effects, but offers creative ways of using cheap, easily obtained materials to achieve complicated "fantastical" costume looks.

For my own use, i'm on the fence about using it as a text for my classes because it seems to be aimed toward designers who primarily work jobs where there's no crafts artisan and do their own crafts, and our program is fairly specific in its focus--top level Costume Production. There's no design track for graduate students at all, so the designer-centricity of the text isn't relevant. There's also a HUGE middle section on millinery and headdress-making that's not really my speed--i'm satisfied teaching my millinery course from Denise Dreher's From the Neck Up and Tim Dial's Beginning Millinery for the Stage. I do think it's pretty exciting for its masks and prosthetics section; there's not really a good up-to-date text on mask making specifically for theatre (Thurston James' Propbuilder's Mask Making Handbook is from the early 1990s, out of print now, and lacking in the safety precautions area.). I intend to keep it in my shop library--many of the projects are very inspiring--and if you are a designer who typically does a lot of your own craftwork, you probably want to check it out!

Comments

[anabeig.livejournal.com]

'allo!

Completely random of me to comment here, I know, but I read your entry on the beta artisans apron - very useful. I'm going to make a modified version for major sewing projects.

But I had not realized you were in NC and near Playmakers. I used to go see their plays all the time growing up (Duke fac brat). Are they still doing Beauty and the Beast at Christmas or have they gone back to the Nutcracker? I have the best memories of Ray Dooley as Godfather Drosslemeyer and someday, somehow, I'm going to get a copy of that script. If they aren't you should ask the see the Spider woman's costume. You'd like it, I think.

(ps - nice to meet you, I'm Megs aka Ana)

[labricoleuse.livejournal.com]

Not near PlayMakers, but at PlayMakers, in fact; i'm their Costume Crafts Artisan, and teach in UNC's Costume Production MFA program.

We hadn't done a Christmas show for several years (though both the Nutcracker costumes and the Beauty and the Beast costumes are in our stock); that said, we produced The Little Prince this year and there's talk of remounting it next season at the holidays.

When you make your apron, if you remember to, send me a pic! I love to see what ppl do with my patterns.

Bonnet flowers

[mirrormessage.livejournal.com]

Dear Incredible La Bricoleuse,
Could you please tell me what types of flowers or foliage would have been used to decorate cotton bonnets in 1810.
Many many thanks
Mirrormessage

Re: Bonnet flowers

[labricoleuse.livejournal.com]

I hope the answer isn't one you need immediately! My reference library is in my office at work, and i'm home for the weekend. However, i'll look into it Monday and get back to you!

Re: Bonnet flowers

[labricoleuse.livejournal.com]

Okay, i think the best resource i have (which you may want to see if you can track down a copy) is Vintage Hats and Bonnets 1770-1970: Identification and Values by Susan Langley. Paging through the section that covers 1810, there are a number of options for flowers and foliage on cotton bonnets--some fabric cockades, sprays of blossoms interspersed with feathers, ribbon flowers. Roses seem to be popular, as they are mentioned by name several times in the captions, though i also see several engravings featuring what are clearly morning glories, daffodils, and possibly buttercups. Hope this is of help to you!

Re: Bonnet flowers

[(Anonymous)]

A much belated thankyou!
Circumstances last year suddenly prevented me from getting back to you. All is well now.
I really appreciate your research for me and it was incredibly helpful.
I so admire your talent and energy!
Best
Mirrormessage