Our Creative Minds: May 2009

"Pirates!"

Some friends of mine have a son, Christopher, that was in his school's honor choir featuring "Pirates" and I supplied his costume.

It was a great little musical, the kids were wonderful and sang beautifully!

24th Annual Black Heritage Celebration "It's A New Day"

This past February, I had the pleasure of creating costumes for Merced College's 2009 Black Heritage Celebration Play, "A Long Time Commin, It's A New Day".

We just got a new camera the same morning of the play and were trying to figure out all the gizmos on it so the pictures aren't that wonderful. I will be taking new photos, sans actors, of the costumes and posting them on my new website www.mjstagecrafts.com within the next month.

Below is a picture of the entire cast.

Of all the characters, my favorite was Harriet Tubman. Since I love to make historical clothing I took great pride and joy in creating her look, from the making the costume to supplying her props. Harriet is wearing a head scarf, a light calico bodice, wool skirt and cotton twill coat and a pair of 1860's ladies boots. Her props are a haversack and rifle. Boy did she look great!

The actors below were in the scene where Harriet brings runaway slaves through the underground railroad and into the arms of freedom,a merciful Quaker gentlemen. I supplied the Quaker hat and made his coat out of black wool. I made one of the slaves outfits, a tan and blue striped oversized men's shirt and a navy cotton skirt.

Next up is Melba Patillo under armed guard. Her costume is a silhouette of the 1950's. It was made in a pretty yellow calico print.

The final scene was of the Obama's election night victory so I recreated the look of Michelle and Malia's red dresses. Of all the costumes, Michelle's dress was the one that drew the most raves. I think I did a pretty darn good job!