Student Blog: Cabarets and Costumes

Hello readers! I'm about a month into the semester, which means I'm settling back into a routine. My days begin with the newly added waffle machine in the dining hall, before I dash off to a full day of classes. And when those are done, I have cabaret rehearsal once or twice a week.

Instead of a musical this semester, Brandeis' Undergraduate Theater Collective is putting on a cabaret with songs inspired by true events. Four directors each selected a few songs, before performers auditioned and were cast in said songs. I was chosen to be in "38 Planes (Reprise)/Somewhere In The Middle of Nowhere" from COME FROM AWAY, as well as playing Anna of Cleves in "Get Down" from SIX: THE MUSICAL.

I took a trip down to the costume shop today to begin working on my costume for "Get Down". I love the director's vision for the number, which is to create costumes inspired by each character, but in the style of the performer. We don't have to create our own, but as an amateur costume designer and cosplayer, I jumped at the chance. I spent an enjoyable afternoon trying on black boots, testing them out to see which were comfortable enough to dance in. I ended up setting two pairs aside, a pair of black leather knee-high boots, and black ankle boots with silver spikes that practically scream Anna of Cleves. I haven't begun working on the clothes part of the costume yet, but some ideas have been tossed out (think tearaway bomber jacket, red tulle skirt, and a lot of sparkle).

I'm also currently working on a Tink inspired cosplay from PETER PAN GOES WRONG. Nancy Zamit is absolutely hilarious as the fan-favorite character, and when I heard that PETER PAN GOES WRONG was coming to Broadway, I immediately knew that I wanted to recreate her costume. I sifted through boxes of blue fabric scraps, which are now lying on the floor of my dorm room. They're in all styles and patterns, and I'm excited to begin cutting them into leaf shapes later this week. I'm planning to make a few adjustments to the costume, such as making the skirt a bit longer and adding (small) sleeves, but overall my hope is to keep it as close to the original costume as possible. Sadly, I'll still be in college when PETER PAN GOES WRONG starts previews in March, but when I return in May, Tink will most definitely be making an appearance at a show.

The cabaret is in two weeks, and I'm excited to perform again! SIX: THE MUSICAL has a special place in my heart, so while I adore COME FROM AWAY (and saw it twice on Broadway!) "Get Down" is the song I'm most looking forward to. Stay tuned for pictures!

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy (Come From Away), Joan Marcus (Six), Tristram Kenton (Peter Pan Goes Wrong)