Designing Costumes for the Winter Opera:
Gluck’s Armide
March 2010
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Rachel Jahn, a senior in the Department of Theatre & Drama’s design and production program, is creating the costumes for this weekend’s production of Gluck’s rarely performed French opera Armide, to be staged at Mendelssohn Theatre March 25-28 (buy tickets online or at the League Ticket Office, 734-764-2538). In the opera, a warrior enchantress named Armide is determined to ensnare the enemy leader, Renaud, who is the only knight who has been able to resist her charms.
Rachel has been working with Armide’s director Joshua Major on the concept along with with Vince Mountain (scenic designer) and Rob Murphy (lighting designer), all faculty members at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
She describes this production as a “period-less wonder” — featuring elements that evoke a modern feel but with details that “bring the idea of the past to mind.” The costumes all contain militaristic elements to reflect the warrior theme. “With Renaud,” Jahn says, “we gave him a vest made of black denim, but added gold trim to give it a military look. So, combining those elements makes it look like the opera isn’t taking place at any particular time, yet it feels modern.” |
Given a tight budget to work with, Jahn had to get creative. Most of the costumes were created from materials in U-Prod’s own costume stock, some were borrowed, but mostly it was a “shopped” versus “built” (from scratch) production. Jahn went online and to sale sections in stores to fill in missing pieces.
While the design and concept are her own, “We have lots of very experienced people in the costume shop who help guide me. Lynn Holbrook, the costume shop manager, helped me stay within budget; the rest of the costume shop has helped me make everything look fabulous.”
Seniors in production and design are encouraged to take on U-Prod productions on their own, without major assistance from their advisors. “They want to help you succeed in a safe environment,” says Jahn, who also did the costumes for last year’s Jonesin’ and December’s Macbeth. “As an undergraduate, I’m able to leave this program with a lot more experience than I might at other universities.” For more on Armide, visit http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/um-armide-preview/
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