IMATS

Let me preface this by stating that my knowledge of theatrical make-up--let alone make-up in general--is very limited. This feeling was only enhanced upon entering IMATS--one of the nation's largest make-up conventions. Thank goodness for my friend and guide, Jessi, without whom I would be hopelessly lost.

I was immediately fascinated by the stunning display of cosmetic talent in the form of fully made-up and costumed models. The following are entries for the "student competition".

(This one in the feathered cape turned out to be the winner.)

And others, such as this very tall and glamorous drag queen.

But the most fascinating projects would have to be these, in which a model would sit in a chair for hours (often in nothing more than undergarments), while the artist meticulously painted the entire body. One could watch, leave to shop different tables or attend a seminar, then return hours later to view the progression.

We visited the table of a brand called "Bloody Mary", and had the pleasure of meeting Bobbi, the line's creator. Years ago, she was offered a job working on the Titanic film. James Cameron informed her that she would need to come up with a product that would withstand the rigorous drowning scenes required for the film, and that if the make-up began to run at any point, she would be the one swimming out to fix it. Needless to say, she successfully formulated a product that was able to withstand the water, and it is now used in the military as facial camouflage for divers. Bobbi obtained permission from 20th Century Fox to re-print 100 copies of the Titanic call sheet, which she graciously signed and gave to us!

(Side note: there are some fascinating wardrobe notes here!)

I managed to bring home a small bag of products, as Jessi would not see otherwise. Now I just have to figure out what to do with them!

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We Won't Forget You, Mary Poppins!

Never in a hundred years would I ever have thought myself to fall in love with a Disney musical. And yet somewhere between the constant comments I get on the street comparing my wardrobe to that of Miss Poppins and me finally getting in to see the show, I found myself completely enthralled.

...which is why I felt completely slapped in the face when not even one week after my discovering this fabulous, long-running show, a closing notice was posted.

I thought, just for fun--and since I just so happened to have elements to her entire costume in my wardrobe--that I would seize this opportunity to attend the closing performance in costume.

I managed to obtain a partial view box seat for $32. And when they said "partial view", they truly meant it, as I could only see the farthest third of the stage. But on the bright side, I had a fabulous view into the wings of stage left where I could watch dressers placing costumes, quick-changes, and scenery shifts (which honestly, for the eleventh time seeing the show, this was equally as fascinating as the performance onstage).

By far the greatest moment in the show was "Step in Time", when Bert, after having marched proudly up the proscenium and standing upside-down, centre stage (proscenium?) belted, "over the rooftops, ONE LAST TIME!" He then proceeded to walk back down toward the stage, coincidentally in my direction. The actor saw me sitting in my very close box, in full costume, and blatantly waved in my direction from the stage! It was all very exciting.

Just as I had thought to come in costume as Mary, another lovely fellow decided to come dressed as Bert. It only takes one person requesting a picture...and before we knew it, we two strangers very quickly became quite the photographic icon of the event!

Unfortunately, the show let out at 6PM and I had obligations with the first preview of Kinky Boots, which began at 7. I saw almost everyone at the stage door before I finally had to run at 6:50. Kinky Boots started in ten minutes; it was four blocks away, which is normally do-able, except for the fact that I was blatantly dressed like Mary Poppins. I couldn’t possibly show up to a show about drag queens, designed by one of my all-time favourite costume designers (who would be in the audience!!!) dressed like Mary Poppins! I decided that I would simply have to duck into a corner once I reached the theatre just to remove the hat and gloves. There wasn’t much I could do about the coat and umbrella. 

However, as I was running from show to show, I hear someone beside me, saying “so, your show just closed”. I told him yes, clarifying that I wasn’t actually affiliated with the show. 

It turns out that this man was the sound designer for Poppins and had just left the closing party to rush over to the first preview of Kinky Boots, which he was also designing. We reached the theatre with about five minutes to spare, only to find that the line to enter stretched around the block! He said “come with me, Mary”, then pulled me around the street to the stage door. He opens the door and says to the doorman “I have Mary Poppins with me” before we both duck inside.

Normally I would be ecstatic about running into a sound designer and having him lead me through a backstage labyrinth and into the house to find my seat. But naturally, this fortuitous circumstance happened to occur on the one night I had to show up dressed as Mary Poppins. I will tell you, it is most uncomfortable to weave through stunned actors and a house of Cyndi Lauper fans obviously dressed as a character from the wrong show!

Once I reached my seat, I was finally able to remove the hat and gloves, looking a bit more like myself with just the red coat. The show was fabulous, and I did see Gregg Barnes! It was certainly a pleasant contrast from the earlier closing show. 

I think now I’ll be able to walk by the (now blank) Poppins marquis on my way to class in the morning and for once actually miss the tourists pointing from my coat to Mary’s picture saying, “she looks just like Mary Poppins!”

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Drama League Gala

Being still rather young to the business, I naturally like to get involved in any way that I can. Earlier this week, I had the privilege of volunteering at the annual Drama League gala event, this time honoring the fabulous Audra McDonald.

We received these beautiful invitations to the black-tie event held at the gorgeous Pierre hotel...

...along with a stack of pages providing details on the event and everything a volunteer would ever need to know. 

We were told to dress appropriately for this black-tie gala, and that we would likely be on our feet for around seven hours. So I made the sensible decision to wear a dress that covered my feet, with a comfortable pair of flat shoes underneath!

We were instructed to arrive promptly at 4:45 on the evening of the event and were given these very official-looking name tags.

I was then assigned to my position of helping to guide the silent auctions. 

They were offering some truly incredible prizes! It all made me feel very poor. 

Once the guests were seated for dinner and the show began, we were able to sit for a while and watch. It was a fantastic act with performers of great talent and renown, all in dedication to a very grateful Audra!

Some photos courtesy of the lovely Paul Warner for the Drama League.

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Snowpocalypse!

Well, I hesitate to use that term, as there was only a total of about six inches of accumulation, but the meteorologists seemed rather excited about it.

Nevertheless, hundreds of people gathered in Central Park the following morning to go sledding!

I was certainly thrilled about this blustery winter day, as it gave me the opportunity to wear my new Edwardian-inspired coat!

I was bored over my month-long semester break, so I resolved to use my time wisely by practicing my sewing skills; and I gained a fabulous new coat from it!

The original sketch, inspired by fashions of the 1910's:

A detailed plot of exactly how I planned to execute the garment:

And the finished product! 

I decided to leave off the caplet, as the wool was rather pricey, but perhaps I'll add it on sometime in the future. But nevertheless, I've gotten many comments on the coat so far, and there's no better feeling than to be able to answer "I made it!"  

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New York City Vintage

If there is one thing I have learned while living in the city, it is that fortuitous situations lie around every corner. In the hopes of momentarily escaping the relentless wind and sleet of the latest winter "snowpocalypse", I ducked into a small intriguing shop on 25th street. It turned out to be one of the greatest vintage clothing shops I had yet to find, known conveniently as "New York Vintage". 

All costume designers, fashion historians, vintage clothing appreciators, and even those only mildly interested in clothing must pay a visit! This place had the most incredible of garments for sale--and some so old and delicate that they were intended for rental and research only. Everything is sorted neatly by era, dating back to Victorian and Edwardian times. There was an incredible gown (display only, understandably) that had previously been owned by President Ulysses Grant's wife. 

It was fairly pricey, as vintage clothing tends to be. I settled for a gorgeous 1950's-era hat and a few small hatpins (At last!! Nobody sells hatpins anymore!). 

Given the time (hours, I hope!) and budget, I will certainly be back! Or perhaps I'll consider creating my own line of vintage fashions...modern clothing certainly lacks the class and elegance of the past. 

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New Year's Eve MADNESS

While I have been greatly enjoying my new perch in Hell's Kitchen, tonight certainly proved to be a bit of a challenge.

The crowds started gathering bright and early this morning, as crossing through Times Square was a tedious task as early as 11:30 AM. Building management kindly provided fashionable green wristbands, which we residents had to flash at the NYPD in order to prove that we (at present, unfortunately) live on this street. 

Feeling a bit of a prisoner in my own neighbourhood, I added a bit of Les Mis humour. 

After cowering inside for most of the afternoon to avoid the mobs, I resolved to at least poke outside for the last half-hour of the evening. 

46th Street was closed to traffic and reserved for pedestrians only, so I fought my way to the front of the street. I had actually managed to crawl in front of this crowd to the barricade, but this is just a nice sliver of the sea of people. 

I was still well into 46th street, not quite into Times Square, but I was very satisfied with my position, seeing as I had not bothered to spend 15 hours fighting for a better place. However, once the countdown had finished and the new year had officially begun, the square turned to madness. All barricades and NYPD direction suddenly meant nothing to elated guests, as everyone--myself included--rushed to the centre to experience the madness!

It was so crowded, I could barely turn around in place without bumping into at least five other people, but it was a rather rewarding experience. I soon found myself ignoring the blatant invasion of personal space and instead belting the lyrics to "New York, New York" along with several hundred thousand other people. 

Safe at home after the insanity, I snapped this picture of the hundreds of people still swarming 8th ave. Here's to a fabulous 2013!

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BCEFA

Or, as the lovely and adorable Katie Finneran chooses to pronounce it, "B'SEFF-UH".

I have recently been volunteering many evenings with this lovely organisation, standing in theatre lobbies with the signature red bucket, collecting donations and selling merch.

Yes, smiling and thanking people as they casually toss away 10's, 20's, 50', and even the occasional 100 to charity is difficult work, but BCEFA is very good to us in rewarding our efforts with comps to amazing events such as the GYPSY OF THE YEAR presentation and even a pre-screening of the LES MIS film!! It's all very exciting.

Collections for the fall season have just wrapped up; I look forward to resuming our efforts in the spring!

Hmm...I don't remember there being money in those buckets when we took the picture...

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