When the lights go out and the dancers glide across the stage, the audience is usually captivated by the grandeur movements and music. However, there is also a second, very important performance happening just a few inches from the skin. Behind the seams and designs of the Dance Theater outfits, is the Contemporary Fashion class and parent-volunteers; our very own students and community members are putting their time and effort into the production and creating an amazing show!
Miss Olah, the Contemporary Fashion Teacher long term substitute, has been costuming dance theater for 3 years now. Initially, she would just watch the stage crew, and felt an initiative to start a costume crew. She felt that it would be cool to be part of a big production, and that there is so much talent here in Hempfield that can contribute to the school. This year actually marks the Pilot Program where 4-5 students have been selected to help out and design costumes for dance theater along with parent-volunteers. They have fully designed one member, contributed with the siren outfits, and helped with sewing.
The process itself all begins with the choreographers and directors coming up with a theme. Guidelines are mostly given from the directors, and normal dress code doesn’t apply. Following this, Miss Olah takes creative liberty and comes up with costume drawings, and after some planning and approval, production begins. Everyone involved would meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 through 8:30, and students were given duties based on their specific skillsets like sewing and bedazzling. The materials used would all be obtained from the budget line of the stage crew.
One student involved, Kinsey Long, said she really enjoyed her experience and plans to do it next year. She mostly did miscellaneous tasks like helping make the opening clothes and some striped skirts, and overall she said it was really fun to work with the other students and moms. Miss Olah also brought up that one student actually wants to pursue fashion in the future, which highlights how great this opportunity could be for future experience and overall enjoyment. It is clear how this program is an excellent enrichment activity for interested students!
The contemporary fashion class at Hempfield is what allowed these students to be able to participate in such a fantastic project! This elective is offered every year at different levels, and starts by teaching students the basics of sewing and elements of fashion, later evolving into something much more independent. Students have the chance to design their own clothes and take creative liberties with their own designs, which is what has helped shape the student designers for dance theater!
Many students in dance theater have noted how great the costumes were, and how it really brought the show to life. Even noting that the show couldn’t have been as terrific without the hard work of the designers and the volunteers! Some students mentioned that problems came awry when doing costume fitting, as there were sizing issues. However, with the help of the team and designers, the situation was fixed quickly and everyone was able to dance with confidence. This not only shows how flexible the design team and dancers were, but just how hardworking and professional they can be!
Overall, the dance theater production of “Mystery and Magic” wouldn’t have been possible without the phenomenal work of some of the contemporary fashion students and volunteers who designed the outfits. They made the show come alive, along with the dancers and stage crew. The designers must have really felt a sense of pride when they saw their hard work and designs being displayed on stage- especially in such an outstanding performance! Fashion has the ability to communicate emotions and is a very unique form of expression. This type of experience for students is immensely valuable for the future, especially if they have plans on pursuing a career in fashion. With the success of this year’s dance theater show, many are hopeful that this opportunity will inspire others to join in on the project next year, and create yet another large success for Hempfield and its students!
