BalletMet
No stage production of the story of Cinderella would be complete without the iconic costumes. BalletMet costume shop manager Erin Rollins spoke to CityScene about what the audience can expect when Edwaard Liang's new production of Cinderella hits the Capitol Theatre stage this Friday.
Related: A Fairytale Come True
CityScene: About how many costumes are in this production?
Erin Rollins: About 150. In this particular case, we’re renting from the Washington Ballet, but we're also adding to our own costumes, and then building a handful. It’s a mishmash of the rental costumes and the costumes from our stock, as well as a few builds. I’m overseeing that meshing. I have a team of people working under me who are building the new costumes and altering the existing costumes.
CS: What goes into creating Cinderella's famous ball gown and making it wearable and comfortable for the dancer?
ER: A lot of it is in the fabric choice. You want fabrics and colors that flow beautifully - we use embroidered flowers, pinks and metallic silvers. It’s interesting to see how different people interpret what they think she should look like. Some people think, since it’s Cinderella, you have to go all out. But since she’s dressed by fairies, you also have people who think she should be whimsical and earthy.
CS: Through costumes, how do you show Cinderella's transformation from a house servant to an attendee at the prince's ball?
ER: Edwaard (Liang) chose not to make it look like it happened magically, more like (the dress) is provided for her. But there’s a little bit of a reveal there.
CS: Cinderella grabs the attention of everyone at the ball. How do you make the dancer stand out on stage?
ER: The ensemble behind her is one color pallete and she's another. It's a classic choice in design. Her skirt is also shorter. You have white and pale pink up against a fairly vibrant blue sea of people. The color jumps out at you.
CS: What's a favorite piece that you've designed?
ER: We’re having great fun with fairy godmother, the stepsisters and the stepmother. And, of course the prince.
