Much Ado About Nothing
Being a part of this production was very exciting. I worked under head costume designer, Rachel Healy, assisting her in the creation of masks, the painting and maintenance of all shoes, and on providing both costume and makeup notes for the production. As a member of the costume shop, I was also able to work altering or partially building pieces for the show.
Research of leather italian comedia masks to be built for dance scene.
Preliminary research of masks for Capitano Character. Though a mask like this was something we wanted to pursue, it was not completed for the production.
I also looked into different eye-hole sizes in pursuit of something that would complement the masks that the production already had in stock.
More research into different characters. Though many were not used, the pictures were very helpful in pinning down the style of the exaggerated features.
Preliminary research of masks for Capitano Character. Though a mask like this was something we wanted to pursue, it was not completed for the production.
This is the process of mask-making, shoe painting, and show notes from rehearsals of both costume and makeup.
To begin, I was assigned the task of creating a clay face to build the mask off of and to provide a reference for a wooden mold that was to be carved later on. The original plan was to pull all masks in leather.
Two molds were developed, the first resembled the female mask included in the research, the second was this 'Capitano' mask. Time constraints prevented us from creating both masks and from moving forward with the woodcarving process.
To begin, I was assigned the task of creating a clay face to build the mask off of and to provide a reference for a wooden mold that was to be carved later on. The original plan was to pull all masks in leather.
Some production images of masks, and costumes from the production.
Picture by: Joe Maza
I was tasked to help teach the actors to do their hair on their own. Here the girls show off some hairstyles. I also worked in the shop altering, and steaming pieces. Picture by Joe Maza
Picture by: Joe Maza
Production Credits
Much Ado About Nothing by Willian Shakespeare
Performed at Loyola University Chicago
Director: Sarah Gabel, Ph.D
Scenic Designer: Timothy Mann
Lighting Designer: Lee Keenan
Costume Designer:Rachel Healy
Costume Shop Manager: Austin Pettinger
Photographer: Joe Maza