Costume Inventions

   This semester, The King's Praise Ballet costuming department decided to do as little inventing as possible. For "Creation's Promise," we'd had the (enjoyable) challenge of dressing girls to represent plants, birds, fish, lions, and even a snake! Not only that, but 10 out of 12 classes changed costumes at some point, even the very youngest classes! For "The Promise Fulfilled," on the other hand, we have 6 1/2 classes wearing the same costume the whole time, and there are no animals, period.

    What we did not anticipate is the 15 awesome guys who volunteered to dance for us this spring as Jesus' disciples, Roman centurions, Zaccheus, Jesus, the two thieves, and more! So, the majority of this production's sewing day was spent making and altering tunics that the guys can actually dance in without tripping, along with designing capes, vests, and other cool stuff for our more manly dancers!

And this time, I came prepared with a clipboard!

As head of the "inventions," Rachael spent quality time staring at big pieces of fabric.

 

This particular collage of purple has a very important role in the spring performance, but you'll just have to come watch it to find out what that is!

 

The serger had technical difficulties early on, but LeAnn finally got it working!

 

 

Roman soldiers wouldn't be Roman soldiers without those cool leather kilts! And a (very nice) pair of leather chaps from the thrift store was only $7! Hey! How 'bout that!

 



 

Burning holes into the leather to add ornamentation...

Besides tunics and leather kilts, the other chief project was the making of six little pink skirts for our Basic 1 class.

Ms. Amy and Kaitlin got the job done!

Measuring waistbands...

... adding elastic...

... what fun!

Oh yes, and we now have two VERY long strips of black and red cloth to "billow" up and down. Again, you'll have to come to "The Promise Fulfilled" to see what they're for...!

Hmm. I'm feeling concerned and I don't know why...

It's a conspiracy!

Ready, aim.... spray paint!

After Costumes are Returned...

Three hours of sorting and taking inventory of the costumes used this semester... But it was actually fun! Now to wash them all...

Music credit: Caylea Ingram

Lions and Scrunchies and Sashes, Oh My!

A few weeks ago, several lovely ladies helped out with the sewing, gluing, and tying of costumes. When the tulle and satin settled, we were much closer to finished costumes. And we had fun along the way!

Poor Katie got assigned the thousands of tutu scrunchies. She faithfully tied strips of tulle ribbon onto hair ties for hours!

The first shot at the lion's mane was WAY too long and poofy. But it sure made for a glamorous Statue of Liberty!

Ah... that's better!

Fish pants. =)

It takes special training to run one of these... still confuses me!

Pink satin sashes for both "Creation's Promise" and Anna's wedding!

Near the end, some of the girls helped sort the costumes we'd already assembled. This is the most costumes I think we've ever had!

Seeing a costume all together makes everything worth it!







 

Ballet Organization

 Have the student handbooks, hair ribbons, newsletters, and payment coupons been helpful? Thank these girls (and a few others not pictured)! 

The Thursday before classes started, these helpers were sweet to come together and help formulate everything. Many hands make light work!

Cutting out close to 70 family's payment coupons takes time...

Putting final touches on September's newsletter. 

Just remind me to not leave my computer up and logged into Facebook when I go to buy things we run out of and leave them there alone... ;)

Thanks for your help, girls! We had a smooth, organized first week of classes thanks to you!

Something Great is in the Air

Photo Credit: Rachel Rendleman

Coming Together

There's still a lot to do, but things are coming together. Tomorrow afternoon The King's Praise Ballet shares at Prattville Health and Rehab, and that evening will be the first dress rehearsal for the actors.

Exciting things are in store. Though tough at times, I enjoy the adventure as God brings things together.

Photo Credit: Lavonne Hart

Thankful for my Dad

My family always helps a lot with each production. Mom gets to see choreography and read things first, and is one I bounce ideas off of. Jubilee is also great for discussing ideas with - she's not afraid to tell me if something looks or sounds silly. Mom and Jubilee are always willing to help set up/take down things before and after rehearsals. Elijah videotapes if he's available, and Lydia helps in whatever way she can; this time she's running the spotlight!

For "Beyond Bethlehem," my dad has really gone the extra mile. He's always helped and supported each production, from setting things up to running sound, to acting in it if I need him to, although memorization is hard for him. But for this one, he has devoted a lot of time to researching and ordering the right theatre fixtures (lights) and control equipment for me, finding the best deal and lending me the money until I can pay them off (which should be soon!). He designed and built the stands to hang the lights on, since he could get the materials cheaper than we could order them ready-made. But, that meant he had to spend many extras hours buying, building, and testing them.

On Monday, we spent 7 hours at Fountain of Grace together. He set up the stands and hung each of the 8 fixtures as I organized costumes and props. He then tested the lights, focused them, and showed me how to control them, then patiently waited while I figured out the cues. Finally, around 8:45 PM we headed home, still not having eaten supper. Yet, he never complained.

The next day, he drove with me to pick up the backdrops I'm borrowing from a friend. They were dirty from having been stored in a barn, so he helped me wash them, even as it started to rain. After treating me to lunch, he helped me set up the dividers, then programmed the light cues while I hung the curtains. Things always take longer than you'd planned, and 5 hours had passed from the time we started out until the time we got home. After a quick supper (thanks to Jubilee and Mom's preparations) and only around an hour at home, it was back to Fountain of Grace for the evening rehearsal. He ran the light board for two hours, and then helped put things away before heading home.

I truly am blessed with a wonderful father - and a wonderful family. Thank you all for helping so much! These productions could never happen without you.