While the actors in Otterbein’s Theatre Department shine on the stage, the crew is always working hard behind it.
“Gypsy,” the department’s latest endeavor, opens Thursday. This musical is about the pursuit of fame and how far a mother will go to ensure her daughter achieves it.
With 1920s vaudeville setting the scene, decisions for costumes were made with this in mind.
Lindsey Rowland, a sophomore assistant costume designer, and Rebecca White, theater professor and costume designer, worked together to create the characters’ wardrobe.
Rowland said she researches and studies the script to make sure the clothing pieces chosen are accurate to the time period and overall concept of the show.
Rowland is also the wardrobe master for the show. She and junior Assistant Wardrobe Master Rachel Heine must keep track of all of the costumes in the show.
According to Heine, when deciding on costumes they must consider look, fit and mobility. A lot of the costumes for “Gypsy” were rented from the recent Broadway production of the show.
“The costumes for this show are just really gorgeous,” Rowland said. “It explores vaudeville and burlesque, and those are among the most rich and fun garments to look at. It’s really amazing how, when an actor puts their costume on, they take that final step into their character and really get to feel that identity in a new and exciting way.”
“Gypsy” will also feature a different breed of actor: Mick, a poodle mix, and Sasha Fierce, a lamb. Student Animal Trainers Rachael Bardnell and Zach Paugh are in charge of these animals during the production. The animals have been well-received by the cast and crew.
Henie said that while Mick has been very calm and sweet, Sasha Fierce has been difficult because the trainers aren’t used to working with a lamb. “Luckily, we have plenty of food to keep them happy,” she said.
Paugh said this is his first experience in animal wrangling.
“I find some of the hardest moments on the job is finding the time to pick up the animal from the barn and making sure it has all of its necessities,” Paugh said.
He said his job is hard because a lamb can’t be trained like a dog can. It won’t go up and down a staircase, so it needs to be carried each time.
Before every appearance on stage, Paugh said he dresses the lamb in a doggie diaper to prevent accidents.
Heine said, “Having living animals in the production is an adventure because you never know what they are going to do.”
