With our upcoming show A Midsummer Night’s Dream opening a week from tomorrow, we wanted to give our readers a behind the scenes look into preparing for this production. Not only are the dancers hard at work rehearsing, but our costume shop is busy creating and fixing costumes.
Jennifer Carroll, our costume shop supervisor, talked with us about what it takes to prepare the costumes.
In particular, the costume pictured left is worn by the Peaseblossom Fairy. It was also used the last time Kansas City Ballet performed this ballet, which was in 2002. It took roughly 5 hours to alter the costume to fit the dancer who will be wearing it in this production.
From the audience you will notice the beauty of this Peaseblossom costume, but you may not notice the tiny details that were required to ensure the piece was in prime condition.
Part of the dress was airbrushed, where one color fades to another. Below you’ll see a few close up images of the Peaseblossom costume. The wings were hand painted, as well as some of the leaves and flowers.
Check back for more behind the scenes posts on our upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, March 15-24 at the Kauffman Center. Tickets are still available so get yours today!
