Behind the Scenes with the Costume Shop of “Into the Woods”

Credit: Wiliston Flickr.

The singing and acting may have stood out during this year’s Spring musical, “Into the Woods,” but there were some background players whose jobs made kept the whole show stichted together.

In fact, Williston students hand made all but two costumes worn by the cast. Ashley Tyler is the head of the costume design class and department. She outlined the remarkable job her eight-student crew did in prepping for the big show.

“We made 11 dresses, one nightgown, three vests, one cape, one prince jacket, three aprons, three bonnets, and five shawls,” Tyler said.

Claire Harrison ’19, was a part of the costume shop during the winter trimester, when preparations for the musical’s clothing began.

Claire said, “I would say the costumes for “Into the Woods” this year were the most challenging because there were so many, and they were all big pieces like dresses or jackets.”

Claire said she really enjoyed seeing the fruits of her labor on stage.

“It’s so cool to see something that you worked on be used in such a dramatic way,” she said. “Costumes are always an exciting part of a play and it’s a really interesting experience to see the beginnings of and plans for the costumes months before the show and then to see everything put together in the play.”

Cathering King ‘ 19, was part of the costume shop, and plans to continue next year, where she’ll put four years of costume shop experience, and six years of sewing, to use. She said this year’s most difficult task was the elaborate jacket worn by Harrison Winrow ’18, which she had to hand tailor.