A lot of the time, we do remounts or rentals. In a new production, I’m in charge of working with the costume designers to produce the patterns based on the designers’ sketches, choosing the process in which we as a team will build the pieces, fit the performers, and attend all dress rehearsals to work through problems you don’t see till they are all on stage. That can include principle singers, chorus men, dancers, supernumeraries and actors.
As head of tailoring, I run a team of at least four tailors and stitchers, and for every season of the opera, our team is in charge of men’s costumes for five-to-seven opera shows. Each piece is made specifically to the artists’ unique measurements, much of the structure is hand-stitched and each tailor has his or her own tricks of the trade. It’s couture in truest sense of the word. Tailoring is a very specific technical side of costume and clothing construction.
What’s a day in the life of head of tailoring at the Los Angeles Opera like? Laina Babb, BFA theatre and dance ’04, has rocketed to the head of tailoring at the Los Angeles Opera after remarkable hard work and dedication - a work ethic molded in her exciting years at Chapman. In this Alumni Spotlight questionnaire, Laina tells us about her fascinating experience using her costume and design talents in the opera, including tales of working alongside Placido Domingo, the world-famous director of the Los Angeles Opera. The Perfect Stitch: Laina Babb ’04 tailors costumes for world-famous opera shows
0 kommentar(er)
