Valerie L. Cavooris
Theatre Professional
Picnic
at Penn State University (Altoona Campus)
by William Inge
Directed by Prof. Robin Reese, M.F.A.
For Picnic, I served as the assistant to the costume designer under designer Laurencio Carlos Ruiz. My reponsibilities included, garment / jewelry selection, supervising fittings, and alterations. I did a great deal of research for both garments and hair and make-up. I limited my research to 1952 in order to meet the director's vision of pure Realism; I found much of my information from magazines of 1952. I distressed garments, especially Hal's t-shirt and the women's shoes. Finally I led a make-up tutorial, helped actors with their hair before shows, and acted as a dresser during performances.
The approach to Picnic at Penn State Altoona was one of stark Realism. From the set to the costumes to the acting style, everything is as it would have been in Kansas on Labor Day, 1952. The costumes are kept to a fairly muted color palette, with the exception of Madge's extravagant party dress, which is meant to make her stand-out from the rest (more so than usual).
The costumes for this production won a certificate of merit from Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Madge Owens (Breanna Deutsch) is taken by handsome stranger Hal Carter (Anthony Mongeluzzo) when he defends her from the flirtations of paperboy Bomber Gutzel (Joseph Britton).
Madge teases her tom-boyish sister Millie Owens (Laura Oswald) while their mother Flo (Natalie Entenberg) alters Madge's extravagant party dress.
Madge says good-bye to her mother and Mrs. Potts when she leaves to find Hal in Tulsa.
Madge Owens (Breanna Deutsch) is taken by handsome stranger Hal Carter (Anthony Mongeluzzo) when he defends her from the flirtations of paperboy Bomber Gutzel (Joseph Britton).
Photos courtesy of Penn State Altoona Arcives
Photography by Gary Baranic