Planting Seeds for The Secret Garden – Costuming
Hello all! I’m Bart’s wife, Allison, and I’m taking over Bart’s Blog to share the beginnings of our costume plans for The PAC’s September ProAm musical, The Secret Garden.
For me, the best part of this whole process is visualizing how the show will look. We haven’t had auditions yet, but even so, themes and characters are starting to take shape as we listen to soundtracks, watch films and dissect the script. In my opinion, the most thrilling aspect of this musical is the score itself. It completely captures the spirit of a Victorian gothic novel, and I want the costumes to reflect that aesthetically.
The story revolves around Mary Lennox. Raised in British-Occupied India, Mary is sent to live with her surviving relatives on the English Moors upon the death of her parents. A Victorian girl would generally dress in layers to prevent her clothes from needing to be laundered daily. With this in mind, I’ll design Mary’s costumes to be easily and quickly layered over each other.
Her mother, Rose, and aunt Lily are both depicted as ghostly apparitions. The challenge is to make them look visually distinct. For example, since she was attending a military ball at the time of her death, Rose’s costume might be a light Edwardian evening gown; on the other hand, Lily, who died a decade prior and left behind her beloved garden, might be wearing a Victorian tea gown more appropriate for colder Moorish weather.
Today, the fashions of Victorian England are widely recognizable due to the abundance of period film and tv dramas. While some of these productions aim for total historical accuracy, I am taking inspiration from films such as Emma and The Importance of Being Earnest that opt for a more “elevated” historic look incorporating modern elements.
The brightest part of my summer will be reuniting with our rockstar team of seamstresses, hairstylists, and dressers and the time we’ll spend together building costumes for The Secret Garden.
Audience Survey Winners
Congratulations to KENZIE ALLEN, AMBER ARNEY, GAYLA BARNARD & JESSICA GROVES – each a lucky winner of a $20 PAC gift certificate for completing an Audience Survey last month.
PAC Spotlight – March 2023
This month, The PAC Spotlight shines on Elizabethtown High School’s Bailey Bell, who will be performing in Allegro Dance Theatre’s production of Singin’ in the Rain this month at the PAC.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
I want to be a defense lawyer.
What have you participated in at the PAC?
Seussical the Musical, Hello, Dolly!, Frozen Jr, Matilda Jr, Aladdin Jr, and multiple Christmas shows, recitals, and camps through Allegro Dance Theatre.
What have been your most rewarding PAC experiences?
The most rewarding experiences I’ve had have been the musicals I’ve participated in through Allegro Dance Theatre.
What did you learn from your PAC experiences?
For most of my Allegro performances, I have been cast as both an ensemble member and a principal character. This has made me truly appreciate the work the ensemble puts into the show, as well as how to develop a character with another actor playing the exact same role.
How have you benefited from the PAC?
I’ve learned to be more comfortable around new people because of the community the PAC provides. Being surrounded by people like that has allowed me to grow more than I ever expected.
Why is the PAC important to you?
For someone who is typically on the stage, it is really beneficial to experience how the technical aspect of theatre is also executed. Knowing the insides of how the PAC works has really made the stage feel like home. I’m completely comfortable there.
Why should the PAC be important to others?
I think making theatre accessible is necessary for society to foster young artists. The PAC allows anyone of any age to participate in theatre.
Now Showing – March 2023
March 3, 4
HCS Event: Central Hardin High School Drama Club presents “Theatre Now: 10-Minute Musicals.”
Friday, March 3, School Time Performance for school groups at 10 AM & Public Performance, 7 PM
Saturday, March 4, Public Performance, 2 PM.
Public Tickets; $7 (including fees). Tickets go on sale; Feb 6.
Under the direction of Sarah Dakin 270-734-0021.
March 10, 12, 2023
HCS Event: North Hardin High School Drama Club Production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND.
Friday, March 10, 7 PM.
Sunday, March 12, 3 PM.
Tickets: $7, fees included.
Tickets Go on Sale: January 2023.
Under the direction of Donna Thomas 270-351-3167.
March 11, 2023
Third-Party Event: Youth Theatre of Hardin County Winter Workshop (Last of three) in prep for summer production of OKLAHOMA.
Saturday, March 11, 11 AM- 3 PM.
Parent meeting at 3 PM.
POC Greg Thompson at ythc.greg@gmail.com.
March 15-18, 2023
Third-Party Event: Allegro Dance Theatre proudly presents SINGING IN THE RAIN, JR.
School Time Performances for school groups Wed, Thurs, Friday 9:30 & 11:30 AM. Seats must be reserved.
Public Performances: Friday, March 17, 7 PM,
Saturday, March 18, 2 PM.
Tickets: $7 (fees included).
Tickets go on sale: February 15.
Under the direction of Carol Zagar, 270-352-1333.
March 16, 2023
HCS Event: Hardin County Board of Education Meeting- RESCHEDULED
6 PM.
Student Recognitions.
March 21, 2023
HCS Event: West Hardin Middle School Band Festival Preview Band Concert.
Tuesday, March 21, 7 PM.
Tickets: Free.
Tickets On Sale Now:
Under the direction of Laura Hedges 270-862-3924.
March 23, 2023
HCS Event: Central Hardin High School Band Festival Preview Band Concert.
Thursday, March 23, 7 PM.
Tickets: Free.
Tickets On Sale: Now
Under the direction of Trevor Ervin 270-737-6800.
March 26, 2023
Third-Party Event: Heartland Winds Concert.
Sunday, March 26, 3 PM.
Tickets: FREE.
Tickets on sale: February 26.
Under the direction of Mike Pawul.
March 27-29, 2023
Third-Party Event: Kentucky Music Educators Association Band Adjudication Festival.
Monday, March 27, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Tuesday, March 28, 8:30 AM – 9 PM.
Wednesday, March 29, 7:30 AM – 6 PM.
Schedule available through Brian.Ellis@hardin.kyschools.usMarch 26, 2023
Coming Soon – April 2023
April 1, 2023
Third-Party Event: Aaron Harp Magic presents “GRAND ILLUSION” featuring Master Magician Lance Burton
Saturday, April 1, 7 PM.
Tickets: Adults, $15 Children, $10 (fees included).
Tickets on Sale Now.
April 18, 2023
HCS Event: Hardin County Schools Gifted & Talented Musical Theatre Intensive.
Tuesday, April 18, 7 PM.
POC Monica Oliver 270-769-8800.
April 21, 2023
PAC Season Event: Kentucky Shakespeare presents HAMLET
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark!” Depressed over his father’s death and shocked to find his mother already remarried – to his uncle! – Hamlet suspects foul play in Shakespeare’s tragic tale of revenge.
Friday, April 21, School Time Performance 9:30 AM. Public Performance 7 PM.
Tickets: $11 – 22.25.
Tickets On Sale: Now
April 23, 2023
Third-Party Event: TyeGood Productions presents FOR NIKKI’S LOVE.
Sunday April 23, 7 PM
Tickets: $35, VIP $50 (including fees),
Tickets on Sale: Now.
Under the direction of Tyrone Goodman 502- 296-2267.
April 25, 2023
HCS Event: Hardin County Schools Volunteer Appreciation Banquet
Tuesday, April 25, 6 PM.
POC John Wright 270-769-8800.
April 26, 2023
HCS Event: Central Hardin High School Prism Band Concert
Wednesday, April 26, 7 PM.
Tickets:
Tickets Available:
Under the direction of Trevor Ervin 270-737-6800.
April 28, 29, 2023
Third-Party Event: Youth Theatre of Hardin County AUDITIONS for their summer production of OKLAHOMA.
Friday, April 28, 5 PM. Saturday, April 29, 11 AM
All 6th to 12th-grade students who reside in Hardin County may audition.
POC Greg Thompson, ythc.greg@gmail.com
In Review – February 2023
On February 3, 30 students with Studio OneEleven under the direction of Katie Bennett presented a “Holiday Bash” recital before an audience of 161.
On February 6, 76 students of North Hardin High School Choirs under the direction of Cassie Lucas presented a concert before an audience of 232.
On February 11, 32 HCS students and 11 Non-HCS students participated in a Youth Theatre of Hardin County Drama workshop, the second of three in preparation for a summer production of OKLAHOMA.
On February 16, 40 students with North Hardin High School Advanced Choir under the direction of Cassie Lucas presented the musical CINDERELLA before student audiences of 1,004 HCS and 13 Non-HCS students and public audiences totaling 456.
The February 16th Hardin County Board of Education Meeting featuring student recognitions was postponed until March 16 due to inclement weather.
On February 24, 25 and 27, 30 students with John Hardin High School Choir under the direction of Phyllis Westfall presented the musical THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE before student audiences totaling 694 and public audiences totaling 207.
Total Served in FEBRUARY: 2,286 HCS Students, 24 Non-HCS Students, 48 Adults, and 1,056 Audience Members.
Total Served Year to Date: 10,777 HCS Students, 2,299 Non-HCS Students, 4,852 Adults, and 12,868 Public Audience Members.