Phantom: All The Pretty Little Things

It is “tech week” for Emmaus High School’s “Phantom of the Opera," and that means the clock is counting down.

With less than a week to go before the heavy curtains swing open, the cast and crew are gearing up to reveal what’s sure to be a production beyond anyone’s expectations. And some of the most visibly noticeable facets of the "Phantom" performance are the costumes and makeup.

During next week's “Phantom" performances, actors will don more than 250 costumes. Charged with application and maintenance of the garments, the costume crew of 10 students is essential.

Behind the scenes, sewing machines are running, sequins are hand-sewn and flowers are transformed into fancy hair decorations that adorn elaborate wigs.

Masquerade masks also have been hand-labeled for the entire cast so that all 60 cast members who need them get the right one.  The details behind this element of the production are staggering.

Parent volunteers who jokingly call themselves "Drama Mamas,"  add their expertise to the costume crew. Linda Hanna, Lori Ross, Lori Young and Elizabeth McGee are a handful of the volunteer moms who have committed their every free minute to creating and assembling costumes and accessories. Their commitment began with auditions last December.

“We measured everyone completely so that, no matter what, we had all of their measurements,” Hanna explained.  

Costuming began with a wall of plastic totes behind the stage containing costumes and props from previous EHS plays and productions. The costume crew sorted through them first to determine what could be re-used.  

“Everything’s on a budget, so anything we can use to save money is a big help," Ross said.

Ross is also known as the “Crew Nurse." As might be expected, accidents occasionally happen on set or behind the scenes, and as a professional nurse, Ross is quick to respond to any injuries that occur. Fortunately, nothing serious has happened so far this year.

For the first time, EHS theater director Jill Kuebler has chosen to rent the lead actors’ costumes from a location in upstate New York. They closely resemble those used in the Broadway version of “Phantom,” and are sure to be stunning. Several of the costumes for the 15 dancers were rented from an outside source, as well.

C.E. Roth is generously donating 18 tuxes, shoes and all accessories for the men of the cast to wear during the masquerade scene. Every little bit counts.

A production such as this is built on more than acting and singing. Costumes and makeup play critical roles in conveying the mood of each scene. In order to effectively produce a show to such a grand scale, costume changes are a necessity.

For example, Jen Pytlewski is cast as the female lead, Christine. She will endure nine costume changes throughout the show. The Phantom, Wesly Clerge, changes five times. The ensemble, which comprises more than 50 cast members, will change four times by the end of the musical. Those 200 changes alone are a Herculean task to facilitate.

Nikki Khanna, one of the lead members of the costume crew, said the quick changes between scenes are always stressful on both the changer and the actor.  

The actor is focused on his or her next cue, whereas the changer is focused on making sure the actor looks the way he or she should. Because the quick changes have to be done behind stage, it's extremely dark, crowded, and it is crucial to be quiet. This puts extra strain on the changer. Instead of it coming off as negative stress, Khanna thinks it really helps to assure that everyone is working their fastest and to their best ability.  

Along with costume changes come makeup changes as well.  “Off the top of my head, I know Madame Giry must go from her normal look to a white face for Il Muto, then back to her normal look in only a couple of minutes,” Khanna said. 

Most makeup is retouched during intermission, but lipstick is usually retouched whenever an actor has free time. The costume crew usually does the costume changes. Khanna typically handles the makeup aspect.  Although she has no professional training in cosmetology, she enjoys doing it. By using Broadway programs as models, Khanna is capable of capturing professional results.

“I always say, without costumes, makeup, lights, sounds, and the set, the cast is just reading a book," Khanna said, "The crew makes the show come to life!”