Grace Cochran Keenan: Tailor/Draper

For the show Man of La Mancha, I wanted to focus my design on how Don quixote views the world as far grander and kinder than the reality and the magic that this viewpoint can wrought. One sees this especially in the transformation of Aldonza’s idea of her own self worth and what a marvelous place the world could be if more people could approach the world as Don Quixote. Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

Photograph by Andrea Hallgren.

This dance piece was about the thread that dance had run through the choreographer’s life and how it is a tradition that she shared with her spouse and her children. I expanded this idea in that we all have parts of ourselves that connect us with those that came before us and will run through those that come after us. Photograph by Kent State University.

Above is my concept board for the piece. I loved the image of the three generations as it spoke so well to the concept of a thread that runs through the ages. The colors of autumn remind me of family and tradition so I knew I wanted to incorporate those somehow. Much of the choreography reminded me of various folk dances, especially those of the Ballet Folklorico, a general term for many Mexican folk dances. The choreographer talked about wanting to use multiple layers of skirts as well.

Rendering #1

Rendering #2

Rendering #3

I settled on a black dress with an underskirt dyed various shades of yellow, orange, and red. On the black dress we stitched lines to represent threads that were dyed to match the underskirt. Here is a photograph of the initial fitting. The sleeves were removed as well from the dresses as there was a lot of arm work in the piece. Photograph by Grace Cochran Keenan.

Photograph by Kent State University.

Photograph by Kent State University.

Photograph by Kent State University

Photograph by Kent State University.

The “History Boys.” The play The History Boys takes place at a secondary school for boys in Northern England in the 1980s. The boys are preparing to take their entrance exams to Oxford or Cambridge under the instruction of their teachers, Hector, Lintott, and Irwin. I paid special attention on how the characters saw themselves in contrast to how they really present themselves. Photograph by Grace Cochran Keenan

My character collages for this show combine both the looks that the characters are actually seen in as well as the way the characters see themselves (shown by the angled pictures).

Hector, Lintott, and Irwin. Photograph by Grace Cochran Keenan.

The “History Boys” In Irwin’s class. Photograph by Grace Cochran Keenan.

Posing for a class portrait. Photograph by Grace Cochran Keenan

Cabaret is set in the Kit Kat Klub in 1931 Berlin as the Nazi party is starting to rise to power. The look of this particular production can best be described as “heroin chic.” I stuck with a fairly tight color scheme of red with black and grey tones. As the play progress and the Nazi regime becomes more omnipresent, the colors of all the characters skew to black and red. The abuse that the Nazi party inflicts on the country of Germany is represented by the gradual dishelvement and bruising seen on the characters. Final Tableau. Picture by Kent State University

Sally Bowles - Act I

Sally Bowles - Kit Kat Klub look

Emcee - “Willkommem”

Emcee - “I Don’t Care Much”

Ernst Ludwig - Act I

Herr Schultz and Fraulein Schneider - “It Couldn’t Please Me More (A Pineapple)”

Fraulein Schneider - “What Would You Do?”

Cliff and Fritz. Photograph by Kent State University.

Sally Bowles and the Kit Kat Klub Girls. Photograph by Kent State University.

Emcee. Photograph by Kent State University.

Sally and Cliff

Herr Schultz and Fraulein Schneider during “It Couldn’t Please Me More (A Pineapple)”. Photograph by Kent State University.

Emcee during the song “I Don’t Care". Photograph by Kent State University.

Sally Bowles during the song “Perfectly Marvelous”. Photograph by Kent State University.

Sally during the song “Cabaret”. Photograph by Kent State University.

Sally, Fraulein Schneider, and Cliff during “What Would You Do?” Photograph by Kent State University.

Emcee concept board

Set in the 1930s, Wonderful Town tells the story of two sisters from Ohio who move to Greenwich Village to seek success in New York City. For this production, I sought to emphasis the almost cartoonish depicting of the characters in the Village. There is an emphasis on bold colors and cartoonish proportions. Here is Eileen and Ruth singing “Ohio.” Photograph by Kent State University.

The Villagers in “Christopher St.” Photograph by Kent State University.

Eileen during “Christopher St.” Photograph by Kent State University.

Ruth during “Christopher St.” Photograph by Kent State University.

Ruth and Robert Baker in “Conversation Piece.” Photograph by Kent State University.

Wreck and the Villagers in “Pass the Football.” Photograph by Kent State University.

Ruth and the Brazilian Cadets in “Conga.” Photograph by Kent State University.

The Hepcats in “Ballet at the Village Vortex.” Photograph by Kent State University.

A Hepcat and Valenti in “Wrong Note Rag.” Photograph by Kent State University.

Ruth and Eileen in “Wrong Note Rag.” Photograph by Kent State University.

“Thumbelina”

Washerwoman - Thumbelina’s Mother

Elsinore - Mama Toad

Hamlet - Elsinore’s Son, a Toad

Mama Duck

Ducklings and Ugly

Female Swan

Male Swan

Mr. Mole - a Mole

Mumsikins - A Mouse

Fennel - A Mouse

Verbena - A Mouse

Sparrow - A Sparrow

Goose

Hen

Herodias & Herod

Salome & Iokanaan

Young Syrian & Naaman

Tigerllinus, First Nazarene, & Second Nazarene

Mathew Harrison Brady

Henry Drummond

Bertram “Berts” Cates

Rachel Brown

E. K. Hornbeck

Mrs. Brady

Howard, Melinda, & Mrs. Krebs

Meeker & Reverend Brown