Follow My Light
Actors Tori Beaudoin, Ari Conte, and Sydney Torres. Named after constellations, our Angels are stars in the night sky watching over specific parts of the human world. I likened them to Greek and Roman goddesses- emulated in their draped silhouettes. Their costumes began white, and over the centuries have become characterized by their jobs. I wanted to explore how years of magic affects an already intrinsically magical garment. How it fixes itself and evolves, and how colors appear organically
Our 3 Angels showing off their glowing feathered “wings”. It was a priority in the show that the Angels light up, that they give off the impression of actual glowing stars. The lights in the back and tucked in their hair gave them a diety-like “halo effect” that would not have been achieved with lights through the front of their costumes. The solution of not-so-literal wings came about when the issues of space and choreography posed a challenge. Actors Tori Beaudion, Ari Conte, and Sydney Torres
Actors Tori Beaudoin and Sydney Torres. The faux leather cowls that the Angels wear serve dual purposes. Aesthetically, the armored look reminds us that while these characters are beautiful and nurturing, they are powerful ancient beings. On a practical side, they add structure to the wings while hiding and supporting the lights and the battery packs. Mirinda’s wings feature greenery and jewels meant to inspire new growth. Cappella’s wings include pearls and sea glass to fit her ocean theme.
Progress pictures of the draping of Pyxis’s bodice, with the already completed cowl.
A view of “Capella” from behind, highlighting her halo and lighted wings. Actor Ari Conte, Photo by Jenni Chapman Photography
“Peter” played by Anthony Zambito. Peter is an Angel, but if Peter were given a uniform he would never wear it. Peter “accidentally” stole these garments on one of his trips down to Earth, and has been wearing them ever since. This gives me a chance to explore what magic does to a completely non-magic garment. Peter’s clothes are full of rips and tears. His dyed sweater is woven and sewn through with beads and gold threads where the magic has attempted to fortify this now ratty layer.
A close up of Peter’s undershirt. Bleached, cut, and in places disintegrated with TSP, it maintains traces of its original striped pattern. Like the red sweater, it is a non-magic garment being “fixed” and affected by magic as Peter wears it. Actor Anthony Zambito, Photo by Jenni Chapman Photography
“James” is played by Zach Holden. A challenge this character brought with him was the 20 year age difference between Act I and Act II. I achieved this look by adding a hair and makeup shift to his intermission; styled hair and fake stubble completed the costume change. This character actually ends up turning into Captain Hook- but the audience doesn’t know that until the end of the show. I needed his costume to work both before and after this realization but not give it away early.
Actors Jesse Lynn Hart and Zach Holden play a grown up “James” and his young daughter “Gwen”. He wears a scarf that Gwen knit for him, and she wears her late mother’s clock pendant around her neck; a play into Captain Hook’s fear of ticking after she dies. Photo by Jesse Lynn Hart
Actor Jesse Lynn Hart portrays “Gwen” in her sensible turn of the century outfit. I dyed Gwen’s many-buttoned vintage coat a deep plum purple to echo her father’s burgundy coat, and her light top, dark bottoms, and sturdy boots complete the similarities to show the audience that they are a team.
Actors Jesse Lynn Hart and Jacen Ziev portray ensemble Angels in dark clothing that is bleach sprayed and beaded to resemble constellations.
An onstage shot featuring ensemble textures. Actors Anthony Zambito, Sydney Torres, Lexi Lewis, Jesse Lynn Hart, Jacen Ziev, and Daniel Klingenstein. Photo by Jenni Chapman Photography
A group picture featuring all of the Angels involved in the Evvy Awards performance. All garments were hand dyed and hand beaded by me. Photo by Brian Dratch
Close up of one of the Angels not in the previous shot. The bodice is gently bleach sprayed, and the beads and feathers are hand sewn to the garment.
Close up of the garment worn by Polly Hilton in the Evvy Awards performance, every bit hand dyed and hand beaded.
Follow My Light- Written and directed by Brian Dratch and Polly Hilton
“Follow My Light” is the outrageously clever and touching story of Peter Pan making friends with a sickly little boy named James, and what happens when Peter brings him back to Neverland to be his adventure companion. The “catch” is, the audience is actually unknowingly watching this little boy grow into Captain Hook, and wont realize it until the finale. This script had never been costumed before, and it was a unique and exciting challenge to create a cast of Angels that light up and glow, paired with a turn-of-the-century real world London.
It was for “Follow My Light” that I received the Evvy Award for Outstanding Costume Design in 2015.