BVB Costume Parade
The Backers Volunteer Board is happy to support The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis in many ways including advocacy, education, company care and fundraising. One of their projects, the Costume Parade fashion show, is a successful fundraiser that originated in Seattle where several BVB members who were attending CAVORT (Conference About Volunteers of Regional Theatre) became acquainted with Seattle Rep's costumed volunteer program. With the very essential cooperation and assistance of The Rep's costume shop and warehouse staff who provide storage and costume choices, the Backers Volunteer Board began its own costume fashion show.
The Costume Parade showcases outstanding costumes and fashions worn in recent and past Rep productions with BVB members modeling approximately 25 costumes in a 45-minute show. Each of these shows includes commentary that gives the viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Rep productions. The narrator describes the building of a costume starting with the designer's drawing and going on to choosing fabrics, fitting the actors, cutting a pattern and sewing the final product. From a bright blue sequined dress worn in Born Yesterday to the colorful period costumes of The Importance of Being Earnest to the dramatic black, white and grey pieces used in Ten Little Indians, the costume shop works to embellish many costumes with lavish embroidery or lace. For The Rep's Imaginary Theatre Company children's productions, costumes range from the magnificent satin cloak from The Emperor's New Clothes to the lush velvet and lace of The Snow Queen. The extravagant silks, velvets and brocades used in the costumes make them a delight to model as well as view.
The Costume Parade has been held in a stately home in the Central West End, has provided entertainment at a country club anniversary gathering, and has performed for countless Red Hat and women's groups. The Backers Volunteer Board models have taken the Parade to a nursing home, and this spring, paraded at the St. Louis Women's Club. In addition, a fashion show was held in the theatre garden at an appreciation brunch for The Rep's many volunteers. Viewers have commented that it is a great opportunity to see the exquisitely detailed work of pieces at just an arm's length away while learning from the narrator about the "magic" of the theatre. This is a truly unique program that will make a luncheon, tea or party a memorable event.
Let your imagination soar and make your next gathering a show stopper! To book an event or for more information on the Costume Parade, please call Myra Crandall at (636) 537-1551, Joan Tiemann at (314) 729-1633 or email Valerie Gough at vgough@repstl.org.
