THE CURRENT Your weekly dose of arts and entertainment • Thursday, October 31, 2013
Sketchbook to Stage
Sammy Caiola/The Current and Brian Lee/Daily Senior Staffer
A stitch of advice from NU’s finest costume designers BY SAMMY CAIOLA Turning one man into three women is tricky math, but Melanie Vitaterna greets the challenge needle in hand. The Communication junior is currently costume designing for “The 39 Steps,” an Arts Alliance production in which one male actor plays a German spy, a British ingenue and a Scottish wife throughout the course of the show. Vitaterna is responsible, through the cunning use of wigs and petticoats, for making these characters unrecognizable from one another (but just barely). Vitaterna is one of a small group of Northwestern students in the business of playing dress-up on a regular basis. As a costume designer, Vitaterna must
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devise and execute costumes for entire ensembles of student productions, collecting or creating clothing that is “of a different aesthetic, as if people with different personalities chose their own wardrobes,” she said. Her costumes will appear onstage in McCormick Auditorium this weekend. “Know the cast before you design, know the actors,” Vitaterna said. “I really want to be inspired by the character in the script but also the actor who’s going to embody that character. I want to find something that’s going to look really beautiful on his or her body.” Costume designing for stage is a long process, one that starts with pencil and
paper and a lot of brainpower. Weinberg freshman designer Beatrice Hagney, who is currently working on the Purple Crayon Players’ production of “With Two Wings,” said she begins by sitting with the script for a few days before drawing up preliminary designs to show the directors. Once the sketches are approved in a production meeting, the designer can move on to secondary or final drafts. Hagney, a political science major and STITCH magazine stylist, said the key to designing is seeing it through the right lens, taking into account period, setting and audience. “‘With Two Wings’ is a kid show, so we
wanted to create a lot of whimsical elements that would be really appealing to our younger audience, that kids would want to look at and touch, but also set it outside our world, which is what the script adhered to,” Hagney said. After approval from the rest of the production team, the designers go on to “pulling” for costumes or collecting the pieces and materials needed for the finished product, be it from the Theatre and Interpretation Center storage room or a local thrift shop. Lost Eras, a costume store hiding just off » See COSTUMES, page 2
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Costumes From page 1
the Howard El stop, is a treasure chest of antiques and oddities with a longstanding commitment to NU theater. For more than 20 years, store staff like Charlotte Watson have been helping NU students, theatrical or otherwise, dig up pieces for shows. Fashion classes sometimes come through the shop to look at period garments and other oddities, such as fully dressed taxidermy squirrels and Amazonian blow-dart guns, Watson said. “We work with theater productions, people in the drama department, the fraternities and sororities if they’re doing a special event or if they need costumes for a haunted house or a fundraiser,” she said. “They’re fantastic. ... They’re very professional.” From Costume Design 1 to Advanced Studies in
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Thursday, October 31, 2013
Odds & Ends Costume Design, theater majors and other interested students can use the School of Communication as a starting point for design careers. Communication Prof. Linda Roethke teaches costume design and said in an email that she and other faculty recently wrote a costume design module, which she hopes to implement next quarter. “My students have either interned or assisted me on professional productions when appropriate,” Roethke said. “Assisting for a TIC Mainstage Production is an excellent opportunity prior to assisting on a professional production in Chicago.” As it stands, undergraduate costume designers, especially those like Vitaterna and Hagney who are not theater majors, stick to Northwestern Student Theatre Coalition (STUCO) shows. Vitaterner, a performance studies major who has worked on three student productions, said it is hard to get into the
current costume courses and even harder to find a workspace without regular access to TIC. As an underclassman, she could be found making costumes in her dorm’s common room, but now she keeps a workspace in an off-campus apartment. Taking much of her inspiration from Pinterest, Vitaterna enjoys perfection and detail in her costumes, which makes shows like ‘The 39 Steps” — which require many outfits and frequent quick changes — a bit of a challenge. “I really like details in costumes,” Vitaterna said. “I like making sure the buttons on a shirt are the right color and the belt is in the right place.” Sometimes, a particularly wacky show can require costume designers to be extra inventive. Communication sophomore Veronica Johnson, a theater major who has a work study job in the TIC costume shop, had the challenge of making a “flat suit” last year with
“The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley,” a show that was directed by faculty but designed by students. “I literally had to make the character look flat, so I got some doormats and covered them in fabric and put hinges on them,” Johnson said. “I painted the back black and put these Velcro straps on his arms. … It was really stressful to deal with, but it looked really awesome on stage.” Most recently, Johnson designed her own version of Daenerys Targaryen, the dragon queen on “Game of Thrones,” which she will sport for Halloween. Surprisingly, she was the only one of three designers interviewed to actually make a Halloween costume this year. Blake Bakkila contributed reporting. samanthacaiola2014@u.northwestern.edu
Jesse JP Johnson
THE CURRENT: What made you want to be a part of “Wicked,” and how do you feel now to be part of such a great phenomenon? JESSE JP JOHNSON: The show in general, the energy, what it’s about was appealing. Definitely when I came to New York, I knew I wanted to be in “Wicked.” ... I feel very lucky to have gotten into this show and this family of “Wicked.” THE CURRENT: What do you think has made “Wicked” so successful? What is special about it in comparison to other musicals? JJ: The sets, costumes, the music, everything about the show is very grand and very huge. … I think that’s
what’s made it last for so long, because not only is it musically great and the story is amazing, but the visual aspect of it is so grand and that’s what separates it from everything else. THE CURRENT: What about the role of Boq? What is special about playing this role, what are some challenges and what are some of the fun things involved? JJ: It’s special because it’s a role that I wanted to play forever. … (A challenge is) I go off stage and go back on … so when I come back I have to captivate the audience again and remind them … who my character is and keep them interested in my story. … There’s a journey from him being this innocent, kind of loving character into … not wanting to take (being pushed around) anymore. … I’m lucky that with this character who’s not on stage the whole time to have a huge arc and to have a journey. THE CURRENT: The underdog idea seems to be part of the whole “Wicked” story. Do you relate to that message? JJ: Yes, definitely. Especially as someone in musical theater growing up, I had a lot of challenges because I was different. ... My favorite part of the show is … when Elphaba comes in and everyone starts making fun of her. ...
Glinda steps in and kind of saves the day. ... Everyone at some point of their life has been an underdog and faced that challenge. THE CURRENT: What’s it like being on tour? How is it different from performing with the Broadway company? JJ: It’s great being on tour. I definitely miss the Broadway company ... because it’s Broadway. (laughs) It’s every actor’s dream to be on Broadway. ... The best part about being on a show on tour is that the magic of the show is kind of bigger because you go to towns where seeing theater is a new thing. It’s great to bring that to the audience. THE CURRENT: Is there any advice you have for aspiring actors, singers and other performers at Northwestern? JJ: For me, it’s really important that you love what you do. … If you love it and have the positive attitude not only will you have the best experience, make the best friends and have the best time on stage and give the best performance to the audience, but it will also help you to continue to work and to continue to be successful.
Source: Joan Marcus
DEFYING THE ODDS Jesse JP Johnson plays Boq in the touring production of “Wicked.” The show is currently in Chicago through Dec. 21.
sofiaradazubieta2017@u.northwestern. edu
HERE WE GO AGAIN “When I first started on television, people, and even my own manager at the time, would tell me I had to make all of these changes. But you have to stand up and say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with me or my shape or who I am, you’re the one with the problem!’ And when you can really believe that, all of a sudden other people start believing too.” — Actress Jennifer Lopez reveals to Cosmopolitan for Latinas.
“He has charm and charisma going for him, but deep down he has insecurities, which overshadow his ‘external beauty.’” — Actor Sam Claflin talks his character Finnick Odair in the upcoming film “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”
Rock n’ roll pioneer Lou Reed passed away Sunday at 71 due to liver disease, leaving behind a legacy in the world of music. Co-founder and primary songwriter for The Velvet Underground, Reed was a successful solo artist whose work and collaborations — with artists ranging from David Bowie to Nirvana to The Killers — have inspired numerous musicians over the decades. Such a prominent and inspiring musical influence will be greatly missed. Northwestern students respond to this tragedy: — Chanel Vargas
“Is ‘Top Ramen’ really the ‘top’ ramen? They all taste the same really.” — Actor Rainn Wilson shares his thoughts with the Twitter-verse.
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“The shutdown is over. Now it’s time for the government’s grand reopening! I hope they have one of those inflatable dancing wind puppets.” — Ellen DeGeneres gives her thoughts on the current state of the government.
Plugged In:
New Apple products
— Eu
It is an exciting time of year. The seasons are changing, Halloween is upon us and Apple just released a slew of new products at an event last week. Whether you are scoping out gift ideas for the quickly approaching holidays or just looking to treat yourself, there is a bunch of shiny new toys to consider. If you don’t have much cash to spare, there is the new OS X Mavericks operating system. The update is free and you get longer battery life, improved notifications, a new Finder and an updated interface. Assuming your computer is compatible, the update is available via the Mac App Store. New iPads were also revealed. The iPad mini now has a Retina display and an upgraded A7 processor, and the all-new iPad Air touts a thinner, lighter body and an upgraded A7 processor. Each iPad starts at $399 and $499 respectively, with older models available for as little as $299. The Macbook Pro line also received a sorely needed update, featuring a thinner, lighter body, up to nine hours of battery life and significantly improved graphics and processing power. Even more, the entry-level model is cheaper than ever, with prices starting at just $1299. Apple also announced the exorbitantly priced Mac Pro, a coffee maker-shaped computer that starts at $2,999 and becomes available in December. That price buys you some power, though. The Mac Pro is customizable with up to 64GB of RAM (chances are your laptop has no more than 8 GB), and an Intel Xeon E5 processor that is unlikely to stall no matter what you throw at it. Yeah, it may be expensive, but this beast of a machine is well-suited for some serious video or photo editing. Several enticing freebies are now included with the purchase of a new Mac or iOS device, including free versions of Apple’s iWork and iLife software suites. These include Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand. Previously purchased separately, this software package eliminates the need for Microsoft Office and other non-Apple products. In other words, Apple’s new products are sleeker and faster than ever before, and they come with cool free stuff. You don’t have to be a genius to realize it is a good time to buy some Apple gear. morgankinney2017@u.northwestern.edu
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THE CURRENT Editor in Chief Annie Bruce Assistant Editor Laken Howard Design Editor Jessica Fang Assistant Design Editor Rosalie Chan
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
Pincidents: Halloween snacks disappoint Last week, I checked my Twitter feed in search of a few cat GIFs and Pinterest columnist some snide comments to @ hayleyg6994 break up the horror of midterms. What I found made my heart skip multiple beats: I had a new follower. Unlike my 143 other followers, however, this follower has a small blue checkmark next to his name. Because he is famous. Because he is Aaron Carter. Yes, international pop sensation Aaron Carter follows me on Twitter and is now privy to every rude comment I make about the loud people in the library and the long wait at Howard for a Purple Line train. This Twitter interaction got me thinking, and I realized that Sir Carter was far more important in my life than I initially would have thought. In fact, his song lyrics basically served as my personal manifesto all throughout childhood. His hit song “I Want Candy” boldly states in the chorus, “I want candy.” That lyric is so insightful, so philosophical, and it really speaks to me. Because of my sugary fanaticism, I love Halloween. For this Oct. 31, however, I decided to branch out and try to find some healthy snacks to appease my less sugar-obsessed friends. Pinterest was there, as always, to lend a helping hand, and I found a list of 64 healthy treats. But I wasn’t trying to satisfy the snack cravings of a small army, so I decided on two items: edible spiders and edible brooms. The only ingredients needed are pretzels, peanut butter, raisins, crackers and string cheese. It’s all pretty standard, and taking peanut butter out of the dining hall is easy and free, especially if you have no shame like me. I decided to tackle the spiders first. Basically, raisins and pretzel rods are adhered to whole-wheat Ritz crackers with peanut butter. The two crackers are then smushed together to form an itsy bitsy spider. It was a simple process that took just a few
Hayley glatter
TECH columnist
the current
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MORGAN KINNEY
By SOFIA RADA Since its start on Broadway ten years ago, the musical “Wicked” has been an astounding hit. Actor Jesse JP Johnson has been involved in “Wicked” for about two years, first as part of the Broadway ensemble and currently as Boq in the national tour celebrating the musical’s 10-year anniversary (which fell on Oct. 30). Johnson has been doing professional musical theater since he was 10 and left home for New York at age 17. The Current spoke with Johnson about his experience with the show, which is currently in Chicago through Dec. 21.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Writers Devan Coggan Chanel Vargas Kendall Siewert Hayley Glatter Sofia Rada Sammy Caiola Blake Bakkila Alex Burnham Austin Busch Becca Ehlers
Hayley Glatter/The Current
minutes and yielded some pretty solid results. I then moved on to my broomsticks. I was doubtful going into this snack because I didn’t buy chives like the pin suggested and didn’t have scissors specifically for food. Nevertheless, I began by halving a few string cheese sticks and peeling them apart until one end resembled broom bristles. Then I skewered my mozzarella masterpiece with a pretzel rod and a broom was born. I’m not saying this is a Nimbus 2000, but it’s probably up there with a Firebolt in terms of quality and snitch-grabbing ability. Overall, there is nothing super flashy about these snacks, and if someone had given them to me while trick-or-treating, small me likely would have thrown them out. However, for people looking for a healthier way to satisfy their Halloween cravings, Pinterest is a great place to turn. hayleyglatter2016@u.northwestern.edu
Five ways to trick people into thinking you’ve got style Kendall siewert
fashion columnist @kesiewert
shape, it instantly transforms into cozy, fashionable winter wear. Already have your coat but don’t have a tie? No worries. Add a skinny belt around the smallest part of your waist for the same effect.
Fashion is hard work. It’s basically like another class — you have to research the latest trends, carefully plan your outfits, understand proportions and do it all every single day. There are a billion excuses for pajama pants and sweatshirt combinations, ranging from exhaustion to the typical comfort ploy. So here’s a breakdown of five simple ways to make people think you’re more stylish than you actually are. You (and your wardrobe) can thank me later.
Button up your shirt. Although it may seem counterintuitive, buttoning a shirt up all the way to the top will give you serious style cred. Not convinced? Google outfits with shirts buttoned up to the top, then prepare to be amazed. Bonus points if you add a short necklace tucked under the collar.
Get a winter coat with a tie at the waist. It’s hard to stay warm and look stylish when it’s bitterly cold, but it’s by no means impossible. A puffer that goes in at the waist will make you look less, well, puffy. By giving the jacket some
Wear trendy glasses. Cat-eye versions, round options and printed glasses all look on trend and fashion forward. If you have perfect vision, choose a pair just for fun with non-prescription lenses. Trade in your flats for sneakers. An outfit can instantly turn cooler when it has an unexpected twist. Swap your boots or flats for sneakers to add edge to any outfit.
There’s only one caveat — these sneakers shouldn’t be your gym shoes. Find shoes that are meant for day-to-day wear with cool details like a suede fabric or a wedge heel. Don’t forget a hat. On colder days, beanies and knitted options will keep your head and ears warm. Other options, like fedoras, floppy hats or baseball caps, can showcase your individuality and make you instantly more stylish. J.Crew has an amazing bejeweled baseball cap right now that is sure to make a statement. (Plus all students get a 15 percent discount!) kendallsiewert2017@u.northwestern.edu
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Reviews
Thursday, October 31, 2013
‘Spelling Bee’ provides interactive experience BECCA EHLERS Austin Bush THEATER COLUMNISTs
When we walked into the foyer of Louis Theatre for the final dress rehearsal of NU’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” we were immediately greeted by cast and crew members urging us to sign up to replace absent participants of the Bee. Characters introduced themselves as they wandered through the theater, doing their best to win over the audience before the competition began. We looked at posters from the “families” of contestants and signed Miss Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre’s (played by Brooke Weisman) petition on Russia’s controversial ban on LGBTQ individuals entering the country. This pre-show entertainment is vital to the “Putnam” experience, so show up about half an hour early. As the first show of the Theatre and Interpretation Center’s mainstage season, “Spelling Bee,” directed by NU alumnus Adam Goldstein (Communication ‘12), is filled with a wealth of student talent on the cast and crew. It displays a high level of professionalism mixed with college humor to appeal to a wide audience, students and community members alike. Although a musical about a spelling bee may sound fairly innocent, this is definitely a PG-13 performance — something to keep in mind before inviting any smaller theater-goers. “Spelling Bee” pulls off an immersive theater experience that actively includes audience members. Even if you’re not selected as an on-stage
contestant, don’t expect the action to limit itself to the stage. The energy level starts out insanely high, with improvisation and plenty of adult humor marking it as a standout comedy. As the show progresses, the emotional core starts to come through, at which point the energy dies down and never quite recovers. That said, “Spelling Bee” successfully combines a heart-warming story with tongue-in-cheek humor for a night you won’t want to miss. This is a cast without a single weak link. Although everyone was fantastic, Communication seniors Desiree Staples and Ryan Bernsten were the standouts as the proctors of the Bee — their ad libs and interactions with each other made the show. The decision to maintain actors in doubling roles could have gotten awkward but was pulled off cleanly and only added to the show’s quirky nature. The production is inherently engaging, as you will likely be smugly spelling out words to the person next to you the entire time. While the spelling will be revealed almost immediately, you’ll be guessing which contestant will win until the end. This show was full of surprises, with some beautifully innovative lighting and staging decisions. Overall, “Spelling Bee” will leave you thoroughly entertained and with some newly acquired vocabulary. austinbusch2017@u.northwestern.edu rebeccaehlers2017@u.northwestern.edu
Rundown
Julianne Hough celebrates Halloween with blackface costume “Dancing With the Stars” winner Julianne Hough found herself under fire this week after pictures of her dressed in a blackface Halloween costume went viral. Hough dressed as “Orange Is the New Black” character Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren for a Halloween party and, seeing as the show is about questioning gender and racial injustice, apparently missed the entire point.
The
Chris Brown checks into rehab following arrest Almost immediately after his arrest on an assault charge, which allegedly left a man’s nose broken, Chris Brown will voluntarily check into rehab in attempt to “gain focus and insight into his past and recent behavior.” Here’s hoping that insight will be along the lines of: You’re a terrible human being, and you should stop being such an obstinate, hostile scumbag. ‘Ender’s Game’ author criticized for controversial anti-gay views In light of this weekend’s release of the “Ender’s Game” movie adaptation, some activists are calling for a boycott of the film due to author Orson Scott Card’s anti-gay views. It isn’t immediately clear why Card has no problem writing young adult novels preaching tolerance and compassion for alien races but spews hatred for human beings who actually live on this planet. Ron Burgundy releases new Ben & Jerry’s flavor Following in the footsteps of past flavors like “Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yogurt” and “Stephen Colbert’s AmeriCone Dream,” Ben & Jerry’s has announced its newest pop culture ice cream: “Ron Burgundy’s Scotchy Scotch Scotch.” The new flavor ties in with the upcoming “Anchorman” sequel, starring Will Ferrell, and tastes best when surrounded by leather-bound books in an apartment smelling of rich mahogany. — Devan Coggan
Source: Justin Barbin Photography
A SPELLBINDING event Northwestern students stay in character throughout the entire “Spelling Bee” experience.
Go Bananas: a record-breaking concert event From left to right: DJ Craze, Clockwork and Dada Life performed at Saturday’s concert.
Source: Facebook
alex burnham
music columnist @afburnham
Thousands of eager electronic dance fans piled into the Aragon Ballroom on Oct. 26 to hear Dada Life and participate in a world record-setting pillow fight. Garbed in eccentric and at times sensual Halloween costumes, these spectators coagulated into a shifting blob on the elliptic floor. DJ Craze, a Nicaraguan American who plays dubstep, drum and bass, trap and hiphop, entertained the crowd for roughly an hour. Top 20 hits blasted through the speakers, and although the music lacked an element of timeliness, the crowd jammed regardless. Trap hits like “Bugatti” and “M.A.A.D. City (Eprom Remix)” induced listeners into leaving the ground while
punching the air. Once Craze had left, Clockwork (alias RL Grime) stepped onto the stage. His set included many typical electronic songs, like “Clarity,” “Animals” and the quintessential “Reload” by Sebastian Ingrosso, Tommy Trash and John Martin. These masterpieces coincided with an array of purple light moving across the room, eventually colliding with a disco ball. Clockwork exposed a deft precision at layering songs, ostensibly playing one track then dropping another. The Los Angeles native employed an extensive knowledge of electronic music to the crowd’s enjoyment. After an hour of twisting knobs and checking equalizers, Clockwork thanked the crowd and exited stage left. Olle Corneer and Stefan Engblom replaced him. The two members of Dada Life joined the event with unbridled
tenacity and enthusiasm. “Are you ready to go bananas for two f---ing hours?” Engblom asked. Fans responded in the affirmative by screaming and shaking fists. But the requirement for a Dada music set had not been met: a world record. The duo explained that everybody needed to fight for a complete minute. Piece of cake. Fans set the record and a layer of pillow innards remained on the floor. This layer grew to five inches by the end of the night, impeding movement but providing fodder to throw in the air during every drop. Yet, the drops by Dada seemed lackluster — not evocative. The crowd pulsed to “Happy Violence” and “Kick Out the Epic
MotherF---er,” but drops themselves were fast-paced explosions of noise. This is perhaps because those tracks did not rely on bass as much as festival songs do. It’s not so much what Dada Life had but more what it lacked. The duo constructing masterpiece onstage, in front of a screen with images of burgers and bananas, concluded the night with another version of “Kick Out the Epic MotherFu--er,” while a gigantic banana bounced around the audience on the Aragon floor. This left the crowd ecstatic. The next event at the Aragon will be My Bloody Valentine on Nov. 2, a concert for any shoegaze fan. afburnham@u.northwestern.edu