Friday, February 3, 2012 — www.theintelligencer.com Page 3 Regional Hanson brings realism to theater productions While most audiences pay attention only to the actors in theatrical productions, the Aldemaro Romero fact of the matter is that there is a con- tingent of people who work behind the College Talk scenes in order to make the performances a success. Some of these people design always look the same as they did on open- the costumes. One costume designer who ing night. “I like to say things have to is integral to the success of many per- be sewn like iron,” Hanson said. “For a formances at Southern Illinois University production say at the Rep or on Broadway Edwardsville is Laura Hanson. where things are going to run maybe for Born in Burbank, Calif., Hanson received years, there is a constant upkeep as well her bachelor’s degree in theater from St. as replacing of costumes.” There are ward- Louis University, her master’s in theater robe people whose job it is just to maintain arts also at St. Louis University and her costumes on these long-running shows, doctorate in educational theater at New she added. York University. With both of her parents Costume design is far from a lonely job. working as stage performers, her training Designers have to work not only with the in theater began early. director, but especially with the lighting “One of my favorite things to do was to designer regarding the type of light being go hang out with my mom in the dress- used or the angle of illumination. “It is also ing room and my dad would take me to the colors of the gels that can change your rehearsals of productions he directed, and costume color completely,” Hanson said. I loved it,” said Hanson. “So that is one of the things I think I enjoy Today she is an associate professor in the too about theater is the collaborative aspect department of theater and dance at SIUE that you have to work closely. You don’t – another inclination she inherited from want the scene designer to paint a door the her parents, who were both also college same color as a costume of the character teachers. Hanson seemed destined from who is going to be standing in front of that an early age for a career in theater educa- door, or for the lighting designer to throw tion. Since she learned how to sew when a gel on that is going to make the color of she was 11, she decided to specialize in your costume change.” costume design. Period pieces, where historical ambi- Otis Sweezey Costume designers can be quite meticu- ence has to be recreated, represent a Professor Hanson in her costume shop. lous in their designs, even for items that the special challenge because of the histori- audience will never see, but that an actor cal research involved in order to make design. make the pattern and figure out how of A-shape skirts and rounded hips and can feel. Take underwear, for example. costumes look real. “There was no cos- “Actors just wore their own or pretty to make the costume from the design. S-shaped corsets of the turn of the cen- “Yes, the audience can’t see it but you tume design in the time of Shakespeare. much their own clothes that they saved Really good drapers who are willing to tury to a more vertical look,” Hanson know it is there and certain periods, partic- It is actually a relatively recent discipline or had been donated to them,” said move around the country can make a liv- explained. “If you have ever seen the ularly when women had to wear corsets, it because Shakespeare’s troupe would get Hanson. ing doing that, Hanson said. movie “Titanic” those are the kinds of made you move in a certain way,” Hanson cast-off clothing from their patrons and As a teacher, Hanson is fully aware Hanson recently did the costume costumes I am talking about. They are said. “So if you are not really wearing a they would wear contemporary clothing, about the job prospects for her students design for SIUE’s performance of “The much more straight up and down, so this corset under your costume you’ll be mov- contemporary to their time, no matter who specialize in costume design. “There Importance of Being Earnest,” under is just before that (time period).” ing in a totally contemporary way that what the show was,” explained Hanson. are lots of small theaters that are looking the direction of Peter Cocuzza, chair of women in the mid 19th century couldn’t Even if they were doing “Julius Caesar” for designers, but they don’t pay a lot,” the department of theater and dance. Aldemaro Romero is the Dean of the possibly have moved because they were they might drape a little something over she said. “Now where you can really Cocuzza had decided to set the play a College of Arts and Sciences at Southern laced into a whale-bone corset.” their doublets and hose (men’s clothing make a living is as a theater technician.” little later (1910) than when Oscar Wilde Illinois University Edwardsville. His show, Another technical aspect of the costume fashionable in Shakespeare’s time). Costume technicians, called drapers, she premiered it in 1895. “Segue,” can be heard every Sunday morn- designer’s job is to make costumes that That is why up until the mid 19th cen- explained, work in the shop and take the “It was a period when there was a ing at 9 a.m. on WSIE, 88.7 FM. He can be are worn performance after performance tury there was no such thing as costume design, take the actors’ measurements, change from the fuller skirts and sort reached at [email protected].

Keyser focuses on furthering his singing career Keyser was in high school, would be thrilled by staying in good mental and physical shape. He with his grandson's singing success. IDOL is also learning keyboard skills. ACCIDENTS "My grandpa knew music. He didn't like imita- "I want America to know that if you really tions. He wasn't a fan of karaoke. If he was here Continued from Page 1 love people and yourself, pursue whatever is he would tell me, 'If you're going to do it, make Continued from Page 1 important to you. For me, singing has always sure it's good.'" been my passion," said Keyser. Keyser was the first contestant featured on John Sr. is grateful for family friend, Jamie Police report that the medical equipment Huneycutt was hauling was Not too many classmates knew he could sing. Thursday night's episode of "American Idol." Carlton, formerly of St. Louis now living in strewn across the highway. The exit ramp was closed for about 5 1/2 hours. Keyser never participated in school musicals nor A segment prior to his performance showed California, for opening up his home to them. Huneycutt was ticketed for failing to reduce her speed to avoid an acci- did he perform in front of an audience. However, him skiing on Holiday Lake. Keeping Keyser grounded is important to his dent. there is one friend from high school, Andrew His father was among his audition support parents. Cheryl Plourde, Keyser's mom, who Police also responded to I-70 near Highland, where a motorist had driven Ruiz, who is convinced Keyser has what it takes resides in Florida, frequently ships care pack- group along with his aunt, Dawn Lymberopoulos, off the road and struck an embankment. The accident happened around 9:30 to be the next American Idol. ages full of inspirational tapes and motivational and her children, who made the trip to St. Louis a.m. The driver, Juan Luis Ibarra Tinajero, 37, of Caseyville, was unconscious "Andrew sent me a text and asked if I would do books. from Maryville. when police arrived. He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland. "My parents want me to know that we all have him a favor. I replied, sure, what? He wanted me Keyser is the grandson of Bunny Poulson Police don't know why Tinajero drove off the highway. He was ticketed for a purpose for being here and that I need a firm to try out for 'Idol,'" Keyser said. LeVar, also a well-known resident of Holiday improper lane usage. foundation during these exciting, but still stress- Coincidentally, St. Louis auditions were Shores. The day before, state police responded to a fatal crash around 5:45 p.m. in ful, times," said Keyser. scheduled during his 2011 summer visit to To follow Keyser on his journey to become Chouteau Township. The crash killed Donald W. Enyart, Sr., 41, of Granite There are days, sometimes weeks, where Edwardsville. the next American Idol, tune in to Fox televi- City. Enyart was driving his 2011 ATV south on Old Alton Road, just south Keyser is working on a segment with "Idol," and Keyser's grandfather, who the marina is sion network at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and of Meadowlane Drive at the time. According to a news release, Enyart was then there are downtimes. During his downtime, named after, and who passed away while Thursday. following another ATV when both vehicles changed lanes into the north- bound lane and passed another vehicle that was southbound. After passing that vehicle, both ATVs changed lanes back to the southbound lane, and Enyart lost control, left the road, and crashed into a light pole. The vehicle overturned and Enyart and his passenger, Shelly M. Smith, 28, of Madison were ejected. Enyart was flown to Saint Louis University Hospital, where he was pro- nounced dead. Smith was taken to SLUH with minor injuries. Arts&Music Friday, Feb. 3 Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio, Jazz at the Bistro, St. Louis, 7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Schubert's Ninth Symphony, Powell Hall, St. Louis, 8:00 p.m. Ultraviolets, Fast Eddie's Bon Air, Alton, 8:00 p.m. Waka Winter Classic, The Rock House, St. Louis, Doors 8:00 p.m. Marleyfest, Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, Doors 8:00 p.m. Little Big Town, Lumiere Place, St. Louis, 7:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m. Voodoo Glow Skulls, Authority Zero, The Firebird, St. Louis, Doors 6:30 p.m. Judy Pfaff: "Recent Work", David Bruno Gallery (Main Gallery), St. Louis, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Runs through March 3. Art of Asia, Edwardsville Arts Center, Edwardsville, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Runs through Feb. 10 Christodoulos Panayiotou: One Thousand and One Days, Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis,10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Runs through April 22. Lessons of the Past...Promises for the Future, AT&T Gallery of Children's Art, The Sheldon, St. Louis, noon to 5:00 p.m., Runs through Feb. 4. Belinda Lee: Inside Out/Outside In, COCA, St. Louis, Runs through Feb. 26 David Burns Smith: The Longshot, The PSTL Gallery, St. Louis, 10:30 a.m., Runs through May 12. The Last Mass at St. Casimir's, Alton Little Theater, Alton, 7:30 p.m. On Golden Pond, Grandel Theatre, St. Louis, 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio, Jazz at the Bistro, St. Louis, 7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Schubert's Ninth Symphony, Powell Hall, St. Louis, 8:00 p.m. For the Intelligencer Hoosier Daddy's, 3:00 p.m./Ultraviolets, 8:00 p.m., Fast Eddie's Bon Air, Ken Waldman Alton The Blind Eyes/Firebird Three Year Anniversary Party, The Firebird, St. serve as emcee of the Arts & Issues show doing outreach on campus through the SIUE Louis, Doors 8:30 p.m. introducing the opening sets with a brief poem English Department and Creative Writing pro- Girlyman, The Rock House, St. Louis, Doors 7:00 p.m. ALASKA Marleyfest, Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, Doors 8:00 p.m. tied to Alaska and the music. Then, he said, gram the day before his performance. he will “let the musicians take off. One of my Tickets for “Ken Waldman and the Secret Reflections of the Buddha, Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, St. Louis, 10:00 Continued from Page 1 niches with it is I tell a lot of Alaska stories,” Visitors: From Madison County to Moose a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Runs through March 10. he said. Pass” may be purchased at the Dunham Hall Judy Pfaff: "Recent Work", David Bruno Gallery (Main Gallery), St. Louis, Long has a long-running duo project with For Waldman’s own concluding set, he’ll Fine Arts Box Office, the Information Booth at 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Runs through March 3. famed mandolinist, Mike Compton, and has be joined by various musical configurations. the Morris University Center, by calling 618- Art of Asia, Edwardsville Arts Center, Edwardsville, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., appeared at numerous music festivals across By the end, he promises a full-blown music 650-5774 or online at artsandissues.com. Runs through Feb. 10 the country. party/mini-festival, complete with Bernstein’s Tickets are $20, students are $13 and SIUE Christodoulos Panayiotou: One Thousand and One Days, Greely, a founding member of the Mamou clogging. students are admitted free. SIUE staff, retir- Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis,10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Runs Playboys, has toured with Steve Riley and It’s a show filled with poetry, banjo play- ees, alumni, and seniors over 65 are also through April 22. company for over 20 years. A fiddler, compos- ing, fiddle playing, percussive dancing, and offered discounts on tickets. Lessons of the Past...Promises for the Future, AT&T Gallery of Children's er, folklorist, and singer, Waldman described folk music that will transport the audience to In addition, tickets are still available for the Art, The Sheldon, St. Louis, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. him as “a national treasure.” the grandeur of Alaska. Waldman said that remaining shows of the 2011-12 Arts & Issues Continuing the Legacy, COCA, St. Louis, 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Hagins and Wankoff both have been you’ll like the show “if you like more than one season: Nrityagram Dance Ensemble of India David Burns Smith: The Longshot, The PSTL Gallery, St. Louis, 10:30 a.m., involved with Waldman’s touring and record- of these and if you like all of them, it will be performs “Sambhavya” on March 16 at the Runs through May 12. ing projects, and have been major contributors the show of your life. It’s almost like going Wildey Theatre; the orchestras of both SIUE The Last Mass at St. Casimir's, Alton Little Theater, Alton, 7:30 p.m. on most of Waldman’s nine CDs. to a music festival up in Alaska but you only and SIUC come together for a special perfor- On Golden Pond, Grandel Theatre, St. Louis, 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. In addition to his CDs, Waldman has pub- have to drive to Edwardsville to get there. mance on March 28; and the season ends as lished eight books, was an educator, band We’re bringing Alaska and traditional music Squonk Opera presents “Edwardsville: The Sunday, Feb. 5 leader and performer. He also has had poetry to you.” Opera” on June 6. Scott and Karl, Fast Eddie's Bon Air, Alton, 1:00 p.m. published in SIUE’s journal, Sou’wester. Waldman, who also has an MFA in creative If you have any questions, contact the Arts Art of Asia, Edwardsville Arts Center, Edwardsville, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., A 25-year Alaska resident, Waldman will writing as well as six poetry collections, will be & Issues office at 650-5194. Runs through Feb. 10