The Berry College Theatre Company (BCTC) was knee-deep in costume design for its spring 2020 play, Tartuffe, when the campus closed due to the coronavirus and delayed the production. Student workers had to stop their stitching and go home, many being seniors who graduated in May. This left a huge challenge for those returning to campus in the fall to prepare for the mid-September filming of the play. With six fewer student workers, members of the BCTC still completed their task.
Tartuffe, one of Molière’s most famous plays, takes place in 17th-century France, an extravagant time in clothing history. Upper-class French fashions of the period had vibrant colors, bows, ribbons, lace and many accessories. Elisabeth Rasmusson ’02, the costume designer, said, “Tartuffe would be a challenge for any university costume shop because of the period costumes, and we had only a few weeks once fall session was back to adjust.”
Associate Professor of Theatre Alice Bristow said the underclassmen stepped up to the task and finished eight costumes in only four weeks. Rasmusson added, “The costume shop was amazing and rose to the challenge. I hope they all are proud of the work they accomplished on this. They made my designs come to life beautifully.”
Tartuffe will stream from Oct. 9–Oct. 11. The costumes will be on display in the Sisters Theatre lobby during this time. Tickets for Tartuffe are available for purchase through Oct. 9.
Scenic design by Logan Reagan, BCTC's resident scenic designer. Set constructed by scene shop student employees, technical direction by Logan Reagan.
Dramaturgical research by the student dramaturgical team: Mary Grace von Thron and Emily Saunders, supervised by Anna Filippo.
Story written by senior Hannah-Grace Mann
