Nicole Robinson

The audience watches as the actors perform their show. The stage ablaze with lights, scenery and costumes bring the audience into the show itself.

But what happens offstage, behind the scenes?

In the costume shop, located in the basement of Brewer Hall, the actors and members of the crew put the finishing touches on costumes, props and makeup prior to the curtain going up.

The room itself is full of small bolts of colorful thread, scraps of fabric and people rushing applying facial hair and makeup and actors getting into character.

The heat from the naked light bulbs radiates around the room and the smell of hair spray and makeup is noticeable.

The production of “Little Women” opens Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in Kjer Theatre.

The production is an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel and features a cast of 19 actors.

“It highlights the first year of (the characters’) lives,” said sophomore Sarah Lanners, who plays the character of Meg March.

Prior to the curtain opening, members of the crew busy themselves with the final preparations.

Freshman Brittany Gusho said, as a member of the costume-running crew, she comes in during the day and steams and irons all of the costumes, as well as sews on any buttons that may have fallen off.

“There’s lots of costume changes,” she said, as she examined one of the hoop skirts that will be used in the show. “There’s lots of running around all over the place before the next scene.”

Associate artist in the Music and Theatre Arts Department Heidi O’Hare is the costume designer for the production.

O’Hare said there are several stages that occur before the actual costumes are designed.

The crew has to research the character analysis of the play, she said, as she worked with a sewing machine on some last minute touches.

“You research and then discuss the concept of the show,” O’Hare said.

She also said it needs to take into account all of the elements of the production, including the lighting and the sets.

As for the designs and colors of the costumes themselves, O’Hare said people need to research the historical references of each one.

Then there are the drawings of the costumes and the fabric samples and patterns they need to decide on, she said.

“Most of the (costuming for the) show is built,” O’Hare said. “For example, all the main characters’ costumes are built.”

However, there are some costumes that are pulled from stock, she said.

“Students help build all of the costumes,” O’Hare said.

Junior Jason Vogt said, as prop master, he and the other member of the props crew busy themselves, “lifting ropes, lifting curtains and moving stuff around.”

“We also make sure that everything is in the right spot for the actors,” he said, as he put the finishing touches on a miniature snowman prop that will be used in the show.

For this production, there are 105 labeled props, Vogt added.

“There are interesting skills required for this,” he said. “(There is) researching, finding the pattern, and coming up with ideas and following them. (We) create something that fits the time period and the play.”

Lanners said the show itself is, “visually appealing.”

“The props are great,” she said.

While the actors are offstage during the production, they find ways to remain in character.

Lanners said while offstage, she pays attention to what is occurring onstage.

“I pay attention to everything on stage because it affects my character, and my (stage) family,” she said.

Sophomore Josh Lang plays the character of Fred Vaughan, who has a British accent, and said he begins to get into his character when he gets into his costume.

The costume itself can be restricting, which was the style of the time, he said.

Senior Sara Olson agreed and said she gets into her character of Sallie Gardiner once she gets into costume and has her makeup and hair done.

There are corsets and hoop skirts for some of the characters, she said.

“It keeps my posture where it should be (for the show),” Olson said.

She said she concentrates on her character’s background and characteristics to get herself focused.

So while watching the production from the seats, what is occurring backstage to make the finished product is more than learning lines.

Olson said the show itself is a fun production to see.

She said, “The show helps you to focus on what is important in life.”