The Theatre Threads Costume Show was not a typical runway show. The show was full of laughs, surprises, crowd interaction, and, of course, beautifully crafted costumes ranging from the Victorian era to the 1960s.
The event was held on October 15 at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Performing Arts Center. The show featured 20 different costumes from a large range of 30 years of plays and the proceeds will benefit the Denver Center's Arts in Education programs. These programs allow students to experience live theatre for the first time in their lives.
The costumes ranged from the Taming of the Shrew to Love, Janis. In just one season, there will be 300 to 450 different costumes gracing Denver stages. Since the opening of the Denver Center Theatre Company in 1979, there have been an estimated 10,000 to 11,000 costumes created in house. The large number of stunning costumes are created by a group of talented and passionate people.
"We have one of the best costume shops in the United States because of the quality and experience of our staff. They do it for the love of the theatre more than money. They could make far more in the TV, film, or entertainment industries," says Kent Thompson, artistic director for the Denver Center Theatre Company.
The detailed work on the costumes was phenomenal; even a guest in the back of the ballroom could see the workmanship. A gown from The Voysey Inheritance, a play that was shown in Denver in 2009-10, looked as authentic as if it came out of an England museum.
The costumes and models were stunning, and the MC (Broncos great Reggie Rivers) and the music made the show a hit. The models were members of the Denver Center Alliance, and brought the costumes alive.
While modeling Janis Joplin's costume from Love, Janis, the model walked down the runway lip-singing Joplin's famous song "Mercedes Benz." She embodied Janis's movement and character, and she was loving every minute of it. For the finale, she was carrying a bottle of 'syrup.'
Music can either make or break a show. There can be music that sounds like it was made for an event and there is music that can ruin a show. The music for the Theatre Threads show was a huge asset.
Imagine two models, one dressed in a 18th century gown with a large wig, and the other wearing a classic two piece suit from the play Amadeus, gracefully walking down the runway. Then, the 1980's one hit wonder "Amadeus," by Falco, comes on and the models start dancing.
The costume show was a huge success. Not only because the audience was enjoying every minute of the entertainment and the costumes were beautiful but because it was for a great cause. Maybe one of the students from the educational programs will be in the costume department and stun us with their passion for the theatre.