With UB’s production of “Urinetown the Musical” came the challenge of building two costumes for the female Twah-lette dancers. The design idea was a corset-type bodice with a tutu. The challenge came with the news that the two dancers would lie down on the floor during their routine, so the shop needed to find a material that would spring back into shape after being flattened.
After a brainstorming session with the costume shop managers and the designer, the idea of fabric covered foam came into being. Three layers of cartridge-pleated foam with confetti dot fabric glued onto it became a flexible tutu.
In order to make the bodice washable, the decorative toilet brushes had Velcro sewn onto the back of them for easy removal.
The Twah-lette costumes are a rather unique challenge to add to my theatre experience and I am happy to say that they turned out to be just what the designer wanted.
The original mock-up of the foam tutu.
Skirt under layer with first layer of foam tutu.
All three foam layers with tulle in-between to hide the exposed foam.
Final bodice with green glitter stripes and brushes attached with Velcro.