ORT Costuming a Team Effort

DRESS FOR SUCCESS: Theatre is a family affair and group effort, says ORT costume co-ordinator Katrina Dyer.

Otamatea Repertory Theatre’s latest production, Dirty Weekends, a comedy by Roger Hall and Philip Norman about suburban gardening, has several cast members who each have to make a series of rapid costume changes covering four seasons. That means a lot of costumes.

Katrina Dyer of Kaiwaka is the hard-working repertory member who has landed the job of holding all this together.

“I’ve been creating costumes since my children started school,” says Katrina, who has always supported their school productions in this way. 

One year, she created 27 cat costumes, including tails, ears and furry waistcoats in different breeds of cats for just one part of the show for one child’s class. Last year she helped with costuming for three productions, including the historical drama, Alan Adair.

Katrina gives credit to a whole team of people assisting with finding, making or altering costumes. Talented Wearable Arts artist, Penny Goodall, is designing and constructing the costumes for the Garden Muse. Katrina’s mother, Joan Marks, an experienced tailoress, is lending a hand with alterations, and Maura Flower has been finding just the right outfit from among the repertory society’s extensive wardrobe. 

Katrina has co-ordinated the team’s effort and also has been busy making a human-sized snail shell and a seasonal array of head-pieces for the Muse.

The entire Dyer household gets involved in productions. Husband Jeff designs and builds sets and takes acting roles, while children Sasha, Brittany and Haydn will do anything from stage performance to front of house. 

Dirty Weekends opens on March 15 for a six show season. Tickets are now available at Tony’s Lotto Shop in Maungaturoto and online at www.ort.org.nz.