Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight

Wardrobe Assistant

Due to Hurricane Helene in September 2024, this production was delayed until January 2025. Because of this delay, many people of the scheduled crew could not help anymore. I was brought on as a paid wardrobe assistant to help the actors get in and out of costumes especially for their quick changes. I was involved in 16 quick changes for this production. Most were under two minutes, with the fastest being 30 seconds from a full Rococo gown down to a nightgown.

I also helped the actresses get in and out of all of their costume layers at the start and end of each run. This included lacing their corsets and helping them attach their panniers (false hips), petticoats, overskirts, and dresses.

Lacing actress Lauren Harris into her corset, pre-show.

Lacing actress Lauren Harris into her corset, pre-show.

Tying off Lauren's corset, featuring her many layers of clothing behind us.

Tying off Lauren's corset, featuring her many layers of clothing behind us.

The wigged actresses pre-show.

The wigged actresses pre-show.

Photos taken by Katie Griffin, assistant wardrobe crew for Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight.

Tattoo pre-coverup.

Tattoo pre-coverup.

Layer of orange color corrector to cancel out the blue in the ink, then powdered.

Layer of orange color corrector to cancel out the blue in the ink, then powdered.

Final result after 2 layers of foundation and setting powder.

Final result after 2 layers of foundation and setting powder.

Lauren Harris's starting costume.

Lauren Harris's starting costume.

Moments later she appears in a completely different dress.

Moments later she appears in a completely different dress.

She then has a series of rapid changes in and out of her servant costume.

She then has a series of rapid changes in and out of her servant costume.

Anabel Merriam appears as Soubrette.

Anabel Merriam appears as Soubrette.

Moments later she appears as Emilie's daughter Gabrielle.

Moments later she appears as Emilie's daughter Gabrielle.

Anabel appears in her starting costume for Act 2 as Gabrielle.

Anabel appears in her starting costume for Act 2 as Gabrielle.

Shortly after she appears as Marie Louise.

Shortly after she appears as Marie Louise.

Lauren Harris appearing as Emilie's mother.

Lauren Harris appearing as Emilie's mother.

Moments later she appears again as Madame. Anabel appears in her Soubrette costume.

Moments later she appears again as Madame. Anabel appears in her Soubrette costume.

30 seconds after she exits the stage she rushes back on in a nightgown and pregnancy belly.

30 seconds after she exits the stage she rushes back on in a nightgown and pregnancy belly.

Photos taken by Lynn Willis, courtesy of the Appalachian State University Department of Theatre and Dance.

The Design Team for this Production

  • Lauren Gunderson

    PLAYWRIGHT

  • Ray Miller

    DIRECTOR

  • Echo McArthur

    STAGE MANAGER

  • Saloni Mahajan

    COSTUME DESIGNER

  • Mike Helms

    SCENIC DESIGNER

  • John Marty

    LIGHTING DESIGNER

  • Lucy Lloyd

    PROPS MASTER