Rehearsals are tedious, but fun for “The Women,” a hysterically funny play that stars near 40 New Orleans area actresses. I am one of those women. We are following a brutal schedule, memorizing lines, learning how to stage walk and talk at the same time and more.
The classic comedy will open for dinner theater on Feb. 19, run for three weekends and close with one Sunday matinee on March 6 at the Gretna Cultural Center for the Arts, 740 4th St. in downtown Gretna.
An exciting experience for me has been working with Ashley Heathcock, the play’s professional costume designer.
Not being even close to a svelte size 6, I was very concerned about wearing the sleek couture of the 1950s. I play a wealthy, aged, gone-to-pot actress who drinks a bit too much.
Heathcock has created outfits that so far, I haven’t minded wearing. Some can be a trifle aggravating, like the ones with feathers that somehow seem to end up stuck to my face instead of on the garment. In my role, I also wear unusual hats.
The designer has gathered and acquired countless outfits, dozens of fur coats and accessories of all types, hats, handbags and a huge array of vintage jewelry.
As she outfitted me for the show, she shared information about her career choice and progress in such.
“When I was 8, I attempted to sew a top cut out of old curtains. Unfamiliar with sewing techniques at that age, the seams wound up on the outside of the garment,” she said.
“My family didn’t have much money to spend on my wardrobe. After seeing ‘Clueless,’ I decided to use fashion to change people’s perception of me.”
Heathcock garage-sale shopped and her mother taught her how to use a sewing machine. Thanks to their diligence, she was voted best dressed at her school by age 12.
“My passion led to sketching outfits that I wanted, but couldn’t find in stores because of my petite frame,” she said.
“After graduating from the American Intercontinental University of London with a degree in fashion design, I worked in Austin, Texas assisting fashion designer Stephen McMillan Moser. He invited me to show a capsule collection with him as a featured designer for The Long Center Performing Arts Benefit in 2006.
“I then teamed up with the well-known jewelry designer, Dean Fredrick, for the Graphic II Art Bra Fundraiser. Together we designed the highest bid-upon bra, out bidding other designers such as Debbie Harry, from Blondie.
“While in Texas, I started a small accessory line called My Charms for Charity. A promotional video for the line was featured on VIMBY.com with over one million views and also on the Austin morning news for a segment on local designers. That same year I was a finalist for Texas’ Next Top Designer.
In 2010 Heathcock moved to New Orleans to assist David Dartnell in the fashion industry, but the business failed.
“I had never considered the film business, but realized how big an industry it is here. I started as a costume intern, became a costume production assistant, within a year was moved up to seamstress and joined the local union,” she said.
Over the years she worked as a set costumer, fitting costumer, ager/dyer, costume shopper, costume illustrator and assistant to reach her goal as costume designer. She has worked on more than 20 films.
Between film and television work, she designs jewelry for her company HEATHCOCK and also designs music videos and short films.
“Recently costume designer Lou Eyrich used the ‘Tooth Fairy’ necklace from my jewelry line for the character Donovan on ‘American Horror Story-Hotel.’ I was thrilled! That necklace was also featured in Nola’s Art + Design magazine and my ‘Desert Cottontail’ skull necklace and broach combo was featured in the 2015 Gambit’s CUE Magazine. My jewelry is on heathcockhouse.com,” she said.
“I belong to International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 478, the Nola chapter representing skilled crafts workers in film, television, theater, broadcasting and live events. I am submitting to (IATSE) Costume Designers Guild, 892 which represents costume designers and illustrators working in motion pictures, television and commercials.
“I was the head textile artist for the film “The Long Night,” about the BP oil spill. I had the wonderful opportunity of working with director Peter Burg who bought a necklace from my jewelry line for his girlfriend’s birthday. It was my job to make the clothes in the movie look as though they had been through an oil explosion, without using oil and to keep the clothes dry for the comfort of the actors,” she said.
“The Women” is a story about women and their men, with fashions and high society, circa 1950.
Tickets are $52, inclusive for dinner and the play and $37 for the play only. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the center.
For reservations, call Bravender at 504.362.4451.
Soup contest
Register and pay $30 for team competition in the Gretna Farmer’s Market annual Magic Ladle Soup Cook Off on Feb. 27. Four person teams set-up at 7 a.m., start cooking at 8 and serve the public from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Soup choices are cream and broth types. Three money prizes in each category. The public can taste all of the soups for $5 per person.
To register, call 504.361.1822 or email PaulColes@cox.net
Today’s Tidbit
Italian cookie-making has begun for the 2016 St. Joseph Day Altar at St. Joseph Church and Shrine. Volunteers are needed from Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monetary donations, as well as baking supplies are also needed. Call 504.362.6631 for details.
Helen Williams is a Gretna resident who writes about people and events of community interest. She can be reached at 504.450.8481 or email her at gretnaglance@cox.net. Her posts and videos can be seen at: http://connect.nola.com/user/mhwilliams/index.html
