Penn State Theatre Students Collaborate on Costume Production for Delaware Theatre Company’s ‘Always… Patsy Cline’

The Theatre Arts Production Studio at Penn State was bustling with activity as faculty and students worked on costumes for the Delaware Theatre Company’s production of ‘Always… Patsy Cline’.

Renowned costume designer Richard St. Clair, head of Penn State’s costume design program, enlisted the help of students to bring his designs to life for the show.

Master of Fine Arts candidate Erin Stanek was intricately involved in creating one of the signature costumes, a blue and white star cowgirl outfit, representing the first look of the title character in the musical.

The process of costume creation began six months prior, with a fabric sourcing trip to New York City in preparation for the production in Wilmington, where lead actress Meagan Lewis-Michelson resides in Boston.

To ensure the costumes fit Lewis-Michelson accurately, Penn State alumna Therese Stadelmeier-Tresco conducted fittings and measurements in Boston, providing essential information for the costume production.

Despite not meeting the actress in person, Stanek successfully crafted the costume based on notes and photos, highlighting the trust placed in her by St. Clair as a professional draper.

Laura Robinson, head of costume production at Penn State, also had a significant role in the production, creating a baby pink suit for the show, showcasing the alignment between the university’s costume-making process and professional standards.

Other students involved in the project included Erin Stumm, who worked on a royal blue cocktail dress, and Lauren Greenfield, who contributed to a black and white shirtwaist dress for the production.

Penn State’s theatre graduate program offers specialized emphases in both costume production and design, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and opportunities to work on professional productions.