Costume Eyes

While discussing in a Facebook group about the fun and foibles of doing community theater in Utah (most topic discussed is how conservative theater goers freak out over the lamest things), I realized I have become a Real Community Theater Person because I have developed Costume Eyes.

Costume Eyes are not really eyeballs. It is an activity. Here's what happens:

1. You are cast in a community theater play.
2. You are asked to come up with at least some of your costume pieces.
3. You scout around in your own wardrobe to see what will work.
4. You realize that clothes you've had around forever can morph into something that would be worn years and even decades before.
5. You wear the clothing and suddenly, those pieces look only like the costume and you don't want to wear them anymore, even singly and not with the other parts you wore to put together the costume. Ie: two of the outfits I wore for Prudy (see photo) are skirts and sweaters I used to wear to church sometimes. I bought the mint-colored sweater and the brooch at a secondhand store. The scarf and the taupe-colored sweater are donations from a friend. Now, I look at the skirts, sweaters, scarf, and brooch and think: I can't wear those--they're Prudy's!
6. Here's the real proof when you have developed Costume Eyes. Everywhere you look, you scrutinize clothing, jewelry, makeup, shoes, everything you can possibly wear in terms of: will this work someday as a costume piece? Today I looked at some bracelets, a straw Fedora-type hat, and some fake eyelashes. I passed on them all as I figured I could get similar bracelets and hats at garage sales, and I will wait until the eyelashes go on sale after Halloween. But the point here is: I'M LOOKING!

I admit, I am delighted that I have (or would that be better described as do or display or participate in?) Costume Eyes because I feel like, once again, this acting bug is becoming a real part of me. I am beginning to anticipate getting cast again. I'm beginning to fantasize about what roles I will be performing someday in the future. I am beginning to get into it all in a way I never had to before.

And I am seriously loving this!

Keep playing! (and shopping!)