{"id":25151,"date":"2023-03-02T16:04:03","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T21:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/?p=25151&preview=true&preview_id=25151"},"modified":"2023-03-14T16:47:27","modified_gmt":"2023-03-14T20:47:27","slug":"professor-bringing-passion-for-set-and-costume-design-to-richmond-civic-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/news-events\/professor-bringing-passion-for-set-and-costume-design-to-richmond-civic-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"Professor bringing passion for set and costume design to Richmond Civic Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\t\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"
Mia Slayton at the Earlham College costume shop.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Mia Slayton<\/a> is bringing her passion for costume and set design to the Richmond community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slayton was the lead costume and set designer for Richmond Civic Theatre<\/a>\u2019s recent production of \u201cMiss Holmes\u201d and joined the organization\u2019s board of directors earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve worked with Richmond Civic Theatre in the past but we\u2019ve really formalized that relationship this year and are bridging gaps between the two organizations,\u201d Slayton said. \u201cI\u2019m especially excited about identifying additional opportunities for Earlham students to get involved and contribute to the outstanding work happening at RCT.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMiss Holmes\u201d ran for two weekends at RCT\u2019s Murray Theater in January. Three other members of the Earlham community made contributions to the production. Sarah Sexton, assistant director of stewardship, played the lead role of Sherlock Holmes. Senior Mike Martin played the role of Reginald Featherstone. Sophomore Austi Jenkins was an assistant costume designer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
A scene from Richmond Civic Theatre’s production of “Miss Holmes.”<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is one of the best casts I\u2019ve ever worked with,\u201d Slayton said. \u201cEveryone was really friendly and supportive of one another because for some people, this was their first time doing stage management or directing. I was also mentoring them through the process. It was nice working on the show from all angles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For \u201cMiss Holmes,\u201d Slayton created original costumes for three characters and made pieces and borrowed aspects of costumes from past Earlham productions to round out the overall design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love seeing how my work changes by being embodied by the actor,\u201d Slayton said. \u201cThey make them look better. They make them come to life. It warms my heart to see them interact and see them become the character once they put on my clothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RCT originally performed productions at Earlham prior to making the Murray Theatre its current home. Becky Jewison, a director, former board member and founder of Stage One Youth Theatre Program, was also a costume shop manager and professor at Earlham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have a long history together and, in many ways, our two organizations are synonymous with one another,\u201d said John Faas, the executive director of Richmond Civic Theatre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving someone with Mia\u2019s professional experience and skills is immensely helpful to RCT,\u201d he said. \u201cHer extensive knowledge in technical theatre, particularly costuming, can only make us better as a theatre company\u2014even more so having her voice on our board of directors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slayton came to Earlham in 2013. She teaches courses on stage design, stage management and theatre history. She designed costumes for Earlham Theatre Company\u2019s productions \u201cPersephone UNCUT,\u201d \u201cCompany,\u201d \u201cThe Misadventures of Martin Hathaway,\u201d \u201cWomen Playing Hamlet,\u201d and \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing.\u201d She also designed productions for the Richmond Shakespeare Festival, Minnetrista Theatre in Muncie, Indiana, and Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to Earlham, she sewed for Chapman University in Orange, California, and designed the short film \u201cJagerbar.\u201d Other production credits range from classics like Anton Chekhov\u2019s \u201cThe Cherry Orchard\u201d to contemporary works like \u201cUrinetown: The Musical\u201d to premiere productions of new plays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\n\n

Media contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brian Zimmerman<\/strong>
Assistant vice president of strategic communications
<\/em>
Email: zimmebr@earlham.edu
Phone: 765.983.1256<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n