Chat about Halloween costume ideas with Erin Niedenthal, a KU student who designs costumes for KU Theatre. We’ll start at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Moderator

Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us today. I’m Christy Little, chat moderator. Today we’ve got a KU student here to talk with us about Halloween costumes. Erin, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in costume design?

Erin Niedenthal

Well, this is my second year in the theater design program here at KU. I have been designing costumes since high school, and I am currently designing for a show at KU called “Death of Romance” that opens at the end of November. I have also been making my own halloween costumes since junior high, and I do a lot of work with period clothes as part of my work at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival.

Moderator

What are some of the most complicated costumes you’ve designed for KU Theatre?

Erin Niedenthal

For the current play I am working on, there is a pair of romance novel characters personified onstage. For the heroine Sophia, I have designed a gorgeous red corset with purple panels and lots of lacing. She also has a shaded purple skirt and detached puffed sleeves. I also did some work not at KU but at Lawrenc High years ago for Pygmalion, creating a hat and dress ensemble for Eliza in the ball scene.

trombeck

What sort of arsenal of clothes, wigs, props, etc. does University Theatre have?

Erin Niedenthal

They have quite a selection of just about everything. There is an entire cabninet devoted to wigs, a large storage room for women’s and period clothes, a fully stocked props department, and a second storage room for men’s clothing and hats. Of course we are always looking for more things for plays, and the contemporary clothing selection is a bit sparse, but overall there is a good selection of items for most costuming needs.

jcollar

I’ve bought some run-of-the-mill Halloween makeup for my daughters, who will be prowling about town as a witch and a Dalmatian. With all the recent safety concerns about lead in toys and other products, is there any reason to be concerned about makeup safety, or certain companies to avoid?

Erin Niedenthal

I haven’t heard about any need for concern about halloween makeup. As long as you are buying from a reputable store, I wouldn’t worry. Most retailers stock the same brands of makeup, and I have never had any problems with my own supplies. If you are looking for good halloween makeup, I would recommend checking Spirit Halloween Store, and for top quality or professional makeup Ben Nye’s online store has an excellent selection.

chewyfally

How hard do you think it would be to pull off a Geico Caveman costume?

Erin Niedenthal

Probably not very hard at all. Because the Caveman is a very modern man, any reasonably fasionable men’s suit or outfit should be appropriate. The most difficult part would be the makeup and hair, and again I recommend Spirit for wigs, makeup, and possibly minor prosthetics that can be attached with Spirit Gum (a theatrical makup ‘glue’ that is used for facial hair and latex prosthetics and is easily removed) to give the face a more caveman-like contour. If cost is an issue, the same effects can be produced by shading and drawing contours with makeup.

Moderator

All right, a bit of a broader question next …

trombeck

I need an idea that: 1. costs no money, 2. can be made with things I have in my house, and 3. is clever. Any ideas? Or is that too much to ask for? Oh, and it can’t require any sewing.

Erin Niedenthal

I might have some ideas for you. First, go through your closet or attic-any old clothes, or possibly hand-me-downs from your parents or grandparents? Decade-specific costumes are very popular right now, and many people have items from the 70’s and 80’s or earlier that will make a great costume. If you don’t keep old clothes around, look for colors. All black makes an instant witch or goth, white can be an angel, red makes an excellent devil, and interesting or creative color and style combinations can be any number or little-known superheroes or villains. Prom dresses also make good princess costumes, and for kids a colored sweatsuit with ears, a tail, and a bit of facepaint can be any number of cute little animals-a black cat, a grey mouse, white bunny, or pink piggy.

Moderator

We’re almost out of time, so readers, if you have any questions, be sure to submit them now.

jcollar

We are trying to fashion a homemade broom for our daughter’s witch costume and thought about tying pampas grass or straw to a stick. Do you have any other suggestions? Also, what are the must-have accessories for a 6-year-old witch?

Erin Niedenthal

i think your broom idea is an excellent one-use raffia or another natural fiber to tie it together, and adding a few twigs into the straw will help to give dimension and create a ragged, used look for the well-travelled witch. And of course every young witch needs her own hat with mystical silver stars and moon (fabric paint and stamps or freehand if you are aritstic). A stuffed black cat makes a good companion on those dark rides through the village, and of course a magic wand is a must. Just cover a piece of dowel rod with ribbons, and add some glitter and a few beads dangling from the end for the final magical touches.

Moderator

Well, we’ve run out of time. Erin, before you go, have you decided what you’ll be for Halloween?

Erin Niedenthal

Actually, yes. My roommates and I are hosting a party with a supernatural/spiritual theme, and my boyfriend and I are going as elf lord and lady. He has a nice black velvet vest with blue and silver trim, and I am making myself some maroon satin harem pants to go with one of my renaissance bodices. Plus ears and a bit of makeup of course.

Moderator

That sounds creative! Thanks for joining us, Erin. Good luck with the upcoming KU performance.

Erin Niedenthal

Thank you, and thanks everyone for listening, I hope you have a great Halloween and remember-some of the best costumes are nothing but old clothes and a little creativity.