From St. Vincent de Paul to the Stage

Local costume creator draws inspiration from thrifted finds

Grace Wenstrup knows a good deal when she sees one. That’s why she’s been a loyal St. Vincent de Paul thrift store shopper for decades. When her kids were young, Wenstrup says she would scour the aisles at St. Vincent de Paul for affordable designs. Now, her bargain hunting hobby helps fuel her passion for giving back.

Following a family emergency over 10 years ago, Wenstrup says she began seeking out new ways to show her appreciation to her community. She signed up to direct the school play at the elementary school where she works as a reading specialist. It was a resounding success. Then, spotting a help wanted ad, she offered to design the costumes for a local theater camp for kids.

“Now it’s something I look forward to every summer,” Wenstrup says. The theater camp, hosted by Cincinnati Academy for Performing Arts, puts on three shows within four weeks each summer. Wenstrup says her discerning eye – and sometimes pure luck – have helped her create the elaborate designs that students don on stage each night. Her regular trips to St. Vincent de Paul’s Milford thrift store (which Wenstrup lovingly refers to as “the Palace”) have helped provide the supplies she needs to pull itall off.

“Two summers ago I found this bedspread there. I had no idea why I bought it. I see something – I buy it. I know something will come up and I’ll need it,” Wenstrup says.

The bedspread, made of a dull, satiny material, became pants for three lions in the camp’s production of Lion King Kids. The bedspread’s golden fringe became Simba’s mane. More fringe from handbags thrifted from St. Vincent de Paul adorned Timone and Pumba.

“Fringe really helps convey movement on the stage,” Wenstrup explains.

From kids’ favorites like The Jungle Book and Suessical to productions for teens like Xanadu – Grace says St. Vincent de Paul has been essential for costuming players in affordable and beautiful costumes for the past 8 summers.

“When I find the $5 dollar off coupons –I get an even better discount!”

Do you have a thrift store creation you’d like to share? Email us at news@SVDPcincinnati.org.

Thank you to all of our loyal shoppers!