Retro Revival

Lightridge steps back in time with colorful costumes from Bye Bye Birdie

BY RESIDENT KELLY MITCHELL THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY EUROPEAN AESTHETIC & PERMANENT MAKEUP CENTER

Bailey Mitchell is a sophomore at Lightridge High School and the head costume designer for the Lightridge Theatre Department. She has been involved in theatre since sixth grade when she assumed a lead role for the Quantico High School main production, as a military child. Before attending Lightridge, Bailey preferred the acting side of theatre, but when she moved to Northern Virginia from North Carolina, she wanted to try something new and chose technical theatre as her elective. At first, Bailey wanted to work in set design since she enjoyed woodworking at her previous school. When no one signed up for costuming, she jumped at the opportunity to lead the costume department as a freshman. Bailey had never sewn before and quickly discovered it was a necessary skill for costuming. Thankfully her mother has some sewing knowledge, so Bailey got a crash course in how to use a sewing machine and follow simple patterns.

Last year Bailey focused on altering clothing donations. She dabbled in making simple costumes, like capes mid-year. This Spring, Lightridge is performing the musical Bye Bye Birdie, and Bailey wanted to make as many of the costumes from scratch as she could. Her parents donated hundreds of dollars in fabric and supplies. By mid-February, Bailey, Sophie and Lilly Coyle made five poodle skirts, four petticoats, three dresses, started on four more dresses, and plans to make several more petticoats, and shirts for the male actors. Everything they have made is adjustable in size, so the theatre department can use them again for other shows in the future.

Even with all the costume team’s hard work, the costume department (and others in the theatre program) need quality donations. Lightridge is a new school and is starting with minimal costumes, set pieces, and props for their productions. In the costume department, they are currently looking for fabric to make costumes from scratch, quality costumes such as clothes for royalty, old military uniforms, 1920’s flapper-like clothing, good quality wigs, hats, costume jewelry, wedding and bridesmaid dresses, ball gowns, victorian clothing, men’s suits from all time periods, and anything specific to past time periods. If you have donations,, or would like to support the Lightridge theatre department, please reach out to the Lightridge Theatre Boosters and/or consider joining the booster club (you don’t have to have a student in the theatre department or even at Lightridge to join boosters!).

Lightridge Theatre Boosters Website: https://www.lightridgetheatre.org/boosters.html

Tickets for the Bye Bye Birdie can be purchased online before the show at a discount, or at the door for full price. The show will be held at the Lightridge