Unnatural Acts: Harvard’s Secret Court of 1920

devised by Tony Speciale and the members of the Plastic Theater

This follows the true story of a group of young men who, following the suicide of one of their members, are forced into a gauntlet of accusation by their professors and their peers.

For this piece I was one of the Assistant Costume Designers. The pieces were mostly rented and so a lot of the work was in fittings and alterations. I mostly focused on making sure all shoes were ready, which involved adding grips to the bottoms of several pairs of shoes, as well as polishing, dyeing, and painting. There was a lot of fight choreography so it was important the performers felt secure in their oxfords.

Production Team

Director: Tony Speciale

Asst. Director: Alexandra Lombardo

Production Stage Manager: Caitlyn Malczon

Costume Designer: Charlotte Palmer-Lane

Asst. Costume Designers: Will Galarneau, Summer Glodstein

Scenic Designer: Jo Winiarski

Lighting Designer: Travis McHale

Sound Designer: Kiersten Lamora

Technical Director: Shannon Dodson

Dramaturg: Erin Denman

Shoes in dire need of slip-resistance.

Shoes in dire need of slip-resistance.

Shoes with a layer of rubber glued to the soles for grip.

Shoes with a layer of rubber glued to the soles for grip.

These were shoes the designer requested be made into a two-tone.

These were shoes the designer requested be made into a two-tone.

I prepped, painted them, and sealed it all with a gloss sealant. I then polished and buffed the toes.

I prepped, painted them, and sealed it all with a gloss sealant. I then polished and buffed the toes.

These shoes were too light for the desired look, and so I was asked to dye them.

These shoes were too light for the desired look, and so I was asked to dye them.

I used a deglazer, then applied leather dye. I would have liked to do another coat but we didn't have any more of the dye and no time to get any so I made do.

I used a deglazer, then applied leather dye. I would have liked to do another coat but we didn't have any more of the dye and no time to get any so I made do.

After the dye I sealed them with a high gloss finish then polished them.

After the dye I sealed them with a high gloss finish then polished them.