Bailey Crouch: Into the Woods Transformation

Artist Statement        

This project’s goal is to create six costumes that represent the duality of characters from Into the Woods. The play has a few messages – be careful what you wish for and be prepared to face repercussions for your own actions. I have chosen to design the Witch, Jack, and Cinderella in 1890s clothes.

The Witch starts a haggard old woman, mourning the loss of her youthfulness (and magic beans). To reflect that, I’ve put her in all black, but kept some of her glamour through a brocade-like pattern. Once she regains her vigor, I put her in an extravagant green and gold outfit inspired by the Gibson Girl.

Jack is a charming farm boy, so I wanted him to wear an Irish peasant’s garb in earthy tones. He’ll carry around a woodcutter’s axe – the weapon he uses to kill the giant. Once he gets rich, he’ll wear a gloomy black overcoat. While he may have wealth now, he has lost what is most precious to him.

Cinderella is her family’s maid, so she wears standard serving clothes: a black dress and a dingy white apron. The simplicity of it acts opposite to her outfit for the ball. I’ve modelled it after Carmencita, a flamenco dancer from the time. She will wear a vibrant red dress covered in gold and silver accents alongside the gilded shoes.

I hope the viewer can witness the connection between each character to each other via the transfer of colors and designs between their past/future selves.

2023 VADS - People's Choice Voting

About the Project

• Title of Work: Into the Woods Transformation
• Medium: Six 9x12 watercolor paintings
• Student's Name: Bailey Crouch
• Major: Theatre (Writing for Performance)
• Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
• Hometown: Lincoln, MO, USA
• Student's Mentor: Marc Vital
• Mentor's Department: Theatre