NW Valley Times

The Grand Canyon University theatre department is utilizing the summer break to undertake significant renovations, focusing initially on the costume shop. Costume Shop Manager Cindi Calhoun emphasized the importance of creating a functional and inviting environment for students. "We get to play, build and make stuff, so we want to create a fun environment," said Calhoun. "This is our fine arts lab."

New dressing rooms have been installed for cast members to try on costumes. The College of Arts and Media's theatre department produces multiple plays and dance productions throughout the academic year, leading to a cluttered costume shop filled with props and costumes from various eras.

"Twenty-something years of building, and you just keep everything," Calhoun noted. During the renovation, outdated costumes were passed along to other theatre companies that might need them. The new rack system now organizes props and costumes more efficiently.

"I wanted to have more zones to work," Calhoun added.

The renovated space includes new crafting stations with sewing machines, cleared cutting tables, and vanity areas with newly installed dressing rooms. "We don’t always recognize shops like this as classroom spaces or working spaces, but they totally are," Calhoun explained.

The walls of the costume shop are adorned with trinkets from past productions, such as Plankton from “SpongeBob” and the yellow hat from “Tuck Everlasting.” "There is a legacy here, and it is important to keep it going," Calhoun said.

Senior Jessica Mangels expressed excitement about the opportunities the revamped space will bring for future productions: “Having this space also be more available for when we do our Black Box shows...will be super great.”

In addition to the costume shop renovations, Technical Director Klay Wandelear has overseen updates in other performance spaces within the College of Arts and Media. The Black Box Theatre has had all its lights cleaned and focused in preparation for the upcoming season; it will also receive new speakers. Ethington Theatre is being prepared for a new sound system installation as it approaches its 50th anniversary in the 2024-25 academic year.

"Every year, we make things more streamlined and useable for the future,” Wandelear stated. He highlighted their goal of teaching students practical skills relevant to their future careers: "We have the luxury of showing them the right way to do it."

Wandelear, along with Chair of Theatre Bill Symington, has also been renovating backstage areas in Black Box Theatre while maintaining its integrity as a classroom space.