Chester - Chester Theatre Company is donating its entire costume collection, assembled over the last twenty-one seasons, to the Westfield State University Theatre Arts Program. The costume project is a new phase in the partnership between the two organizations, which was launched last year with the highly successful Camp Shepard play writing program for Westfield area middle school children.

The collection will virtually double the size of WSU's inventory - space in the Ely theatre complex was re-purposed and outfitted with specially designed costume racks to house the new stock. In keeping with CTC's commitment to contemporary theatre works, the CTC collection features 20th century pieces, but according to costume designer Heather Crocker Aulenback, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at WSU, "There are pieces that span the centuries and include fantasy pieces, allowing for more flexibility and

creativity for student designers and their productions. This donation will influence WSU theatrical endeavors for years to come!"

Chester Theatre Company Artistic Director Byam Stevens says the donation serves both organizations, "Westfield State can use the costumes in their department plays during the school year and we can use them during our summer season. More importantly, WSU has the personnel to curate this collection on a year round basis, and give it the maintenance it deserves."

In addition to the new costume collection partnership, WSU faculty members Heather Crocker Aulenback and James McNamara will be designing costumes and sound for CTC MainStage productions this summer. According to Jack Shea, Coordinator of the WSU Theatre Arts Program,"The costume collection is yet another part of our growing relationship with this fine professional company, and we're looking to work with CTC on developing new programs that will further the educational and training needs of our students."

Jenny Rohn and Gretchen Egolf's 1890's Costumes from "Boston Marriage"

John Shuman, Jay Stratton, Tim Donoghue's contemporary Costumes from "The Dishwashers"

 

Steve Hendrickson and Chandler Vinton's 1940's Costumes from "Mercy of a Storm"