MAXA: The Maddest Woman in the World
Costume Design by Caitlin Quinn and Casper Pichotta
Directed by Bill Payne
The University of MN Duluth
New Musical World Premier
Scenic Designer: Curt Phillips and Sam Keran
Makeup/Hair Designer: Ryan Hamilton
Lighting Designer: Andrew Norfolk
Sound Designer: Ethan Hollinger
Production Details: This was the world premiere of the new musical MAXA. The production went through long development phase which spanned the live theatre shutdown of 2020. The production called for blood special fx to be incorporated into the costume design. The show also featured characters who were gender non-conforming so the outward gender expression of each character from scene to scene had to be tracked as part of the costume design process. The production had the support of the UMD costume shop.
Costume Details: The costume design was inspired by surrealist fashion of the 1930s - specifically Schiaparelli's 1938 circus collection. When the characters were performing (in the play within the play) or during dream sequences the costumes were designed to be nightmarish and surreal. When the characters were in their "everyday" attire their costumes were more subdued and less extravagant. The ensemble (seen in black and red costume pieces) were nightmare figures meant to be separate from any reality or time period. Their black knee pads were required because of the choreography.