The cues are set, the set is prepared and the curtain is ready to be opened for North Penn High School’s production of Tim Rice and Elton John’s Aida, which premiers tonight, April 25, 2013! A lot of hard work and preparation went into making this piece a stunning production, on the stage and behind the stage. One of the most essential elements of this production especially was the costumes. Because of the Egyptian setting, the costumes for this show needed to evoke the time period where this timeless love story takes place.

Unlike North Penn High School’s last two productions (The Sound of Music and The Music Man) Aida is a more modern show when it comes to music. As a result, the costumes also had to evoke that contemporary feel. Sarah Wittman, junior at North Penn and costume manager for the show, accomplished this task. Not only does Wittman help with quick changes and costume alterations, she also designs some of the pieces herself! Wittman got her start with sewing in middle school FCS class and also from learning tips from her mom on how to sew pieces of clothing back together.

Wittman believes that helping out with costumes for plays has greatly helped her sewing skill level. She is the designated person to go to if there is a costume malfunction or if you’ve misplaced your headgear. Through all of the crazy havoc that occurs backstage, she remains calm, cool and collected. Wittman says the job has taught her “responsibility, time management, organization and how to take control.”

Wittman has helped out with previous North Penn productions, such as Twelfth Night, but “Aida has been her favorite because everything was handmade.” She loved the fact that almost every costume in the show was handmade, even some made by herself. Wittman crafted beautiful collars, turbans, and warrior gear for the cast of Aida. Wittman’s personal favorite was the collars she made for certain characters.

“I got to be creative with them and seeing them on stage makes me ecstatic because my hard work and creativity brought their costumes to a new level,” said Wittman.

Wittman doesn’t plan on studying fashion or costume design in college, but does plan on being on costume crew for the productions her future college puts on. Throughout all the crazy quick costume changes, missing buttons and broken zippers, Wittman had a blast through it all and has made many life-long friendships. Come out and see more of Wittman’s beautiful creations in Aida, premiering on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 7:30 PM! There are also shows on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm, and Saturday 2:00 pm.

Pictured below are some of the pieces that Sarah Wittman created for Aida.