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| Members of the USU dance companies at the 2011 Howl. |
Those behind the scenes are not.
Despite lack of recognition, however, a team of costumers, seamstresses and makeup artists continually aid in each performance.
“These people are givers so we keep going back to them,” said Joey Geurts, a member of the break-dancing crew. “It sounds bad, but we take advantage of that.”
While there is adequate support now, the USU dance companies have not always had someone to rely on.
When dance director Krissy Smith-Fry began the USU dance companies five years ago, much of the funding for the team’s costumes were out of her own pocket.
“The first year, we had zero funding,” she said. “I financially supported the companies.”
Though the budget has improved due to years of fundraising, Fry and her assistants must be continually innovative when preparing for each show.
“We beg, borrow and steal,” Fry said. “We borrow from my sister’s dance company in California and we borrow from the theatre department.”
For costumes that the theatre department and other companies cannot provide, Fry relies on Lisa Lundahl and Arlene Smith.
“Krissy and I collaborate on ideas,” said Smith. “I can figure out the easiest way to do things. Lisa Lundahl does the hard stuff.”
Despite Smith’s creativity and Lundahl’s sewing experience, however, the pair is often restricted.
“A lot of limitations come strictly from budgeting,” Smith said. “Things have to be very simple. We aren’t always able to go as big as we would like to.”
While many costumes are scaled back to save money, one event repeatedly requires extravagance – the Howl.
“The Howl was amazing,” said Full-Circle member Julia Williams. “Everything was bright, colorful and detailed.”
This year’s circus-inspired theme was not only time intensive for the costumers, but for the makeup artist as well.
“Each person had different clown makeup based on their facial features,” said makeup artist Audrey Merrill. “Coming up with something unique for 53 people was difficult.”
Because Merrill was responsible for such a large group, she had to rely on members within the companies to help her apply the makeup. Though they lacked experience, many were pleased with the end result.
“The Howl was my favorite because I didn’t look like myself,” said freshman Alex Anderson.
While positive reactions from the team reinforce their motivation, Merrill and each of the costumers have additional reasons for repeatedly helping the companies – the people they love.
Merrill’s boyfriend is a member of the break-dancing crew, Lundahl has a daughter on Vilociti, and Smith is the dance director’s mother.
“My mom has always been really involved in what I have done,” said Danielle Croft, Lundahl’s daughter. “She is a very giving person and she is very talented at what she does.”
Likewise, team member Brett “Soda” George appreciates the service of his girlfriend and the rest of the costuming team.
“When you’re in costume – you’re in character,” George said. “They add to the aesthetics of the performance and they enhance the story. Costumes are irreplaceable.”
As grateful as members of the team are, many feel incapable of adequately expressing their appreciation.
“There's not a lot that we can give to them in return except for our appreciation,” Geurts said.
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