A Northrop Halloween

October 29, 2012
by
admin

With Halloween just around the corner, we find ourselves, pumpkin-flavored lattes in hand, searching for the perfect costume for the nights out to come. At Northrop, we fully appreciate the array of spectacular costumes displayed by the artists we present on stage. Halloween is the perfect time to express YOUR artistic side. I have a few tips and tricks to leave with you today, to ensure you make a bold impression wherever this spooky holiday takes you.

1. Color: Don’t be afraid to embrace the wide array of shades that comprise ROYGBIV. Our color palette exists for a reason, after all! Sporting an array of bright shades will make for a lively, dynamic get-up, and will provide you with the confidence needed to spark up conversation, and maybe even bust a few moves. Check out these vibrant attires displayed by Joffrey Ballet in The Rite of Spring, which, when debuted 100 years ago, caused riots because of it’s avant-garde choreography and music. The piece deviated from classical style of Russian ballet, and since then, The Rite of Spring has become one of the most influential, widely performed works of the 20th century. Are you daring enough to sport something so bold as this?

2. Make-up: The face you put on come All Hallow’s Eve will set the foundation for your entire costume. Whether you choose to go for a raw look of neutrals and varying textures, or steer towards dramatic eye-popping paints is completely up to you and the costume you choose. The physical features you emphasize will play a large part in driving the rest of your ensemble. Rosie Herrera plays with the vivid eyes and lips in her dance theater, which works perfectly with her theatrical twist of drag, hip-hop, and opera. This unique, daring make-up style alone will capture the attention of any Halloween partygoers. 

3. Props: Why not enhance your evening get-up by adding into the mix, a prop, of sorts, whether it be a mask, or even a full body suit? In Khmer Arts Ensemble, for example, we see two oversized crocodile puppets on stage, which cater to the storytelling theme about a Cambodian Village as it deals with and love, magic, vengeance, and redemption. Or how about the instruments that make up the eight-piece live rock band in Israeli-born British choreographer Hofesh Shechter’s Political Mother? You always wanted to be a rock star – admit it – and now is your chance! Take from the best – dance companies that is – and amp up your Halloween costume by incorporating some fun, meaningful props. 

Got all that? With less than a week to finalize your Halloween costume(s), embrace these tricks as treats while you create your final look. When the 31st rolls around, hesitate not, and stride into the night with your personalized Halloween costume. You’ll be sure to grab the attention of every ghost and ghoul in the room. 

~Rachel Hauser
Marketing Intern, Northrop Concerts and Lectures