Opening Night for Allegedly in Love!
Author: Leah Christenson | Major: Theatre | Semester: Spring 2023
Hi there! I’m Leah Christenson, a senior Theatre major and Spanish minor in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Under the direction of Helene Siebrits, the head of costume design for UARK’s Theatre Department, I led a team of artists in the design and production of Allegedly in Love. Allegedly in Love is a new play that follows four young adults freshly out of college as they explore newfound independence, self-discovery, and the trials of relationships. After they move in together, we witness tensions between our main couple, Blair and Sydney. Alongside their respective best friends, Morgan and Travis, they navigate conversational grenades that fundamentally alter the dynamics between them. This show debuted in a series of four theatrical performances from October 21st-23rd, 2022 that were open to the public. Alongside talented University of Arkansas director and playwright Madelyn Marks, we curated a team of designers, production staff, actors, and crew members to make this full-length, student original work come to life.
Before settling on a script, I was determined to have Helene Siebrits as my mentor. She is an experienced costume designer with an impressive host of shows under her belt, as well as an influential professor and mentor in my own costume journey. She invited me into her classes, encouraged me every step of the way, and broadened what I believed I was capable of. I asked her to be my mentor very early in the process, and was delighted when she said yes.
When I first read one of the scenes from Allegedly in Love, I was smitten with it. My introduction to the piece was during a meeting of The Playground, a playwriting and workshopping club on campus. The script had four actors, minimal set changes, a realistic style, and most importantly, had a story I felt needed to be heard. The character interactions were fresh and dynamic, and the scale of the show was perfect for a black box theater space like UARK’s Studio 404. There were plenty of lovely character moments for the actors to explore, and challenges for the designers like how one might indicate rain on garments or how to light actors during a power outage. Soon after hearing it read aloud, I requested to meet with Madelyn about her piece. We discussed it at length in a coffee shop meeting intended to be thirty minutes, but spanned four hours. Madelyn was very passionate about her piece, and, beyond her playwriting, was an accomplished director hungry for opportunities. After reviewing her artistic credits, I determined she would be the perfect choice as director for the piece. We officially agreed to be partners in bringing Allegedly in Love to the stage.
Amidst the creative process, I was fortunate to receive invaluable support from the University of Arkansas Honors College Research Grant. This funding fully supported our production, financing everything from set pieces, to costumes, to publicity materials. I was also able to get real financial management experience as a producer, coordinating all purchases from a central fund and determining things like receipt-keeping and reimbursement for show materials.
Juggling the responsibilities of producer and costume designer proved to be the most formidable challenge of this experience. As the producer, I had to ensure the smooth execution of the entire production, from securing a venue and managing the budget to coordinating rehearsals and marketing efforts. Simultaneously, as the costume designer, I had to channel my artistic vision, working closely with the director and cast to bring the characters to life visually. This delicate balancing act demanded effective time management and open communication, not to mention hard work and late nights.
The process of bringing “Allegedly in Love” to life was a collective effort, fueled by the passion and dedication of a talented team. The cast and technical crew, comprising other students who selflessly dedicated their time and energy, contributed their unique skills and perspectives to elevate the production. Collaboration became the cornerstone of our success, fostering an environment of trust and creativity. Together, we navigated the challenges that inevitably arose, working through the nuances of character development and ensuring that the costumes seamlessly intertwined with the narrative and performances.
I valued this experience immensely in my development as an artist, and I’m grateful for everyone who worked to make it happen. I gained comprehensive, hands-on experience as a producer and costume designer that I will carry with me into my career. Allegedly in Love has expanded my creative and administrative horizons, preparing me for professional theatrical work. This process has tested my skills as a team leader, designer, and theatrical coordinator following the model of a professional production. This show expanded both my skills and my portfolio, which is crucial for my ongoing future employment as a collaborative, well-rounded theater artist. In the theater industry, the ability to produce your own work is imperative to expanding your personal brand in a competitive industry. I’m honored to have taken what started as a script and a conversation between two artists into a fully-realized show and completed a creative thesis project.
Looking forward, this transformative experience has paved the way for exciting opportunities in the realm of theater. I am thrilled to be working as a stitcher for the Arkansas Shakespeare Theater, where I will have the chance to refine my technical skills and costume abilities. Furthermore, I have been chosen as the costume designer for the musical “Cabaret” at the Studio Theater in Little Rock, AR, a true honor as a freshly graduated designer as I join my former mentors as an artistic colleague. This upcoming fall, I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be joining the TheatreSquared team full-time as their Development Apprentice, working to share the joy of live performance with the community and support the wonderful work they do.