![Ursuline Theatre Presented the Spring Musical, Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1709227939/ursulinedallas/ihxwn1spriu22dusmw8l/noisesoff.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1709227939/ursulinedallas/ihxwn1spriu22dusmw8l/noisesoff.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1709227939/ursulinedallas/ihxwn1spriu22dusmw8l/noisesoff.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1709227939/ursulinedallas/ihxwn1spriu22dusmw8l/noisesoff.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1709227939/ursulinedallas/ihxwn1spriu22dusmw8l/noisesoff.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1709227939/ursulinedallas/ihxwn1spriu22dusmw8l/noisesoff.png","width":1640}])
By Amelia Rowes '25, Communications Intern
For this year's Spring Musical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Mary Borkowski '24 was the creative behind Belle's iconic yellow dress. This is the seventh production that Mary has worked on costumes for. She was also the Costume Chief for the Fall Play, Noises Off.
(Pictured: one of Mary's designs from Noises Off.)
“I'm so grateful for my time on the Ursuline costume crew," said Mary. "I love being able to do the thing I love. It's been a great opportunity to gain sewing and design experience. I definitely learned how to work under pressure, too.”
Beauty and the Beast was a particularly unique show to costume, requiring more creativity as the crew fabricates and builds distinctive costumes, like life-sized cups, feather dusters, and silverware crowns.
Over 30 hours were spent building Belle's yellow ball gown. Mary looked to 1850’s dress trends for inspiration and sewing techniques. After coming up with her vision and sketching a rendering of the dress, Mary got to work. The dress required ten yards of fabric.
“I love the physical process of making a dress by hand," she said.
(Pictured: Belle's yellow dress, created by Mary.)
Performing Arts teacher Whitney Coulter who oversees the costume crew, and also teaches Introduction to Costuming, a semester elective where students learn the process of designing and sewing costumes, is impressed with Mary’s artistry and passion.
"Her confidence as a seamstress and artist have grown exponentially since she took my Intro to Costuming class her sophomore year," said Coulter. "She has stepped up as a leader, excelling as Editor-in-Chief for the ESSE Literary Magazine, Lieutenant and Clarinet Section Leader in Band, and Costume Crew Chief for Beauty and the Beast.”
Amelia Mappus '24, who played Belle, is astounded at all of Mary's costume creations, but especially this semester's quintessential Beauty and the Beast yellow ball gown.
“It reminds me of the teamwork needed to put on these shows," said Amelia. "Mary and the rest of the Ursuline costume crew have been so supportive, and their creativity and hard work has truly inspired me to put everything I have on the stage.”