Meet the Costume Designer of ‘Steel Magnolias’: Rebecca Spafford
Rebecca Spafford
“The challenge and heart of this show is its REALNESS; These ladies are not caricatures, they are characters that embody a little something in all of us. My challenge has been to bring that to the costumes as well. I LOVED the spectacle and big hair of the 80’s as a teenager, but the multi-generational southern women of Steel Magnolias are far removed from the sparkle of MTV.
So, after rejecting most of our teeny tiny vintage 80s prom dresses in stock, I instead recreated the famous (infamous?) 1980s silhouettes to fit each character and actress. I hope you can’t tell the difference between what is vintage and what has been recreated for this beloved show and its characters!” -Rebecca Spafford, Costume Designer
Rebecca has collaborated with numerous local companies over the past sixteen years. She acts as Department Head of Wardrobe for several venues and has worked for artists such as David Bowie, Kenny Rogers, Taylor Swift, Rhianna, Mickey Mouse and Big Bird. Rebecca also has toured the U.S. and Canada as a Wardrobe Supervisor. She has costumed and performed for several projects including OpenStage’s Bug(OpenStage OPUS Award/Outstanding Actress), A Bright Room Called Day (OPUS/Outstanding Supporting Actress), The Women(OPUS/Outstanding Costume Design) and Dangerous Liasons(2014 Colorado Henry Award/ Outstanding Costume Design). Other memorable roles include Karen Weston in August: Osage County (OPUS/Outstanding Supporting Actress), Tanya Shepke in The North Plan and Jo/Mae West in Dirty Blonde(OPUS/Outstanding Actress) with OpenStage. Recent costuming endeavors include Fort Collins Children’s Theatre’s The Little Mermaid and OpenStage’s The Crucible (2018 Henry Award/Outstanding Costume Design), Spamalot, and the 1980s-inspired The Comedy of Errors. Rebecca is the recipient of the OpenStage Founders’ Award, which is awarded annually for outstanding contributions to the Company.
Steel Magnolias
By Robert Harling | Directed by Debbie Swann
January 19- February 16
“The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” – Clairee in Steel Magnolias
Honey. It’s the 1980s. And hairspray is flying at Truvy’s beauty shop where the motto is, “There is no such thing as natural beauty.” Over the buzz of blow dryers, six southern spitfires gather each week to gossip and support each other through thick and thin. From weddings to divorces and from babies to funerals, they weather every event in their lives together with grace, determination, and perfectly coiffed hair. Infused with heart and humor, Steel Magnolias is a touching story of love, loss, and enduring friendship.
Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre | 417 W. Magnolia
