For Immediate Release

Contact: Audra Tanguay, atanguay@hartfordstage.org
860.520.7247, cell 203.910.8419

Hartford Stage Costume Shop Makes Paper Dress Out of Maps

Hartford, CT, October 15, 2012 - The theme for Hartford Stage's 2012/13 season, "All the World," is being represented in the "map dress" made entirely out of paper, on display in the theatre lobby.

Hartford Stage costume department's Susan Aziz and Barry Sellers collaborated to reach the completion of a map dress made entirely out of paper. Barry arrived at the idea after purchasing an oversized book of antique maps. Inspired by the colors and images, he brought the idea of a paper map dress to Costume Shop Manager Matt Smart.

Barry made a pattern for a practice dress out of white butcher paper and used various paper punches to simulate lace and detailed trim. He then teamed up with Susan Aziz to print map images from a large scale printer used for blueprints and then use those print-outs as "fabric" for a dress. Susan had the idea to wad up all the paper maps then smooth them out before sewing them together, which gave texture to the dress.

The paper map dress is on display in the Harford Stage lobby through December 2012.

Hartford Stage Company

Hartford Stage, since its founding in 1963, has been known for innovative revivals of classics and the development of important new works, including 65 World or American premieres. Recent work includes Quiara Alegria Hudes'Water by the Spoonful, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Horton Foote'sThe Orphans' Home Cyclewhich had a celebrated run at the Signature Theatre in New York during the 2009-2010 season; a landmark production of Harper Lee'sTo Kill a Mockingbird;the premieres of Michael Kramer'sDivine Rivalry;and Daniel Beaty'sResurrection (later retitledThrough the Night,which had a successful run off-Broadway during the 2010-11 season). In 1998 the theatre launched an unprecedented ten-year retrospective of Tennessee Williams, which included the premiere of three plays. Other new work includes the premieres of Eve Ensler'sNecessary Targets, Edward Albee'sAt Home at the Zoo,Matthew Barber'sEnchanted April(which transferred to Broadway), Matthew Lombardo'sTea at Five, and many others. The theatre has earned numerous distinguished honors, including a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Margo Jones Award, OBIE awards, New York Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards. In 2005 Hartford Stage was awarded The Hartford Courant's Tapestry Award recognizing its outstanding work in diversity, and in 2008 it was awarded the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder's Award recognizing its excellence in building community in Greater Hartford. Hartford Stage is currently under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts.