Costume Kits for Seussical Volunteers

There is a saying in my Event Management life: "show volunteers HOW its done, GIVE them the tools they need and Volunteers step up and Make It Happen." My event management experience bleeds over into my mom life...here it is. I volunteered to make costumes for my son's elementary school musical - Seussical the Musical. I found such a supportive helpful group of volunteers (to help me in my volunteering!)... these parents did not disappoint.

...Parents could pick up and drop off Kits in the office...

Provided in the Costume Kit:

1. cutout templates of the pieces volunteers would be assembling & material for cutting.

2. the instruction sheet was hand written with drawn figures. Some people are visual and others do better with written guidelines.

3. scrap felt for decorating.

4. tacky glue.


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The Volunteer parents really stepped up!!! Over 35 people contributed to our costume success! Kits were made for ribbon rods (made from FREE paint stirrers), WHO everything (except the sewn shorts and skirts) suspenders, collars, headbands, ties, etc., the hunters reversible vest to fish and a separate kit to make the fins and tails, where the mom took extra effort to decorate them!

"Show volunteers HOW its done,

GIVE them the tools they need and

Volunteers step up and Make It Happen." 

Seussical Costume Kits for Volunteers, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Seussical Costume Kits for Volunteers, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Seussical Costume Kits for Volunteers, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Seussical Costume Kits for Volunteers, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Seussical Costume Kits for Volunteers, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

In all fairness, there are two important life experiences that gave me the talent and skill set to complete this project.

I have been on stage, backstage as crew and behind the scenes in theater performances all through High School and College. I LOVE the theater. My background helps me with the vision and special effects for costumes.

And as you know blog reader, I am a Consultant with my own company in Event Management, Joanne Klee JK Marketing and Event Management. My organizational skills and attention to detail are a big part of the business success. And fun!

Final photo to come....  

I couldn't have tackled this project without the help of some pretty amazing parents involved in the school and show. I created volunteer kits. YES these kits are time consuming to assemble. And you have this classic event planning moment: "I'll just do it myself." Of course you CAN do it... but SHOULD YOU do it all?

NO, don't do it all. You will be exhausted, and frustrated! Pinspiration is tremendous! But realize each project takes time, from minutes to hours. Include the shopping time, cutting, assembling, and all the steps in between. So NO - Don't do it all yourself. My costume kits took hours, but they also saved me DAYS! 

See more here on the final Costume Kits.

And here on the Final Costumes! 

~~~

From the Everyday to the Extraordinary...

Joanne

Posted by Joanne Kleé, 

Owner | Consultant

Joanne Klee Marketing & Events

Service Excellence | Detailed | One Stop Solutions

NEW! joannekleemarketing.com
joanne@joannekleemarketing.com 

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Inspirations for Seussical Costumes: Part II

More fun ideas for simple creative costumes!! Yes, it takes 1-2 night of googling ideas to find the right combinations of colors and costumes. But worth the search!

Grinchs hair and costume inspiration was simple and effective, the Wickershams were played by girls, and I loved the boyish charm of these costumes!

Sour Kangaroos actor came to me and said "my character needs to be sassy, and fun, and purple, and totally own it!" She put me on a mission to please her vision!!

I love the elegance of this Sour Kangaroo, her pouch and interesting ears.

More Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

I loved the EARS on this purple piece:

More Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

The WIckershams, ours are played by girls. But the Ears on these backwards caps really inspire. As do the clothes colors.


More Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.


Up close Wickersham Ears Alternative:

More Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

 Of course the Grinch. And while he is not the Star of the Seussical, every audience member will recognize this character. I loved this hair. And the T-Shirt inspired by the actual movie.

More Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Final photo to come.... 


Like these posts? SEE MORE at our New Blog Home JoanneKleeMarketing/Insights

I couldn't have tackled this project without the help of some pretty amazing parents involved in the school and show. I created volunteer kits. YES these kits are time consuming to assemble. And you have this classic event planning moment: "I'll just do it myself." Of course you CAN do it... but SHOULD YOU do it all?

NO, don't do it all. You will be exhausted, and frustrated! Pinspiration is tremendous! But realize each project takes time, from minutes to hours. Include the shopping time, cutting, assembling, and all the steps inbetween. So NO - Dont do it all yourself. My costume kits took hours, but they also saved me DAYS! 

See more here on the final Costume Kits.

And here on the Final Costumes! 

~~~

From the Everyday to the Extraordinary...

Joanne

Posted by Joanne Kleé, 

Owner | Consultant

Joanne Klee Marketing & Events

Service Excellence | Detailed | One Stop Solutions

NEW! joannekleemarketing.com
joanne@joannekleemarketing.com 

Come meet me where you are:Twitter | Facebook | WebSite | Blog

Google+ | Reviews | Linkedin 

Scribd Business Document Store

Content Copyright protected. Include a link to this post when Sharing or Quoting any aspect of this blog.

Inspirations for Seussical Costumes: Part I

These are some inspirational and PINspirational photos for the final costumes. Hortons Elephant ears, the actual Dr. Seuss Gertrude (which reminded me that she blooms 1-feather tail strand and not 10. Deviantart had nice ideas too.

Clearly, Mayzie - the redish bird - is sassy and experienced. Whereas Gertrude is simple and young.

Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Gertrude Ideas - short skirts, feathers and blue.

As Dr. Seuss intended her to look:
notice the single tail strand that blooms.

Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.



Horton the Elephant - Real Clothes is the inspiration for this piece.

Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Baby Elephant - oversized ears. All grey clothes.

Inspirational Images for Seussical Costumes, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Final Photos to follow.

I couldn't have tackled this project without the help of some pretty amazing parents involved in the school and show. I created volunteer kits. YES these kits are time consuming to assemble. And you have this classic event planning moment: "I'll just do it myself." Of course you CAN do it... but SHOULD YOU do it all?

NO, don't do it all. You will be exhausted, and frustrated! Pinspiration is tremendous! But realize each project takes time, from minutes to hours. Include the shopping time, cutting, assembling, and all the steps inbetween. So NO - Dont do it all yourself. My costume kits took hours, but they also saved me DAYS! 

See more here on the final Costume Kits.

And here on the Final Costumes! 

~~~

Service Excellence | Detailed | One Stop Solutions

Posted by Joanne Klee,
Consultant | Principal
JK Marketing and Events

Blog posts are here to help my clients get to know my management style and the advise they can see in action when we work together. Content Copyright protected. Include a link to this post when Sharing or Quoting any aspect of this blog. Thanks!

Seussical Original Costume Sketches

After looking at a bunch of image ideas online I sat down with paper amd sketched out my WHO ideas.  I kept these sketches in my costume book so I could show the kids the inspiration and colors for their costumes.

Seussical Original Costume Sketches, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Boys with suspenders and vests, girls have collars and aprons. Headbands with pipe cleaner ideas and decorations for them all.

"And you have this classic event planning moment: "I'll just do it myself." Of course you CAN do it... but SHOULD YOU do it all?"

Seussical Original Costume Sketches, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Sour Kangaroo was going to be a simple Elegant Pouch.
Similar to the Inspiration I posted here.

Seussical Original Costume Sketches, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

I sketched Mayzie in an elegant dress and Gertrude in a cute little girl dress. I didn't like all the skin exposure on most costumes I saw for Mayzie. It is still an elementary school performance.

Seussical Original Costume Sketches, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Hortons and Baby Elephants ears needed to be measured for correct placement. I made adjustments right on each student.

Seussical Original Costume Sketches, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

I couldn't have tackled this project without the help of some pretty amazing parents involved in the school and show. I created volunteer kits. YES these kits are time consuming to assemble. And you have this classic event planning moment: "I'll just do it myself." Of course you CAN do it... but SHOULD YOU do it all?

NO, don't do it all. You will be exhausted, and frustrated! Pinspiration is tremendous! But realize each project takes time, from minutes to hours. Include the shopping time, cutting, assembling, and all the steps inbetween. So NO - Dont do it all yourself. My costume kits took hours, but they also saved me DAYS! 

See more here on the final Costume Kits.

And here on the Final Costumes! 

~~~

Service Excellence | Detailed | One Stop Solutions

Posted by Joanne Klee,
Consultant | Principal
JK Marketing and Events

Blog posts are here to help my clients get to know my management style and the advise they can see in action when we work together. Content Copyright protected. Include a link to this post when Sharing or Quoting any aspect of this blog. Thanks!

Handmade Seussical Costumes - The Final Photos

One of my favorite parts was making the WHO costumes. First I sketched out the ideas, and then narrowed them to 4 color combinations: Yellow and Green, Purple and Orange.

There was NO WAY I would have been able to make all the suspenders, bow ties, neck ties, collars and aprons... It would have taken 12+ hours. So I used a trick from my event planning bag, KITS. I made kits with instructions and figure drawings, pre cut felt pieces for examples and excess fabrics and notions. With the schools permission I left a Seuss Pick Up Box in the Main Office or delivered kits to mom who signed up to help. We had over 30 volunteers to help assemble and decorate the kits!! Wow -- great support.

And you have this classic event planning moment: "I'll just do it myself." Of course you CAN do it... but SHOULD YOU do it all?

We made that happen.

I couldn't have tackled this project without the help of some pretty amazing parents involved in the school and show. I created volunteer kits. YES these kits are time consuming to assemble. And you have this classic event planning moment: "I'll just do it myself." Of course you CAN do it... but SHOULD YOU do it all?

NO, don't do it all. You will be exhausted, and frustrated! Pinspiration is tremendous! But realize each project takes time, from minutes to hours. Include the shopping time, cutting, assembling, and all the steps in between. So NO - Don't do it all yourself. My costume kits took hours, but they also saved me DAYS! 

See more here on the final Costume Kits.

And here on the Final Costumes! 

Seussical Costumes Homemade, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Seussical Costumes Homemade, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

The Headbands

Seussical Costumes Homemade, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

We made kits for WHO Suspenders, headbands made from pipecleaners, collars, aprons, neck and bow ties. Admittedly the shorts and skirts were some of the most crude sewing I have done. But their costumes, and as our High School costume queen said, it has to last and be durable for 2 days and look great!! My lesson learned, make costumes bigger and a few smaller pieces if you don't have a chance to measure the kids in advance!

That's me adjusting Horton's ears. Notice those striped arm covers? Yes, those are from Japan, since they use skin covers instead of sunscreen.

Seussical Costumes Homemade, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Mr. and Mrs. Mayor, upcycles from the Wizard of Oz costumes.

Seussical Costumes Homemade, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

Mayzie - I wish I had a shot of her on stage LIVING THE COSTUME. When she first put it on she shook her tush, and waved her hips!! She really owned the costume.

Seussical Costumes Homemade, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

The Bird Girls: These girls wanted their feather colors to culminate into Mayzie's tail colors. 

Seussical Costumes Homemade, a photo by APrincipalandWifeTravels on Flickr.

~~~

Service Excellence | Detailed | One Stop Solutions

Posted by Joanne Klee,
Consultant | Principal
JK Marketing and Events

Blog posts are here to help my clients get to know my management style and the advise they can see in action when we work together. Content Copyright protected. Include a link to this post when Sharing or Quoting any aspect of this blog. Thanks!