In the summer of 1998 I went to a cookout in Jamaica Plain, a neighborhood in Boston, and met Diane Edgecomb, a storyteller and performance artist. Wearing big sunglasses and her petite hands going in all directions, she began telling me about a project she was dreaming about–twin Greek goddesses, fully costumed, roaming the Boston subway system and perhaps meeting up with a Minataur and maybe Athena and there should be masks and the audience should be involved in the experience. “Is this ANYTHING you’d be interested in costuming???” Cue muzak and little floating hearts above my head! I made all those costumes we talked about that day and along the way, made a great friend and collaborator.
[/fusion_imageframe]Over the years, I’ve made for Diane, Kurdish-inspired clothing; a costume that would “work” under a straightjacket and that she could hang upside down in; pants and belts… some with bug designs; and fun stuff for her audience (especially kids!) to “get in on the action”! From witches to wizards, a little Irishman (in a myriad of woolens) and countless others along the way, these characters have taught me about other cultures; they’ve reminded me that my work can be varied and fun; and they’ve allowed me to get to know this talented performer so well. This summer it was costume pieces to work with her Water Wizards show–whales, crabs and wizard-ry-ish stuff. It’s all been a whale of a time and I hope for more of it!
[/fusion_imageframe]Learn more about Diane and her performances for adults and children at her website Diane Edgecomb’s Living Myth
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