Sarah Liebowitz
A&E Editor
svl1010@plymouth.edu
Plymouth State’s theater department is introducing a new laundry major. The department currently offers five options for theater majors: acting, dramatic writing, music theater performance, theatrical design-tech, and contract option.The laundry major will become available next fall.
“Costumes have to be washed after every show,”said Stella Kowalski, acting major. “The people washing the costumes are some of the most important and least recognized people on the crew.”
In the past, laundry has been taken care of by wardrobe as part of practicum. Practicum is a one to two credit assignment required for all theater majors and minors.
“The wardrobe people are great, but there’s definitely a need for a specialization,”said Kowalski. “Washing costumes is tricky. It’s not like washing regular clothes. Sometimes they have crazy pieces made of metal or plastic, or fragile hand stitching. You want that handled by a professional.”
The new laundry major requires some of the same classes as other theater majors. “It’s important for students to understand all aspects of the theater,” said Maul Proczka, chair of the MTD department. Classes will have a focus on costuming, with some classes created specifically for the major.
“I’m really excited to be teaching Irony of Ironing next spring,” said Dánéé Pillow, costume shop manager. “We’ll start with cloth napkins, and work our way up to three piece suits.”
George Spelvin, a first-year designtech major, said he wants to switch to the laundry major. “I did a wardrobe practicum for ‘The Wedding Singer’ last semester, and fell in love with it,” he said. “I love the smell of clean laundry. I knew then that this is what I want to do for a career.”
Spelivin said that laundry is a great way to be involved in theater, and still be able to support yourself. “It’s really hard to get acting jobs,” he said, “but everyone needs someone to wash the costumes. This new major will really give me the skills I need to succeed in the workplace.” The major will give Plymouth State students a leg up in the job market. “Theaters want to hire laundry people who have experience,” said Proczka. “This major will make our students some of the best washerwomen and men in the state.”
Students interested in the major should visit the Registrar’s Office in the Speare Building for more information.
COURTESY PHOTO
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