Written by Joe Scioli
Meet Bradley Pesarchick! He's from Bellevue, Nebraska, and currently serves as the costume coordinator at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Bradley enjoys dying fabric, sewing, and altering clothes. What makes him stand out from others, he likes doing laundry and getting stains out of clothes (can you believe that?). He also enjoys watching television and movies (especially musicals).
Bradley's experience with the Theater Tech Apprentice Program (TTAP) helped him earn his fabulous job as costume coordinator for the hottest shows in town. Through TTAP, Bradley was given insight into the technical careers of the entertainment industry through a blend of classroom and hands-on shop training. TTAP trains its trainees in the following areas: box office, carpentry, costuming, electrics and sound, props, scenic painting, and stage management.
Bradley's love of theater developed in high school at Bellevue East. He worked as a lighting and sound tech and worked on costumes for many musicals such as Our Town and Honk the Musical.
After high school, Bradley applied for TTAP. He was attracted to the program because he knew he would receive training in a variety of theater areas, and he was not sure what aspect of theater he liked the most.
Bradley was accepted into the TTAP program. During his first year, he learned about stage management, electrics, and costuming. He also learned about paints and props. Training in these areas made him realize he was meant for costuming.
The TTAP program provided Bradley with an amazing learning experience. For example, Bradley learned how to wash and care for costumes properly. Although Bradley knew how to sew, TTAP taught him many skills he could bring to other jobs. When he worked on costumes for Papillion-LaVista Community Theater's summer musicals, Bradley helped them implement a schedule for fittings, organize wardrobes, and launder costumes. He also learned how to teach a person wearing a wig to properly put it on their head and how to keep the wig on during a performance.
Although Bradley worked with so many different, talented people in TTAP, he especially loved working with the costume director, Lindsay Pape. Bradley said she is an amazing teacher for many reasons. She taught Bradley the importance of making the actor/actress feel like the costume is made for them. Lindsay gave Bradley many opportunities and much responsibility. For example, Lindsay tasked Bradley with making the dancing dolls costumes after a redesign for the Christmas Carol. Bradley worked hard on this creation and felt he earned Lindsay's respect upon completing this important project.
Bradley's participation in TTAP gave him the necessary skills to excel in his job as the costume coordinator at the Playhouse. He learned many skills at TTAP that prepared him for this job. TTAP improved his ability to sew, fit and store fabric. TTAP allowed Bradley to meet and build strong relationships with leaders in Omaha theater.
What's next for Bradley? Bradley is incredibly excited to be designing costumes for the Playhouse's upcoming show, Little Shop of Horrors. Our community is fortunate to have Bradley costuming our actors and actresses, and we cannot wait to see his creations next season!
Interested in
learning more about TTAP? Contact the Theatre Technology Apprenticeship
Director by email at ttap@omahaplayhouse.com
or phone at (402) 661-8518.
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