This roundtable series celebrates the artistry & vision of WoC designers w/in various disciplines w/ Set Designers Melanie May, Yuki Izumihara & Yvonne Johnson. Moderated by Tanya Orellana.

We asked three established BIPOC artists working in the classical theater – Franchelle Stewart Dorn, Clint Ramos, & Madeline Sayet – to introduce us to artists from their networks that we should know. Yvonne Johnson, Jacqueline Lawton, Tara Moses, Kenny Ramos, and Rudy Ramirez to come together for a round table discussion of the play.

Yvonne Johnson’s costumes do the trick from the very casual wear of most of the steel mill workers to the breakaway costumes of the strippers. My favorite bit of costuming is from the number “The " "Goods” when the women are dressed in the working gear of stereotypically masculine jobs to ogle/deride our wannabe strippers."

"Mrs. Soames, the town gossip, cleverly costumed by designer Johnson in garish attire (suggesting that she belongs to a higher social class)"

"Clothes tell a story & I love exploring that as a form of art"

"It’s always inspiring to be recognized for the hard work and passion you put into a craft you love"

"It’s also all about networking. No one is going to voluntarily come to you unless you’re already established. You need to speak up"

"I want a versatile career in costumes..."