Theater explores different facets of love in 'Intimate Apparel'

November 12, 2024 (Volume 48, Number 6)
Article by Annie Pettit

two cast members in dresses stand on stage, a sewing machine in a desk is in the foreground

Members of the 'Intimate Apparel' cast rehearse in the Haas Center for Performing Arts. The production runs November 15-24.

Grand Valley’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance is bringing a unique story to campus with its production of “Intimate Apparel.”

The performances are on November 15, 16 and 21-23 at 7:30 p.m., and November 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. All shows are at the Haas Center for Performing Arts. Tickets are available online.

This is director Demetria Thomas’ third production. The assistant professor of theater described how “Intimate Apparel” tells a story that is not often explored at the university.

“Intimate Apparel is a story about a young Black woman in turn of the century New York, who is 35 years old, single and will do almost anything for love,” Thomas said. “She has a few strong friendships, but when the opportunity for love arrives she drops everything just for this luxury.”

Thomas highlighted how vital dialogue is for character-focused productions like this. “This show is very simple and its language is what’s most important,” Thomas said. “We aren’t doing anything fancy with the set design because we wanted to emphasize the words being spoken.”

For fifth-year theater major Reette Thorns, her role as Mayme has given her the opportunity to play a character that many young people can relate to.

“Acting as Mayme has taught me that everyone deserves love, and I hope that there is at least one person in the audience who will be able to relate and connect to that point of view,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the opening night of the show; it’s going to be electric!”