Among the cast and crew preparing for this month�s production of "The Country Wife" at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are 30 student designers and technicians involved with constructing costumes, wigs and accessories for a large roster of actors.

Under the guiding hand of head designer Susan Sherwin, assistant professor of theatre and dance, the students are producing costumes for about 20 actors appearing in the Restoration Period (late 1600s) comedy by William Wycherley, directed by Department of Theatre and Dance Chair Ken Risch. Professor Stephen Sherwin is the set designer and Carcheri Gingrasso, senior theatre arts major from Stevens Point, is the lighting designer.

The play opens at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, continues at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, and Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26 � 28, and at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22 in Jenkins Theatre of the Fine Arts Center. Individual tickets are $12 for the general public, $11 for seniors and $7 for youths. Individual tickets can be purchased the day of the show if the performance is not sold out in advance. Tickets are available at the UWSP Box Office, Room 103A University Center, 715-346-4100 or 800-838-3378, online at https://tickets.uwsp.edu/Wt3/..

Individual tickets for students with a valid UWSP ID are $3 in advance or free on the day of the event (or on Friday for weekend events) if tickets remain. Free tickets also may be picked up at the theatre from one hour to one half hour before curtain time if seats are still available.

"The Country Wife is a comedy of wit with elements of satire. While it clearly exposes a society obsessed with power, possession and appearance, it uses that world to explore a darker and more potentially universal theme. As amusing as it is, it presents an uncompromising view of a world not unlike our own," Risch said.

Creating the Restoration Period clothing for 20 actors presented quite a challenge for Sherwin and her costume, make-up and crafts students. Periwigs, high heels and waistcoats with hundreds of buttons (and buttonholes) were the male outfits of the day. Women wore corsets, dresses with huge gathered skirts, tight bodices and fancy small hats called fontages.

Sherwin searched far and wide for some of the needed items including purchasing cowboy boots (right) on E-Bay. Cut down, with stacked heels added, the boots make wonderful men�s period shoes. Hundreds of buttons were bought at discount from a local fabric store. Purchasing both synthetic and real hair, dyeing and constructing the wigs was a creative challenge for Sherwin and her students.

The designer�s philosophy and that of the department is to foster a well-rounded graduate that can take a production from A to Z and know how to do just about everything in between.

For example, Sarah Dallman a senior from Reedsburg, who will attend graduate school in the fall, designed a beautiful lace fontage for one of the female characters, decorated with flowers and butterflies. She hopes to eventually work as a technician who drafts, cuts and constructs costumes. She served a professional internship in her field with the Cedar City Utah Shakespeare Festival last summer.

Actor Brenna Padesky of La Crosse, a junior drama major, who will play Biddy Squeamish, is making her own wide-skirted dress. She says it�s easier to do her own fittings and preparing her costume also helps prepare her for the role.

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sclanton/vc/Country Wife