The Grinch delights as one of the Children’s Theatre Company’s annual productions. Photo: Glen Stubbe Photography
Step into the world of costume design and see how garments tell the story on stage.
Audience members file into the UnitedHealth Group Stage auditorium, anxiously and excitedly awaiting the start of a show—one with live actors, delightful music and a colorful stage. But most audience members who sit on the plush red velvet-covered chairs are unaware of the amount of tireless work it takes to put on theatrical productions. Yes, there are the rehearsals—but also thought and consideration goes into the lighting, creation of props and organization of the entire cast. For one former Woodbury resident, the behind-the-scenes work is not only her day-to-day job, but her favorite place in the theater.
Emily Jannusch remembers visiting Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) as a child but never made a connection between the art of theater and a career path until she enrolled in a set design course at Century College. While studying at Century, a production of Cabaret was underway, and the crew needed help with costumes. Jannusch harnessed the sewing skills taught to her by mother, Wendy, and grandmother, Winnie, and got to work, jumping in wherever help was needed to ensure the show went on. These initial introductions were instrumental to her future, as she then went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota with a degree in theater.
The Lorax (2018) is one of Emily Jannusch’s favorite productions to have worked on at the Children’s Theatre Company. Photos: Dan Norman
After college, Jannusch interned with the Minnesota Children’s Museum, helping at the box office. “It felt really gratifying and fun to do things for kids,” Jannusch says. “It’s more magical.” So when she was offered a position at CTC in fall 2014, where she could merge her passion for theater and her admiration for kids, Jannusch took on the wardrobe swing role. “It was a happy accident because I like stitching and sewing, but working with the actors behind the stage is really fun and action-packed,” Jannusch says.
Costume director Amy Kitzhaber first worked with Jannusch in 2018 on I Come From Arizona and was instantly impressed by her varied skill set. “Emily is extremely talented as a stitcher in addition to her amazing wardrobe skills,” she says. “She has an incredible depth of talent in costuming. And she also has beautiful carpentry skills for when she does overhire work in the Prop Shop.” Given her expansive reach at CTC and the impact on many aspects of each show, Jannusch is considered a jack of all trades.
The Lorax (2018) is one of Emily Jannusch’s favorite productions to have worked on at the Children’s Theatre Company.
With the current season in full swing, the cast and crew are hard at work to make every show a success. For Jannusch, that means her work may consist of fluffing and folding laundry or making repairs on the many countless costumes—but more often than not, she’s part of the well-oiled machine behind the stage that keeps the show running smoothly. Her role is often “helping actors get into costumes, wigs, makeup,” she says. “Prep for wardrobe is like a puzzle. Who gets into which costume, at what time and speed and where? The quick changes are what make it action-packed, like a choreographed dance.” The uniqueness and multitude of each show, and the various stages within the theater, all contribute to the speed-puzzling that Jannusch contributes to day-in and day-out.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea circa 2015.
With each performance, she remembers that theater is more than just entertainment. Each show has the potential to teach young minds important lessons. “Creating stylized period costumes, modern or fantastical costumes can help young audiences learn about different eras and cultures (real or imagined) through visual representation,” Kitzhaber says. Not only does costuming lend itself as an education tool, it is wildly creative, detailed and imaginative.
An avid theater-goer and now staff member at CTC, Jannusch still points to The Lorax as one of her all-time favorite shows. “My dad used to read the book to me every night as a kid,” she says. “It was sweet to work on and see it as a full-circle moment.” In addition, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was a challenging yet rewarding show, given the logistics of bringing audience members through the basement of the theater, which served as the submarine for this experiential show. And of course, The Grinch will always be a fan-favorite, coming back to CTC on repeat to bring holiday cheer to the Twin Cities.
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