Meet the Phantom of the Opera Costume Crew

Much like the who works in synergy to create the set for ’s spring musical, , the costume design team is a group effort of parents and students.

Sophie Hesselgrave is a senior at BHS and co-leads a crew of five other students who will create the more than 400 costumes necessary to make Phantom of the Opera come to life on stage (co-leader Jamie Kazymercyk was out sick when Branford Patch visited). Past musicals have required about 250 costumes, but Phantom, explains Hesselgrave, has four major operas, which required multiple costume changes.

Hesselgrave has been apart of the costume crew for three years and said her favorite show so far has been Pirates of Penzance. “It was fun,” she said as she measured some peasant tops, “because they were pirates and we dressed them as, well, pirates!”

Hesselgrave said she, along with direction from Kim Santagata, 15-year-veteran of the costume committee, are referencing the Broadway production of Phantom as well as the movie for inspiration for the costuming.

Santagata first joined the BHS costume crew when her son Eric Santagata participated in the school’s performing arts program in 1995. She has never left.

Of all the musicals she has fitted, tailored and dressed, she said, “This may be the one that kills me but it may also be my favorite.”

Santagata depends on her “mom squad” who washes, irons and sews the costumes. “I can take this jumble from my brain and they seem to know what I am talking about,” said Santagata of her team of about 14 moms.

Though Santagata does not have any children still at BHS, she returns every year to help and lead the costume crew because she enjoys working with the student team. On a cold Saturday, with light rain falling, the student team led by Hesselgrave, organizes all the items needed to make each costume. They know their fellow students and speak-up when they’ve found the perfect outfit for a cast member. Sophmore Jolee Parolise said, “I used to come and watch the plays every year. I like it because we really get to see what’s going on.”

Meet Alex Acunzo, Branford High School Senior and Stage Manager for Phantom of the Opera in next Tuesday’s edition of Behind the Mask.