Kathleen Embrey

These Shining Lives

Temple University 2018

Director: Elizabeth Carlson-Guerin

Costume Design: Kathleen Embrey

Scenic Design: Fred M. Duer

Lighting Design: Akira Belton-Edwards

Photo: Mark Garvin

These Shining Lives tells the story of the Radium dial painters of the early 20th century. Their story is told through a fictional cast of four women as they gain employment painting watch dials with paint that contains radium, and feel its effects as they fight the company that poisoned them. This was a wonderful show to work on as it had a majority female design team, in a story that champions strong female characters.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Temple University 2018

Director: Lynne Innerst

Costume Design: Kathleen Embrey

Scenic Design: Jonathan Mesich

Lighting Design: Ryan Dent

Photo: Mark Garvin

In this telling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the story took place in a bed-like dream atmosphere. The scenic and lighting design took the audience to a psychedelic space, while the all white and beige costumes kept the characters grounded in a realistic, yet stylized setting.

Waiting for Rain

Temple University 2018

Writer: Mark Costello

Director: Amy Blumberg

Costume Design: Kathleen Embrey

Scenic and Lighting Design: Dustin Pettigrew

Photo: Mark Garvin

Waiting for Rain was a new work written by Temple MFA playwright candidate Mark Costello and was the directing capstone for MFA directing candidate Amy Blumberg. The two person show told the love story of Philadelphia couple Ryan and Jenna as they grow as individuals. Working with Hannah, the actress portraying Jenna, was a great learning experience on how to design for seated bodies, as well as those that have circulation and mobility needs.

Webster University Dance Ensemble

The Conservatory of Theatre Arts, 2017

Choreographer: Heather Sultz

Costume Design: Kathleen Embrey

Lighting Design: Josh Murphy

Photo: Eric Woolsey

This dance piece told the story of human communication among different groups. The piece culminated in a final pose that revealed the seemingly confusing symbols to reveal a river that connected all of the dancers. I was able to construct and pattern all 8 unitards, which was a great learning experience as it was my first dance experience.

The Glorious Ones

Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University 2016

Director: Quin Gresham

Costume Design: Kathleen Embrey

Hair and Makeup Design: Will Vicari

Scenic Design: Jordan LaMangna

Lighting Design: Aria Grosvenor

Photo: Eric Woosley

This musical comedy told the story of a commedia dell’arte troupe as they rose to fame and beyond. We build a number of pieces, including hats and custom masks inspired my mid-century comedy characters such as Lucille Ball and Groucho Marx.

Shotgun

Webster Conservatory 2015

Director: Melissa Maxwell

Costume Design: Kathleen Embrey

Hair and Makeup Design: Abigail Noel

Scenic Design: Nichole Nelson

Lighting Design: Caleb Taylor

Photo: Kara Overlien

Shotgun takes place in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It tells the story of two families who share living space and must learn to navigate a new world.