Magic, done with needle and thread

By Terry Sandford
MIDDLETOWN — If you recently saw The Acting Out Playhouse musical production of Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach JR." at SUNY Orange, you not only saw some of the most talented young actors our area has to offer, you also saw the most original and beautiful costumes.
They were created by Yvonne Bel-Blatt.
In 2012, Bel-Blatt signed her two daughters up for The Acting Out Playhouse two- week summer camp in Warwick.
At the parent meeting on the first day of camp, director Terry Odell asked for any volunteers who knew how to sew and would be able to help alter some costumes that were purchased for the show.
Bel-Blatt, a retired New York City Police lieutenant living in Washingtonville, decided to help and has been with the Acting Out Playhouse ever since.

Two months' notice

Odell gives Bel-Blatt at least two months’ notice so she can take her time planning the costumes.
“The design process for a production begins as soon as Terry Odell tells me which play she wants to do,” Bel-Blatt said. “Creating the costumes and puppets for a fantasy-based production is my favorite, because creativity is only limited by one’s own imagination.”
The story of “James and the Giant Peach” revolves around James and five friends who travel with him inside a giant peach.
In Act I, the five friends - a ladybug, centipede, earthworm, grasshopper and spider - begin as fanciful puppets.
In Act II, these characters transform into actual insects resembling humans.
Bel-Blatt wanted to make it obvious to the audience who each human character was with lots of color and visual interest. As a result, the costumes replicate the tone and color of the puppets.
Additionally, she created costumes for the two wicked aunts, many colorful characters involved in the story - and the six-foot shark.

Research, then inspiration

Bel-Blatt said it took about a week to envision what she wanted to create as far as puppets and costumes for this production. She researched by reading the Roald Dahl book, watched the Disney movie and viewed past stage productions of the show on the Internet for inspiration.
She admired the creativity of everything she saw, but then went her own way.
The grasshopper was the first puppet she created. Bel-Blatt started with his head and eyes, which accompanied her while making the rest of him.
Then she made his friends, which took about two months from start to finish.
Her puppets are made from a variety of materials, such as foam, wire, fleece and contact cement.
Bel-Blatt embellishes with fur, feathers and anything she can think of to make them come to life.
Mostly Bel-Blatt works alone, mainly because the work is so specific.
She does recruit her family to help though when she needs to make 20 of a certain costume, such as the workhouse children in “Oliver.”
She makes the first costume; and then her sister, niece and daughter help with the rest.

The joy of children in costume

When beginning a new production, Bel-Blatt is responsible for envisioning and creating every piece of clothing, including all of the accessories.
“The prop room in Orange Hall Theatre at SUNY Orange is stocked with lots of things to choose from," she said. "Also, after ten years of amazing productions by the Acting Out Playhouse, there is quite a collection of shoes, hats, accessories and costumes at my disposal,."
The six foot-shark she made for “James and the Giant Peach JR.” is the largest puppet/costume Bel-Blatt has ever made, and the most difficult and time consuming so far.
The Acting Out Playhouse annually conducts two summer camps.
Once the camp with older students ends,Odell begins the second camp with younger students.
Each camp concludes with two performances.
Bel-Blatt said she feels she gets better at altering the costumes for the younger kids every year. She also tries hard to use everything she made or purchased for the first camp’s production. If a child playing the same character is much smaller and she can’t make it fit, she will make a brand new costume.
“The thing I enjoy most about being a costume designer is the joy it brings to the children who wear them," Bel-Blatt said. "It helps them get into character and have fun with it as well. The other thrill is to envision something and see it become a reality.”

If you go

The Young Kids Camp will perform “James and the Giant Peach JR.” on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee held at 3 p.m. on Aug. 14.
A cast of 20 sparkling young performers from around the Orange County will be wearing and operating Bel-Blatt’s colorful and unique costumes and puppets.
Ticket prices are $15, small children on laps are free.
You can order tickets by going to www.theactingoutplayhouse.net or at the box office.