For this production, many physical and timing factors controlled how certain costumes were constructed and utilized. Many numbers throughout the show require rigorous movement for the choreography, meaning that most costumes needed to be breathable and mobile for the actors. With the school uniforms, we opted for cardigans as opposed to blazers for a multitude of reasons, the main factor being the physicality the actors could possess in them. Other characters featured in large dance numbers like "Loud" and "Telly" also needed lightweight costume pieces, which is why we chose mesh bodysuits with tank tops sewn in for our female salsa dancers and regular button-ups for our males, except for Rudolpho. Mrs. Wormwood spins out of a tearaway skirt to reveal a more athletic but bedazzled skirt to perform her big number with her partner in matching hot-pink fringe pants.
In terms of quick changes throughout the musical, time was not often on our side. Matilda experiences a share of changes from going into her school kid outfit for the first time to her change from her gym outfit into the uniform. However, our featured dancers experienced the fastest quick changes overall, as some members also played characters like Mrs. Phelps, the Acrobat, and the Escapologist. As the two characters from Matilda's story in the library, the Acrobat and Escapologist also required costumes fit for their physical stunts, like lifts and handstands.Â