Calgary playwright is seeking donations of used wedding dresses for his new show

The one-woman cabaret, Casemore says, is also a real-time auction that explores weddings, the wedding industry, and the simple question: what do you do with a used wedding dress?

“We’ll be using the donated gown to actually create the set for the show, as well as feature it in several other areas,” Casemore said. Home Stretch on Wednesday.

“So, since sustainability and zero waste are big priorities for us, we asked the public if they would be willing to reuse their dresses for theatrical wonders.”

Set of pieces, design elements

Production was looking for a delicately used wedding gown of various sizes, and ideally in a white, off-white and blush color scheme.

And so that there are no misunderstandings, the ex-bride should know in advance that it will be a full donation.

“The dresses will be used in a variety of different ways,” she said.

“Some of them will remain intact. Some of them will turn into set pieces and design elements, and some of them will be used in more interesting and mysterious ways throughout the show.”

The show looked at the different dresses, and the stories behind them and the women who donated them, Casemore said.

“And use it to have a really fun theatrical night, see the wild world of weddings, which I think everyone can participate in,” he said.

Emotional thing

On how people reacted when they parted ways with their wedding dresses, Casemore said she was surprised by how varied the dresses were.

“We’ve had people happily shove it at our doorstep and say, ‘You know, do whatever you want with it. Hit it with a car,'” Casemore said.

“And then other people, you know, have really beautiful emotional reactions.”

So far, the wedding dress donation includes her own.

For her, the experience of donating was exciting but emotional, Casemore said. Parting with him was nothing.

“I truly believe in what it is to find purpose, and give some meaningful home to this dress,” she said.

“You know, it’s been sitting in the box for over 10 years and it was quite an emotional thing to sort of drag the old girl out and see how she holds up.”

To arrange a wedding dress donation, or for more information, contact the Alberta Theater Project at 403-294-7475, ext. 1098.

Undressed will run from January 26 to February 13 at the Martha Cohen Theatre.