Story and Photos by Marcie Giovannoni 
For the past three weeks, a hidden gem of Eugene’s culture has been on display at the Springfield Museum in the quaint downtown of Springfield, Oregon.
A small fraction of the Eugene Ballet Company’s costumes from many of their major productions were on display in the front room of the museum, giving the public a chance to personally view the costumes, rather than just from the audience.
Numerous breathtaking tutus, leotards, and costumes lined the walls and mannequins around the room were adorned with masks and dresses. Pictures of the costumes from the actual productions were featured and video footage of those productions played from a wall-mounted television; bringing life and movement to the costumes.
The Eugene Ballet Company has produced over 100 ballet productions, such as Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Princess and the Pea, and Swan Lake. Because each ballet requires its own costuming, the company’s various productions have resulted in an intricate and fantasy-like wardrobe of approximately 2,000 costumes. The exhibit itself was a rare opportunity to take a peek into the world-renowned ballet company’s extensive collection of attire. Personally, I felt as though it was like walking into a closet and all I wanted to do is play “dress-up.” The entire experience was exceptionally nostalgic being surrounded by tutus, princess-like dresses, and costumes from ballet productions of many childhood favorites such as Peter Pan, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Alice in Wonderland.
Although a majority of the costumes, headpieces, and masks were off-limits, there was a children’s corner where kids could try on several masks called the “Ballet Bugs.”
With the more hands-on feel, it allows one to take a closer look at not only the costumes, but also the exceptional attention to detail and elaborate handcrafted details and décor. The handiwork, patience, and creativity that have gone into the costumes are absolutely unfathomable.
 
 
 
 

Gallery • 2 Photos

Abby Sun

Costumes and props of Ballet performance Peter Pan are displaying in Ballet Exhibition at Springfield Museum.