Westword: How did you get involved in the Arvada Center's production of Hairspray?
Mondo Guerra: I was a stitcher and a crafter at the Arvada Center for five years before all the Project Runway stuff. I told Rod I was interested in designing a show. When Hairspray came up, both Rod an I felt like it was a perfect fit for my aesthetic. In the beginning, I thought I might have bit off more than I could chew, but with the help of all the wonderful ladies down in the costume shop, this wacky dream has become a colorful reality.
WW: What are the challenges in designing costumes, as opposed to designing couture?MG: Function! On the stage, the actors are dancing, doing twenty-second quick changes. It gets very technical making everything actor-friendly. For runway, it's all about fit and the look, not necessarily comfort.
WW: Is this something you'd like to continue doing, or is it a one-time thing?
MG: It's another creative endeavor down in the books. I loved seeing it come together and progress into this beautiful piece of art. Who knows if I'll do costumes for stage again...we'll see.
WW: Do you have any favorite Hairspray creations?
MG: I don't want to give anything away! You'll have to come and see the show. But, I will tell you that if you're a fan of John Waters, then you'll definitely be pleasantly surprised with some of the costumes!
WW: What's coming up next for you?
MG: What's next!? What's not next?
How do the costumes hold up? Judge for yourself:
Hairspray continues at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Booulevard, daily except Mondays, through July 17; for tickets, $49 to $63, visit the website. And we leave you with another tease:
