THREADS | Woven

A series of four workshops led by West Midlands artist, Nilupa Yasmin who specialises in paper weaves based on personal and family history. Nilupa will work with four groups local to Stratford-upon-Avon, teaching them how to make weaves from both archival RSC images and personal images. 

Nilupa and previous RSC costume designer, Bretta Gerecke will then transform the weaves into a showstopping costume that will be displayed at the Costume Day on Friday 20 August when each group will also be invited back to see it.

Partner groups include, Stratford College Textile Students, Stratford Soroptomists, Stratford Girls Grammar School Drama Students and Welcome Here.

Nilupa Yasmin is an award-winning artist and educator. Working primarily in photography, Yasmin takes a keen interest in the notion of culture, self-identity and anthropology. The practice of weaving, passed down through inheritance, has become an integral part of her work. Continually drawing upon what it means to be a British Bangladeshi Muslim woman, she aims to create a space of representation for the underrepresented, through her photographic practise. Nilupa is a Visiting lecturer in Photography at Coventry University and a studio holder at Grand Union, Birmingham.

Oral Histories

Preserving the stories from the Costume Workshop, volunteers who have received industry standard training from the Oral History Society will record the accounts of Costume Workshop employees, past and present. Accounts are being recorded remotely from April-July. Accounts recorded so far include:

• Alistair McArthur, Head of Costume
• Lez Brotherston, Costume Designer
• Tom Piper, Theatre Designer
• Helen Hughes, Head of Costume Painting and Dyeing
• Alan Smith, Head of Costume, Props, Footwear and Armoury  

Community Engagement

Working with new community groups across Coventry and Warwickshire to deliver exciting sessions that link the RSC’s costume heritage to local groups own interests. Sessions and activities include; Tie-Dye Bunting made using natural dye, Photography on Stage Then and Now, Reminiscence Boxes and Floral Print Workshops.

These sessions aim to work with groups who are new to the RSC or may find it difficult to access us. If you run a group who may be interested in a session, get in touch at threads@rsc.org.uk