Commission work: the big reveal

Remember that commission I finished and delivered last month? I can finally show it to you. Et voilà!

Yes — there’s a very good reason the collages feature those enormous, Marie Antoinette-style wigs. Book-It Repertory Theatre’s most recent fundraising gala was called the Big Wig Blowout.” And guests were encouraged to wear a wig to the (online) milestone celebration. Book-It turns 30 this year.

Book-It Repertory Theatre’s founders: Myra Platt (left) and Jane Jones (right)

Founders Jane Jones and Myra Platt created Book-It to “[turn] great literature into great theater” to encourage people to read. Fortunately, the company’s kept several of their playbills, and my mission was to incorporate some into the collages. I had plenty of material to work with: eye-catching program covers, plus rehearsal photos and various images of Ms. Jones and Ms. Platt. Really, it was more a question of what not to use.

Elements of the commissioned collage piece

I couldn’t show you the collages earlier because this project was a farewell gift; the director-founders are retiring after three decades of leadership. Even though I don’t know them personally, that knowledge made this project a little bittersweet for me. Things are changing for Book-It.

But these are creative people: they’ve pivoted to go audio-only for next season’s productions, like a podcast for Book-It subscribers. Who knows — maybe I’ll listen while I’m working on someone else’s collage next year. If you’re considering a commissioned artwork of your own, email me or send me a direct message on Instagram. Could be a lot of fun!