Theatre Troupes Everywhere Can Take a Lesson from Chesapeake Shakespeare Company...

Tonight I have a meeting with the directors of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company to make some corsets for their next production, The Country Wife, and I just have to state for the record that working with this company has been a breath of fresh air. Too often in community- and regional-based theatre, the level of organization leaves much to be desired (and the level of drama leaves much less to be desired), but CSC is really breaking the mold. I had a script right away, no one changed their mind late in the game, and I felt like a respected member and friend of the company, not a slave girl to stage divas.

I really look forward to continuing a great working relationship with CSC, and I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we hope you'll plan on seeing The Country Wife! Check the CSC website (linked above) for details.

Design to Dollars Expo Tonight!

Hello, again!

Well, with a small business the networking never stops! Tonight I'll be showcasing my business and the studio at the Business After Business Design to Dollars Expo at the Howard County Center for the Arts. My favorite son-in-law, Patrick (also my only son-in-law) had the great idea of bringing in a sewing machine as part of the display, just to draw attention to the main focus of the business.

Speaking of sewing machines, I have a new sewing student, Kemani. For a beginner, he's picking things up very quickly -- his goal is to begin designing menswear. I think that's a great idea and it's exciting to help, since for the most part there is a shortage of stylish local male designers making clothes and accesories specifically for men.

Have a stylish day!

Sourcing@MAGIC Show Is Coming Up!

It seems no matter what I do or how hard I try, I cannot escape Las Vegas.


I know most people love the city, but to me it just seems more like an overgrown Chuck E. Cheese for adults -- just as loud and just as tacky. However, there's one thing I do like about Vegas and that is the amount of networking opportunities. I've been for a few conventions so far and was impressed at how professional and helpful they were.

Hopefully, the Sourcing@MAGIC show will be no exception. The fabulously-talented Anca will be accompanying me and together we're hoping to garner some national business. The show is August 25-27, and we couldn't be more excited!

Wish us luck!

Just a Reminder -- My Contact Info Has Changed!

Thanks to more than a little help from my fabulous web designer Jay Williams, I'm now operating under a new URL and email address.

www.sewingdesignstudio.com

marilynjohnson@sewingdesignstudio.com


Please be sure to update your records and keep in touch!

My Newest Student (sort of...)

I'm so pleased and excited to announce the birth of my first grandchild, Samantha Isabel Sharp! She was born April 29th at 6:38 PM, to my daughter Jessica and her wonderful husband Patrick.

Both of these pictures were taken in the hospital a few hours after she was born. Since then she has visited my studio a number of times and, at 5 weeks old, even "helped" sew a pair of pants (by sitting on my lap and making sure I did it right.) I can't wait until she's old enough to start teaching her how to sew, knit, crotchet and whatever else her little heart desires! And I'd like to thank my daughter for reminding me that I may be a grandma, but at least I'm a damn cool grandma.

A Good Review from the Baltimore Sun!

So, Mary Carole McCauley of the Baltimore Sun may have picked an awful day to take in the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's fantastic (in my opinion) production of "The Comedy of Errors", what with the 100+ degree heat and searing sun, but luckily costumes don't usually wilt in the summertime. She writes in her June 11th column:

"...Well, at least Marilyn Johnson's costumes are worth looking at. She adorns her characters in a fruit-flavored palette of banana, kiwi and tangerine; the fuchsia and lime wigs worn by the two leading ladies are particularly fetching. Johnson also makes clever use of hoop skirts, in particular, to indicate that a slender actress is supposed to be round."

To their credit, the actors were laboring in said 100+ heat, so it's no wonder they were a little flat. However, I'm very glad my costumes made such a good, stand-out impression on Ms. McCauley. Thank you, Baltimore Sun!

The Comedy of Errors

Performances: June 15, 21, 22, 27, 28, and July 6, 10 and 12 at Patapsco Female Institute, 3691 Sarahs Lane, Ellicott City. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays. Doubleheader on Saturday, June 28: The Comedy of Errors at 5 p.m., The Tempest at 8 p.m.

Parking: Free in the Howard County Courthouse lot on Court House Drive.

Tickets: 866-811-4111 or www.chesapeake shakespeare.com.

Information: 410-313-8874.