Milliner Leslie Norgate will oversee creation of dozens of elaborate hats and headpieces
- Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Love Lies Bleeding costume build in this article from the summer 2010 issue of Inspired.
Love Lies Bleeding costume designer Martine Bertrand (left) with master milliner Leslie Norgate in The Banff Centre's costume shop.
With a generous gift to The Banff Centre’s theatre production, design, and stage management programs, donor Andrea Brussa’s support will enhance the stage presence of Alberta Ballet’s highly anticipated new work, Love Lies Bleeding, set to original songs and music by Elton John. Through the Andrea Brussa Master Artist Endowment Fund, theatrical milliner Leslie Norgate is at The Banff Centre to guide creation of dozens of specialty hats and headpieces for the ballet, which will premiere in Calgary on May 6.
The Banff Centre’s wardrobe department, under the directorship of Denise Gingrich, is collaborating with Alberta Ballet for the large-scale costume build, a project that will bring in wardrobe technicians and apprentices from across Canada, to transform the work ofLove Lies Bleeding costume designer Martine Bertrand into a stage full of elaborate costumes. As part of the build, Leslie Norgate will provide key guidance to milliners working on the show.
Based in Toronto, Norgate has worked as a milliner for countless theatre, opera, dance, and film productions. Her work has been seen in performances by the National Ballet of Canada, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, the Canadian Opera Company, the Metropolitan Opera, American Ballet Theatre, Mirvish Productions, the Shaw Festival, and many more.
The Andrea Brussa Master Artist Endowment was established in 2007 by philanthropist Andrea Brussa, who has long had an interest in support for the arts, and in particular in assisting young emerging artists in theatrical trades.
Andrea Brussa was born in Montreal and began ballet lessons at age four after seeing a performance of The Nutcracker. She has had a lifelong interest in dance, music, and costuming, and moved to Banff to pursue her love of the outdoors. Dividing her time between Banff and Calgary, Brussa is a partner in the successful Calgary restaurant Centini, and as a philanthropist, she supports many arts and social organizations in Alberta, including The Banff Centre, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Calgary Opera, Alberta Ballet, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, the Calgary Health Trust, and the Calgary Zoo. “The arts are an integral part of the culture, economy and quality of life for each of us now and in perpetuity,” she says. “The Banff Centre is essential in furthering these interests for Alberta, Canada and the world. I am honoured to contribute to the Banff Centre and be a part of their vision.”
Her gift has supported participation in the Centre’s Theatre Production, Design, and Stage Management programs by master artists including costume designer Jean Lamprell, who brought with her the heritage craft of cutting and creating net tutus, and London-based theatrical milliner Jenny Adey. The programs allow The Banff Centre to enhance training in many of the more intricate theatrical arts.
