Taking a walk in Claudia's shoes (literally)

Claudia's costume is where the transformation happens; a costume is named so to indicate that the clothes an actor is wearing are there for 'dressing up' purposes as they exist as another being for however long they are on stage. Claudia's clothing does this for me; and where else to start but with the red shoes. The picture included here are not of the shoes I will be wearing, nor any shoes I believe Claudia would have in her wardrobe, but instead are a very famous pair from 'The Wizard of Oz'. When talking about the power of red shoes you need look no further than this comparison as it holds many of the same explanations as to the power of red shoes. Dorothy's shoes transport her and my shoes transport me- the magical transformation device taking me from a rehearsal room to a cooperate world of business. Walking in the shoes changes a lot about me: my posture, my walk, the way I stand and so using them in the rehearsal room is key so as to connect with them as they become an extension of my foot. Rebecca was described in the New York Times as a dominating figure of business strutting all over the word in 'stiletto heels' and Claudia Roe will be doing just that all across the world we are creating.

The clothing is also a big part of getting into her character because it is a very bold statement and it requires a certain kind of person to pull it off and therefore I have to push everything about her character to literally and metaphorically fill the clothes. Myself and Claudia clearly do not share the same taste in style; a shoulder padded short red dress, leather trousers with a red leotard and an extravagant funeral hat are nowhere to be found in my personal wardrobe. However I think the polar opposite nature of our style helps me. To put this character onstage is daunting, to do as myself is wrong, so to have a costume which allows me to shake off any excess 'olivianess' that I have is essential when I am building a character such as hers.

In the costume parade, when I walked into the workroom wearing my 3 different outfits, there was an audible reception for each which made me a little embarrassed. However things like that are the kind of thing I need to start embracing. A costume is a visual aid to help the audience enter this new realm of business and finance and Claudia's look is one that is made for the soul purpose of standing out. If I am able to work with that I believe a lot of my other insecurities will drift away- when I look in the mirror wearing these outfits, it's not me I see, which means the women onstage is not either giving me the armour I need to be bulletproof against all the nagging doubts I have. The outfit has allowed me to feel like this women the most I ever have so far in this process, so adapting to it and knowing how to work it, will make her come to life.