Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest, Jarod Lewis, manager of the costume shop, New York City Ballet.

In this episode of Dance Talk, Joanne Carey continues her conversation with Jarod Lewis, the manager of the New York City Ballet Costume Shop. They delve into the intricate world of costume design, particularly focusing on the beloved Nutcracker ballet.

Jarod shares insights into the preparation for the Nutcracker season, the longevity and craftsmanship of costumes, and the historical significance of certain pieces. The discussion highlights the importance of documenting the work of costume makers and the collaborative effort behind each performance. Jarod also showcases various costumes, emphasizing the attention to detail and the artistry involved in their creation.

In this engaging conversation, Joanne Carey and Jarod delve into the intricate world of costume design and reconstruction. They explore the meticulous process of maintaining and rebuilding costumes, the importance of communication between dancers and costume makers, and the essential tools and techniques used in the costume shop. The discussion highlights the blend of artistry and engineering that goes into creating costumes that not only look beautiful but also function effectively on stage. Jarod shares insights into the science behind fabric manipulation and the significance of understanding the dancer's needs during fittings, emphasizing the collaborative nature of costume design.

Jarod Lewis, has been the Costume Shop Manager of the NYC Ballet since 2021 where he works alongside the Director of Costumes, Marc Happel, to lead the Costume Shop towards creating the costumes for new ballets and the refurbishments and rebuilds of existing works. During his time at NYCB Jarod and his team of 16 artisans have created 18 world premiere ballets and are preparing for 3 more for this coming Fall and Winter seasons. Before working at NYC Ballet Jarod was the Assistant Designer and Shop Manager at Halsey Onstage, a costume production company in Chicago, IL. There Jarod worked alongside the late Travis Halsey to create over 250 custom costumes that have been worn on stages such as Sea World San Antonio, Papermill Playhouse, Houston Ballet, Vero Beach Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and for YAGP. They also created costumes that have been worn in various ballets, musicals, tv shows, and operas across Canada, Australia, and France.  

Before beginning his career in costuming, Jarod grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky where he began his journey working in the performing arts by receiving his BA in Music at Morehead State University and continued education of Music Production and Technical Theatre at Troy University. Jarod has performed with various music groups on stages such as Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra in Pensacola, FL, and on an international orchestra and percussion ensemble tour in Beijing and Tianjin, China. Alongside Jarod’s music career he also worked as a freelance recording engineer and the audio engineer in the marching arts with two Drum and Bugle Corps; The Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets from San Jose, California and The Cavaliers from Chicago, IL

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“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey 

"Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."