Creating Tuacahn’s special brand of magic is no easy task. Hundreds of creative and technical professionals come together for each Broadway musical to create a unique, custom experience with an attention to detail that will take your breath away. In fact, three departments work together just to outfit the actors for the stage: the costume department, the wig and makeup department, and the craft shop!

What is a craft shop? Well, we’re glad you asked! The craft shop is in charge of animal costumes and masks, any dyeing or hand painting of fabric, and all the actors’ costume accessories, such as hats, jewelry, footwear, armor, and belts.

There’s no doubt that it’s a big job, so it’s lucky that Tuacahn’s craft shop is headed up by the talented Dr. Bret Harrell. Read on to learn a bit more about Bret!

1. How long have you worked at Tuacahn? 

I am starting my 4th year here.

2. What do you do for Tuacahn?

I am the Craft Shop Manager. We are in charge of building all the specialized costume pieces, like the Pure Imagination candy trees and peeps or the bug wings and hand painted unitards from Tarzan.

3. What is your favorite part of working at Tuacahn?

I love that every day is a new challenge. I might be embroidering chair covers for a choir or 3d-printing crowns for trolls or fabricating icicle capes and frozen armor. Tuacahn gives me the opportunity to really express myself as an artist.

4. What is your favorite show you’ve seen at Tuacahn?

My first show at Tuacahn was Beauty and the Beast. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

5. Something fun about you/something that people might not know.

I am a craft fabrication engineer with a BFA in Historic Restoration (Textiles), an MFA in Costume Design and Technology, and Doctoral Standing in Historical Research on the Evolution of European Masking. Last year I was a keynote speaker for the Outdoor Theater conference. I have received a Kennedy award in fabrication as an allied designer, been published as an expert in fabrication by USITT, and have had my fabrications displayed in the Smithsonian.

See Bret and the craft shop team’s creations come to life on our stage this summer! Get your Broadway tickets today!