With shows cancelled this semester, members of theatre faculty at NMU along with their spouses are putting their skills to good use. A stage show at NMU requires more than acting and music, it requires costuming, and costuming requires the ability to sew. Likewise, flattening the curve requires social-distancing and the wearing of masks. Creating masks requires the ability to sew them. Enter professor Shelley Russell, adjunct-instructor and seamstress Ann Juidici, Em Rossi and Keli Truckey.

Professor Russell said that they had been making some masks for friends and family members when Director of Theatre, Bill Digneit reached out to the staff about organizing their efforts to sew masks for health care workers. According to Russell, that’s when the sewing machines really got humming. “We have gotten a lot of fabric donations from community members, and this seemed like a great way to put some of it to use. Since we’re on hold to make costumes and scenery for shows, we figured the fabric and our sewing machines could be put to use in a way that would make us all feel a little more connected to those who are on the front lines, and it’s a cool way to stay productive at home,” said Russell.

Ann Juidici is a highly skilled seamstress who also manages the costume shop at NMU as an adjunct instructor. “It’s been about a month now, and that’s all I’ve been doing. I was concerned about what I would do with all my time, but I’ve been busy with these masks.” Even though Juidici and her theatre colleagues are making the masks independently at their respective homes, she feels a connection with them and the thousands of other people across the country who are making masks. “It just shows how people are using their talents and abilities. This is a movement that’s across the United States. It’s absolutely wonderful. And I know there’s a lot of people making them for the hospitals and nursing homes whoever needs them,” said Juidici.

Em Rossi is new to the community, but she has years of experience as a theatre costume designer and seamstress. Her husband, Lex van Blommestein joined the NMU theatre faculty this past year as an assistant professor. “I had joined a Facebook group, the Relief Crafters of America, which was, and still is, connecting mask makers with healthcare providers across the country. Because I was planning to sew for them, I had read a lot of their information regarding preferred materials and strap styles. So, when Bill asked if we could make some masks, I was able to pass on patterns and information from that group,” said Rossi. She also added that having the season canceled has freed up her husband Lex to watch their children. He also cuts fabric for her while she sews the masks.

While Professor Paul Truckey normally takes center stage in theatre productions, his wife Keli is one of the key cast members in this mask making effort. “As we carefully move forward into a ‘novel normal,’ where the wearing of masks within the community may be a thing of necessity for some time…it has brought me some satisfaction during the many hours of isolation to make something that may help the greater good.  To make something needed, and freely give it has been very rewarding,” said Truckey.

So far, this seamstress team has made nearly 500 masks, and they plan to continue making more.