Holy Cross theatre students and Worcester area community members dressed in costume and makeup to enact characters from the treasures in the Worcester Art Museum’s permanent collection on Oct. 22.
Called “Tableaux Vivants” — or, art coming to life — 16 different works from the museum's collection were interpreted by actors, who spoke and mingled with museum visitors. Most of the 23 actors were students from Holy Cross, and were prepared to answer questions about their characters and paintings.
Kurt Hultgren, costume designer in the Holy Cross theatre department, created all the highly-detailed costumes faithfully reproduced from the original artwork, including Frank Benson’s 1907 “Portrait of My Daughters,” El Greco’s “The Repentant Magdalen” (about 1577), and the famous late 17th century New England portraits of “Mrs. Elizabeth Freake and Baby Mary.”
The event celebrated the museum’s director, James Welu, who stepped down after 25 years of service.
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Video: Holy Cross Students Bring Art to Life at Worcester Art Museum
College’s costume designer created all attire for lively event
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