Published Wednesday, April 3, 2013 by sonyaberlovitz in  

I have a new project further down the road with the Moving Company that I am fundraising for.  Please go to

 http://www.usaprojects.org/project/costume_designs_for_come_hell_or_high_water

 To learn more about it.



Imaginary Invalid at Playmakers Repertory

Published Monday, October 29, 2012 by sonyaberlovitz in , , , , , ,  

Inside INVALID: Clothes That Make the Moment


PlayMakers is honored to host award-winning costume designer Sonya Berlovitz as she puts together the threads for our world premiere adaptation of Moliere's Imaginary Invalid, opening this weekend at the Paul Green Theatre, Department of Dramatic Art, UNC-Chapel Hill. Here's what she had to say about giving this classic farce a new sartorial spin:


I was very excited to work on PlayMakers' production of Imaginary Invalid – it being a Moliere play that I have always wanted to design. It is very exciting to prepare for a world premiere because there is a lot of freedom to conceive designs in an unexpected way since it is a completely new venture for the entire artistic team, and since everyone is on the same page you have the strength of the collaboration to support your efforts.

After some discussion with Dominique Serrand, the director, we wanted the show to be very contemporary (i.e. 2012), which actually is more difficult than it sounds. We wanted characters that were real, not cartoony, who could be both funny and potentially a little frightening.




The script provided valuable information in terms of the world we were in, both funny and tragic. I did some background research into the traditional design of the show to see how we could contemporize it.  I also looked at current fashion and medical and surgical professionals from today, as well as the red carpet for Klytemenestra, an egoistic character always on the move. For example, how Argo would look in a sickroom today or how a nurse and a bucket boy (characters not in the original version) hired by a wealthy person would appear. It meant details that said "2012" became important; see the silicone bracelets for the nurse. To poke fun at the pomposity of Dr. St. Judas and Dr. Wachauvia, I gave them matching Ivy League collegiate ties and lab coats, Wachauvia still in his golf clothes.

Photos: Sonya Berlovitz's original costume renderings for this production. From top: the characters Irving-Luigi, Klymenestra, Bucket Boy, and Dr. Wachauvia. Included courtesy of the artist.
IMAGINARY INVALID by Moliere; adapted by David Ball
October 24 – November 11, 2012
Directed by Dominique Serrand

Published Friday, July 13, 2012 by sonyaberlovitz in  


DIANA TAKES A SWIM is the compelling artistry of choreographer/dancer Deborah Jinza Thayer, who takes a dip into the female collective unconscious, in her latest solo, which she has created in collaboration with composer Janika ... more »

Published Wednesday, December 14, 2011 by sonyaberlovitz in  



  • Social Exchange: Sonya Berlovitz, Costume Designer

    Permanent and its partners always seem to attract an eclectic following of Facebook and Twitter friends, from artists to designers to similar creative businesses—not to mention the occasional (okay, frequent) wingnut. But, hey, that’s the beauty of social media: it’s a mixed bag. Inspired by this vast array of new friends, we’ve decided to occasionally highlight those we find most fascinating on our blog. To kick things off, we’d like to introduce you to costume designer extraordinaire, Sonya Berlovitz, the first subject in the series.

     Photo by Ann Marsden

    An award-winning costume designer whose work has been featured in inumerable productions, Berlovitz has spent a good chunk of her career based in Permanent’s hometown of Minneapolis, MN. Most notably recognized as resident designer for the now defunct (but fondly remembered and nationally recognized) Theatre de la Jeune Lune between the years of 1980-2008, she created costuming for over 50 productions. Having gained her education in both Paris and Chicago, Berlovitz’s ambition and talent have taken her all over the country, designing for theater and dance productions of all shapes, sizes and genres. Her latest endeavors have pulled her more fully into the dance realm, designing costuming for upcoming productions at the new Minneapolis-based Cowles Center and The Lab Theater.
    We caught up with Sonya via Facebook and asked a few questions about her history and craft…
    Can you remember the defining point in your life when you knew you’d be a designer? 
    When I started design classes at La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in Paris, France. It just felt right.

    Emily Gunyou Halaas in “The Deception” (La Jolla Playhouse/Theatre de la Jeune Lune)
    Directed by Dominique Serrand
     photo by Dominique Serrand

    What was your most memorable experience designing for a production?
    Designing my first show in 1980 for Theatre de la Jeune Lune called 1929. There were 42 people in the cast and the budget was $750. Also, designing Haroun and the Sea of Stories at Berkeley Repertory Theater and having the opportunity to meet Salman Rushdie, who wrote the book. Also, designing any opera at Theatre de la Jeune Lune.
    If you could design for any play, what would it be and why?
    Mario and the Magician by Thomas Mann, which has actually only been done as an opera. It’s a great story about the rise of fascism and it would be a great challenge to make the characters and setting more contemporary.

    Steve Epp as the“Miser” (American Repertory Theatre/Theatre de la Jeune Lune)
    Directed by Dominique Serrand
    photo by Michal Daniel

    Have you ever created a traditional fashion line?
    I created a fashion line in 2001 and held a show in the lobby of Jeune Lune. It was inspired by the 1930’s and most of the models were actors. My mom also modeled. I’m a terrible sales person and wound up giving away most of the pieces to the actors and friends.
    You did a stint as a textile designer. What components does one factor in when creating a unique yet wearable textile?
    For a handwoven fabric one factors in the thread content, what time of year the garment will be worn, color, texture, the lengthwise grain (warp) and the crosswise grain (weft) and then within the technology involved, trying to create something new with the traditional method of the loom. When I worked in Japan I played a lot with thick and thin combinations of threads and sheer and not sheer.

    For Stuart Pimser Dance Theater

    In an interview you once compared your love of combining fabrics to painting (which you also have a background in). Do you often have a solid plan going into things, or do they evolve in the process?
    I try to have a fairly solid plan going into things and at the same time a willingness to let the process evolve and see what emerges. That way I too can be surprised by the result. It’s more fun.
    You designed some costumes for the Cowles Center Opening which were pretty awesome. One thing we imagine that presents a challenge in costume design is the garment’s flexibility during performances that contain a lot of dance and movement. What are some tricks of the trade that might surprise us?
    Elastic. Lots of elastic. Sometimes shirt tails have added elastic loops that help keep the shirts tucked into pants and/or skirts even with lots of movement involved. Lots of fabric with lycra. There are a number of newer fabrics out now that don’t look like knits, but have a small amount of lycra in their content to make them stretchy enough for dance costumes. It’s a nice option.

    For Cowles Center opening

    Broad question: What inspires you? 
    I’m inspired by several sources. The story, if it’s a narrative piece, film, paintings, fashion (mostly the Japanese designers), sometimes architecture, street people.

    What projects are you current working on that we should keep an eye out for?
    Vasa Lisa for 10,000 Things, then War Within/All's Fair & the Imaginary Invalid by the Moving Company.

    To see more of Sonya’s work visit her site at www.sonyaberlovitz.com
    Friend her on Facebook HERE

Cowles Center for Dance Opening Night

Published Thursday, September 15, 2011 by sonyaberlovitz in  


Photos by Jeff Wheeler.

Published Saturday, May 7, 2011 by sonyaberlovitz in  

Interview with Sonya Berlovitz by Arts Collective Manufactured-Dissent

Published Tuesday, April 28, 2009 by sonyaberlovitz in , , , , , , ,  

Sonya Berlovitz designs costumes for theater productions both in Minnesota and nationally. Through bold use of color, fabric and design, she brings a contemporary aesthetic to the stage. Check out our Q&A with Sonya.

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