Colorful and upcycled plastic bags make up a costume gown to be worn for West Chester University's "A Carnival of Ruin."
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"There is a lot of plastic in the show...hundreds and hundreds more within the dresses," said Gretchen Studlien-Webb, co-creator and co-producer of the "A Carnival of Ruin."
Everything from the costumes to the set are almost entirely comprised of post-consumer materials.
"The top of tent is about 8,000 plastic bags," said Studlien-Webb.
The creators are three associate professors from West Chester University who share a passion for sustainability expressed through art.
"Our main ringleader has this habit of not seeing trash," Studlien-Webb explains.
They utilize a carnival theme to showcase the harmful effects of consumerism with the ringleader wearing a jacket made up of upcycled bottle caps.
To gather all the material they needed, the group put out calls on social media.
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"Within hours we could have bags and bags of plastic on our doorsteps," said Studlien-Webb.
"We have tin cans that we cut apart and made mermaid scales," said Constance Case, the co-creator and co-producer of the "A Carnival of Ruin."
Case has designed hundreds of costumes for the stage.
They also used Wawa bags and hula hoops to make a lion costume.
The cast is current students and alumni of the University with sound design and dialogue from Philadelphia artists.
Their hope is to inspire social change.
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"Like using a reusable water bottle, reusable grocery bags," said Studlien-Webb.
Carnival of Ruin will be staged outdoors on May 29 at East Goshen Township Park in West Chester. Tickets are free but you must register.
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Carnival of Ruin by West Chester University
1661 Paoli Pike, West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19380
2 Outdoor Performances: May 29 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m at East Goshen Township Park, Registration required