Behind the Lens

Students channeled popular female musical theatre characters for a photography project.

By TCU Magazine

May 16^th, 2022

by Heather Hughston

Theatre TCU’s production of Wonder Women — a celebration of women’s roles on Broadway — was the inspiration for a series of images shot by students in assistant professor of art Kalee Appleton’s portrait photography class. Wonder Women, compiled and directed by Collin Pittman ’21, played to sold-out audiences in September 2021.

Senior Olivia Mingram photographed junior Jaden Dominique as protagonist Celie in The Color Purple; the photographer used “I’m Here,” Celie’s song of overcoming adversity and loving herself, as guidance for the self-contained pose.

Sophomore Amaris Gonzales captured senior Julia Light, as My Fair Lady’s Eliza Doolittle, with a confident gaze in a garden to represent the character’s evolution from humble beginnings as a flower vendor to a strong-willed society woman.

Lauren Mallette ’21 portrayed senior Savanna Worthington as the fame-hungry murderer Roxie Hart in Chicago. “Using grayscale and a physical barrier between the subject and the lens indicates that there is evil beyond face value,” Mallette said.

Senior Chinirah Brown posed junior Arielle Roberts, as Dreamgirls star Effie, in front of mirrors to reflect the character’s transformation as she steps into the spotlight.

Photography major Felix Quinones chose an urban setting under a bridge to show musical theatre major Devan DeLugo performing the title song from the musical Fame.

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