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DAEDALUS PROJECT Clad for a cause OSF Costume Shop makes elaborately dressed bears for AIDS fundraiser Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Aug. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Aug. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Making elaborate costumes for teddy bears poses unique challenges compared to outfitting Oregon Shakespeare Festival actors. "It's kind of tricky. The proportions of a bear are awkward," says OSF Costume Shop stitcher Emma Craig. "They're round in the middle and have these tiny little arms and legs." But the effort is worth it, considering that the bears are auctioned off to raise money for HIV and AIDS organizations as part of OSF's annual Daedalus Project fundraiser. The costume shop has made 12 bears this year — one for each of the 11 plays staged during the 2016 season, plus a "William Shakesbeare" in honor of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. People who hope to secure a bear can make a silent auction bid beginning at 11 a.m. Monday during the Daedalus Arts and Treasures Sale in the Thomas Theatre on OSF's campus, 15 S. Pioneer St., Ashland. Some have gone for as high as $1,000 in past years. "This is the costume shop's contribution to the Daedalus Project," says OSF costume craft artisan Betsy Krausnick, who makes the bear bodies. "We like to do it because it showcases what we can do as a costume shop. It's something nobody else can do, and we have fun with it." The tradition of making bears started four years ago, she says. Over the years, the bear bodies have been made from different materials, ranging from leftover T-shirts to scraps from costumes made for plays, Krausnick says. Making the bear costumes has evolved into a bit of a competition, with some bedecked in elaborate outfits that include hats, boots, bonnets, shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, vests and other accessories and pieces of clothing, she says. Craig made a costume that includes a seersucker suit, linen vest and white button-up shirt for a bear representing the character Moises, played by Armando McClain, in "The River Bride." The costume shop has created a tradition of having the actors sign a part of the bears, such as the bottom of the feet. "If an actor is particularly popular and it's signed by them, it raises more money, or if it has an extravagant costume," Craig says. Known for going to extraordinary lengths to create costumes for OSF's actors, the costume shop also lavishes attention on the bear costumes. Craig estimates some ensembles require more than 70 hours of work. The silent auction of the bears is one part of a two-day fundraising marathon. The 2016 Daedalus Project kicks off with a 5K run and walk at 9 a.m. Sunday starting from OSF. Entry is $28 in advance or $30 the day of the run and walk. Register at runsignup.com/Race/OR/Ashland/TheDaedalus5KRunWalk . Monday activities that start at 11 a.m. include the bear silent auction, a Daedalus Bake Sale in the Angus Bowmer Theatre and a Daedalus Lemonade Stand and Info Faire on The Bricks courtyard. A play reading dubbed "Daedalus the Mystery Musical!" begins at 2 p.m. Monday in the Angus Bowmer Theatre. The play is based on a classic musical title that will be revealed at the start of the performance. OSF company members will put a wild spin on a familiar story. Tickets are $35 and are available at www.osfashland.org or by calling the OSF box office at 1-800-219-8161. The Daedalus Variety Show — which always sells out the Allen Elizabethan Theatre — is the main event of the Daedalus Project. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Tickets range from $40 to $45 and are available online or by calling the box office. OSF actor and director James Edmondson organized the first Daedalus Project in 1988. Since then, the event has raised more than $1.6 million for local, regional, national and international HIV/AIDS organizations. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Aug. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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