Design Work
The design projects that are the most rewarding are projects that support other artists in their creative endeavors: working with self–producing storytellers like Vie Boheme to assemble the collection of costumes needed for her CENTERPLAY project; collaborating with choreographers like Nic Lincoln, bringing his surreal visions to life with limited means through innovation and problem-solving; collaborating with choreographer Deborah Jinza Thayer to engineer dresses with 20-foot trains that are aesthetically pleasing yet durable and low maintenance to reduce the need for backstage support; and helping a bride feel her best on the big day.
Space Suit
To stay within budget, I worked with research images from production designer Kurt Gough and ideas from director Zechariah Thormodsgaard to create this spacesuit from found items. Some of the items were used upside down or backward to make them less recognizable. 3D printed seals, a collaboration with digital designer Kevin Johnson of Stratasys, along with embellishments like custom embroidered patches and reflective cycling tape helped elevate the look of the finished suit.
Producer: Zechariah Thormodsgaard
Show: Convergence (Film Short 2022)
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Performer: Anthony B. Caldwell
Photo: DJ Gramann II
The Patient
This dance piece was based on Nic Lincoln's journey with injury, surgery, and self-care to maintain his body and keep his dance career alive. The process was enlightening as the life of a dancer whose physical body is the canvas on which their art is displayed. After I understood the trials and triumphs of this journey he and I came up with ways to tell the story visually that were also unique to his own self-expression.
Producer: Nic Lincoln
Show: An Evening With Nic Lincoln
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Performer: Nic Lincoln
Santa
Visual designer Larry Pfarr partnered with the marketing team at Bachman's and together we invented this version of Santa Claus that's unique to the brand. The input of performer and seasoned storyteller Michael Mann was invaluable in creating a version that was both endearing and relatable.
Producer: Bachman's
Show: Santa & Albert's Holiday
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Performers: Michael Mann
Twenty-foot Trains
Working from a costume originally designed by Sonya Berlovitz from a previous project, the choreographer Deborah Jinza Thayer and I collaborated on making a revised version to be worn by a corps of dancers in this newly commissioned dance piece. The challenge was to engineer dresses with 20-foot trains that were aesthetically pleasing yet durable and low maintenance to reduce the need for backstage support. The resulting performance, dynamic bordering on aggressive, caused me to sit up in my seat every time I witnessed it. And not a torn dress to date!
Producer: Movement Architects
Show: All Hail The Queen
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Performers: Non Edwards, Erika Hansen, Christine Maginnis, Sharon Picasso, Erin Thompson, and Roxane Wallace
Photo: Julia Davidson
Dancing Cake Slices
This is another project were simplicity won out during development. These geometric cardboard boxes made to look like a slice of cake dancing down Hennepin Avenue was an exercise in scale and spatial relations. The dancers were able to come together and kneel down to become a whole cake sitting in the middle of the street. Back on their feet, playful serpentine and wagon wheel choreography was managed with ease and delighted the crowd year after year all in celebration of Pride and Wilde Roast Cafe.
Producer: Wilde Roast Cafe
Show: Pride Parade
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Performers: Robert Leadley
Bath House Erin
The Mattie's On Main owners used the cover artwork from Bette Midler's album Bathhouse Betty as inspiration for this parade band representing the Nordeast restaurant in the Twin Cities Pride Parade. For this project, my role was maker and producer. I made the dress for Erin Schwab, created the looks for each of the band members, assembled the team of talent, and worked with the choreographer to create vignettes along the parade route.
Producer: Mattie’s on Main
Show: Pride Parade
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Performer: Erin Schwab
Lila Lee
Spirit Forward, a devised experiential event created by Rick Ausland of Buckets and Tap Shoes, centered around the life of illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini. Each vignette focused on an aspect of his legacy and the contemporaries with which he interacted. A ticketed event, audience members were encouraged to dress in the 1920s era and follow the story through the different spaces at Four Paws event center closing with a guided séance.
Producer: Sparkle Theatrical
Show: Spirit Forward
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Performer: Catherine Noble
Photo: Jason P. Schumacher
Beatrice and Benedict
These images are from a production of Much Ado About Nothing set in the American south in 1861 after the battle of Bull Run. To insure historic accuray, the Civil War uniforms were built in collaboration with historian and tailor Luther Sowers of Anvil Arms.
Danny Theater Company’s Much Ado About Nothing
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Performer: KB Mercer (left) and Thomas Murray (right)
Rosie The Workforce
This was a volunteer design project in support of the annual DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS) fundraiser. The theme of inclusion and empowerment was UB2. My co-designer Paul Carey and I took inspiration from Rosie The Riveter and expanded the allegorical icon to male dominated jobs in the workforce.
Producer: DIFFA
Show: UB2
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Dior Inspired Wedding Dress
This wedding dress was inspired by dressmaking details of the 1950s, notably Christian Dior. To create the bodice, strips of natural silk organza were ruched on both edges and sewn in alternating stripes to bands of French cotton insertion lace. There is nothing like a gleeful bride!
Show: Martin Benedict Wedding
Designer: DJ Gramann II
Photo: DJ Gramann II