“Hairspray” performed at the White Theatre in February
Creating a narrative between color and pattern is the signature of Kansas City fashion and textile designer Whitney Manney, who brought her bold artistry to the stage in a recent production of “Hairspray.” Bringing the 1960s to life, her shimmering polka dots, flirty florals and sharp geometric prints were complemented by high-as-the-sky bouffants by wig designer Chan Ulledahl.
The nearly 80 costumes also included casual, youthful styles of everyday wear with a mod flair. With every stitch and silhouette, Manney tells a visual story as rich and expressive as the music and acting, ensuring that each character’s wardrobe radiates their unique personality.
Manney’s foray into theater costume design began in August 2023, when she was approached by Damron Russel Armstrong, founder and artistic director of the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City, to work on original costume designs for the company’s “Hip Hop Cinderella.” Following the success of that production, the organization quickly invited her back to design for “Hairspray,” Black Rep’s fourth annual collaboration with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City — The J — which ran in February at the center’s White Theatre.
While many of the costumes were created from scratch, given a tight timeline and limited assistance, resourcefulness was key. Manney turned to thrifting clothes that could be remixed and embellished and utilizing supplies from The J’s extensive costume loft, with the help of Chelli Tillman, The J’s wardrobe supervisor.
“WM, just as a label, was born out of making something out of nothing,” Manney remarked of her efficient approach. Each costume required attention to detail and theater-specific considerations like quick changes and ease of movement. Collaborating with each cast member on comfort and aesthetics, while maintaining the integrity of the design for the show, was important to Manney. If the actor looks and feels their best, she said, it makes an impact on their performance.
The next collaboration between Whitney Manney and the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City was “Mahalia: A Gospel Musical,” March 20 through April 6 at The Black Box, which featured a cast of three and music by various gospel composers, hymns and spirituals made famous by Mahalia Jackson. Mahalia is known as the musical voice of the Civil Rights Movement. Her passion carried her from a three-room shanty in New Orleans to appearances before presidents and royalty.
Manney’s designs have been featured not only on runways, fashion blogs and in retail spaces but on major network television in the PBS shows “Make48” and “My World Too,” as well as in the Peacock series “Bel-Air” and “Season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.” Manney is a member of the 2021 American Craft Council Emerging Artists Cohort and a recipient of the 2020 JOANN Minority Creative Grant as well as numerous other grants. She is a Kansas City native and graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2012 with a BFA in Fibers.
Visit whitneymanney.com/events for details about Manney’s May 23, 24 and 25 Open Studio event, featuring a display and sale of her designs.
photos by Jim Barcus
Whitney Manney costume design for Edna singing “Welcome To The 60s,” and two designs for Motormouth Maybelle, including (right), her costume for performing “You Can’t Stop the Beat” in the White Theatre’s production of “Hairspray.”
