Sneak Peek

At my new routine and costume.

Here’s the story…

The Last Words of Bridget Bishop, the first femme executed in the blood bath that was the Salem Witch Trials were, “You will keep silent”.

There is no way to know, to whom she was referring but it is widely believed that this directive was in fact a spell cast upon either the audience or her executioners right before her hanging. Her defiance toward law and men put her in the crosshairs after her husband passed. You see, historically women were not generally encouraged and often times, not allowed to own property. And after Bridget husband passed, she was left all of the property. The powers that be did not like this. It seemed that women with any amount of power, especially women who shirk the leadership of the men around her, are an easy target for the Salem witch trials. By executing women like this they killed two burns with one stone. Not only did they get rid of the problem of an unruly woman that could eventually spread to other women in the community and challenge the voices of the men around her, but the local government would also would receive her property after her passing.

Brigette was long known for being flamboyant in her wardrobe and unyielding in her defiance towards men and local government. Not only did she own a house after her husband passed away, she also owned a lucrative bar. This left her open to all kinds of libel since women were generally not owners of anything especially property and business. Essentially, they can accuse women of whatever they want and usually get away with it.

In true Bridget Bishop style, she chose to wear red to her execution.

This was a power play.

You see, historically the color red has always symbolized war, wealth, and power. In the medieval period, red held both religious significance as the color of the blood of Christ and the fires of Hell. What a loaded shade for throwing shade…

I chose red for this costume to celebrate Bridgets death and life, power, wealth and the war she waged at the end of her days by simply wearing a color in effigy. I wanted to truly celebrate the color red and it’s reference to eternal hellfire and damnation by having Gabriela add in elements of gold to make the red look more like fire. I wanted this piece to be sparkling, beautiful and rise up to the sky like a flame, instead of having a puritanical look. I feel that this is an image she may have embraced although it probably would’ve been a look that would have not been well received by the general population. At that time in history, to wear red was in flagrant disobedience to the powers that be. I’m sure you all have heard of the scarlet letter. It was Scarlet for a reason.

I really wanted this costume to have all the power, mystery and carry the stigma of a strong, powerful witch. This is the best representation Gabriela and I could collaborate on.

For music my choices are The Sound of Silence performed by the Chromantics followed by Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode.

I will begin the choreography on this routine this week. More photos and videos to come.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-sound-of-silence/1481815287?i=1481815289

https://music.apple.com/us/album/enjoy-the-silence/203880450?i=203880651