April 14, 2026
Port Dover Maple Leaf
By Donna McMillan
HUNTING down costumes, from ball gowns and tuxedos to cowboy gear and saloon gal corsets, Don Kearney-Bourque had his job cut out for him as costume designer for Lighthouse Festival’s 2026 Community Show Curtains, which opened last Friday to a standing ovation and runs through this weekend.
Mr. Kearney-Bourque said he picked up 350 items on a limited budget from pd thrifts, Second to None, the Lighthouse Theatre (Festival) and Simcoe Little Theatre wardrobe stores, his own closet, and more. Some members of the 21-person cast have seven costume changes throughout the performance, he said.
Mr. Kearney-Bourque, who is marketing and communications manager at Lighthouse Festival, finds volunteering in live theatre thrilling. He enjoyed giving his free time to getting cowboy hats, 1950s pajamas, and mermaid regalia for cast members.
To prepare for this behind-the-scenes role, Mr. Kearney-Bourque needed to read the play, interpret the look and feel actors required for each scene, and make adjustments to ensure the actors’ costumes work during the choreography, he shared. Costumes must allow for movement and not be too tight to hinder the singing of tunes. “In the beginning, you are very imaginative and then some practically comes in,” he said.
It can be overwhelming planning costumes from the ’50s, costumes needed for the play within the play, and all the accompanying accessories, such as earrings, necklaces, kerchiefs, blacksmith gear, cowboy hats, headdresses, riverboat costumes, and fish-scale stockings. And all the clothing must fit the sizes and shapes of the actors.
“We sewed stuff too,” Mr. Kearney-Bourque added. Melinda Campbell, who does hair and makeup for Simcoe Little Theatre, held a session with actors on ’50s hairstyles, he shared.
Mr. Kearney-Bourque said that mood boards were made for each actor. Necessary accessories are placed in boxes for each, with instructions on what to wear and when. All the clothing was labelled and stored as it was collected. This week, the clothing racks are in the dressing rooms.
Mr. Kearney-Bourque has performed on stage in a community play and found it nerve-racking. But volunteering his own time for this creative side of the performance energized him.
“I like being a part of it,” he said. “It was fun planning all of it.”
For tickets to Curtains, visit the box office at the corner of Main and Market streets in Port Dover, go to lighthousetheatre.com, or call the box office at 519-583-2221 or 1-888-779-7703.
