MICHELLE JUERGEN | staff writer
courtesy | RAE HENDERSON
Rae Henderson stars at the title role in Antigone wearing her original costume.


The talented actress not only leads the cast as the title role in Antigone, but she costumes them as well.

“There’s just something about theater—that no matter how crazy or chaotic or stressful it is, it’s art and you’re creating and you feel so alive when you’re doing it,” senior theater arts major Rae Henderson said.

Henderson plays the lead role of Antigone in the APU Drama department’s production of “Antigone,” taking on, not only her first dramatic role in a non-musical, but also the task of costuming the entire production. “Antigone” gave Henderson the means to pursue her greatest passions: costuming and acting.

As a senior, Henderson is the costume design intern for the theater department, but she has been involved since her freshman year, helping with alterations. Last year she costumed “Dracula” and “Tea in a China Cup,” and this year she was hired to do the main costuming for “Antigone,” “Of Mice and Men,” and “Return to the Forbidden Planet.”

Henderson began learning how to sew and design at a young age. Her mother is a costumer, and started teaching Rae sewing techniques in second grade. As she learned how to costume a show, Henderson’s passion for colors was born.

“For ‘Antigone,’ [my mom] took me to the L.A. fabric district, where you can get fabric for like, a buck a yard. It’s incredible and crazy, and there’s fabric and trim everywhere. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven,” Henderson said.

Color schemes are a vital aspect of costuming for Henderson, and costuming for “Antigone” was no exception. Each character in the play wears a distinct color to represent their place in society, their personality or their role in the overall performance.

Junior psychology and theater arts double major Katie Elsaesser, a fellow actor and Henderson’s roommate, noticed the significance of color for Henderson.

“The symbolic nature of colors is important to Rae—with the costumes she creates and the clothes she wears. She’s always been into bold colors, and that represents her character. She’s very expressive,” Elsaesser said.

Henderson’s love of costuming and boldness with color blends well with her love of acting. Dr. Rachel Tracie, assistant professor in the Department of Theater, Film and Television, extols her ability to assume so much responsibility.

“I was torn about her taking a lead role with costumes. In one sense, it is a huge bonus because she is highly invested in making the show a success,” Tracie said. “On the other hand, a student only has so much to give, and I was really worried that she would overextend herself, but she has been able to maintain a high level of commitment and professionalism in both areas, which is truly amazing.”

Henderson was both nervous and excited to tackle the role of Antigone because she could see many of the traits of the character in herself.

“There was just so much in this character that I can relate to, and sadly, mostly in terms of her faults. Her impulsiveness, her pride and her stubbornness are all things I can understand,” Henderson said.

Focusing on using her own flaws to convey Antigone’s character was only one way Henderson prepared for the role. She read Sophocles’ Theban plays (of which “Antigone” is the third) so she understood the entire story and background of the characters. She also did research on ancient Grecian traditions.

Though it was written in the 5th century B.C., “Antigone” impacted Henderson with the modernity she read into it from her own life.

“It’s a very epic story, but at the same time there are things that can speak to the individual and could speak to me about who I am, and using what strengths God has given me for [His] purpose.”

Henderson began acting in community theater in fifth grade—her first role was playing Huckleberry Finn in “Tom Sawyer.” From there, she continued although at first unsure if it would be a lasting interest, but eventually realizing it was a true passion.

“If hell was a place on earth, it would be middle school. I had a really hard time in school and in that social setting, and theater was such an outlet and such a safe place,” Henderson said. “And even after that time in my life, I continued in theater because it had become such a home.”

Her favorite musical is “Sweeney Todd,” of which she was a part during her senior year in high school. It was a growing experience for her of how to build a character, a lesson she carried into theater life at APU.

“Honestly, I don’t get tired of [acting],” Henderson said. “The process inevitably at some point is so frustrating, and you’re tearing your hair out and you think, ‘Why do I do this?’ And then at the end, you go ‘Oh, that was so wonderful!’ and you do it again!”