Pete Rush is a costume and scenic designer.
Pete Rush is a costume and scenic designer. Courtesy of Pete Rush

Good morning. It's Thursday, it's nice out, and we're getting closer to the weekend. Closer to that unbelievably warm Sunday in the forecast.

For a bolt of creative inspiration, we turn to the scenic and costume designer Pete Rush, who turns sketches into tangible worlds for theaters big and small, from ACT and the 5th Avenue to Seattle Shakespeare Company and WET.

In his video today, Pete makes a new outfit (!) out of fabric he had sitting in his apartment (!?) and then models it for us (!!!).

"As you can imagine, there is not a lot of work for us theater artists these days," Pete says. "And just like the rest of you, I am stuck here alone in my Capitol Hill apartment. And I've got to be honest, it's sorta driving me crazy. I'm the kind of person who's always working on several project and keeps moving."

So what has he been doing?

"I've been designing and making clothes for myself. I wake up each morning and I look at what I have around. I might look in my big trunk full of fabric. And I'll sit down and sketch out an idea and basically say: All right, I can make this. Then, I'll develop a pattern, and cut the fabric, and stitch it together, and finish it—and voila."

A stunning new look for spring.
Sickening. Courtesy of Pete Rush

If you need more fabulous gay creativity in your life, direct your attention to Pete's Instagram.

Instead of a boring list of all the shows Pete has designed—not boring because of the shows, but boring because it would be so long—we thought we'd give you a visual tour of some of Pete's recent achievements. If you go to the theater, you will remember some of these designs.

Pete created this dress for Jinkx Monsoon to wear in the 5th Avenues production of Rent.
Pete created this dress for Jinkx Monsoon to wear in the 5th Avenue's Rent. Tracy Martin/Courtesy 5th Avenue

Pete designed these costumes for Little Shop of Horrors at ACT.
Pete designed and built all of Jessica Skerritt's looks in Little Shop of Horrors at ACT. Chris Bennion/Courtesy of ACT

Pete designed these costumes for Romeo and Juliet to wear at ACT Theatre.
Pete designed costumes for Romeo + Juliet at ACT. Chris Bennion/Courtesy of ACT

Pete designed this set for Feathers & Teeth at WET.
Pete was nominated for a Gregory Award for scenic design this Feathers & Teeth set at WET. Courtesy of WET

Pete was nominated for a Gregory Award for his costumes in Legend of Georgia McBride at ACT.
Pete was nominated for a Gregory Award for his costumes in The Legend of Georgia McBride at ACT. Chris Bennion/Courtesy of ACT

Pete designed the set for The Picture of Dorian Gray at Book-It.
Pete designed the set for The Picture of Dorian Gray at Book-It. Photo by John Ulman/Courtesy of Book-It

This is but a small sampling of Pete's amazing work. He's been nominated for a Gregory Award countless times, although he's never won. "I'm like the Susan Lucci of the Gregory's," he jokes. But awards are arbitrary, and Pete's talents are timeless.

Thank you, Pete, for showing us how you do what you do—on the floor of your apartment, no less.

And then for that fashionista eleganza extravaganza there at the end. A chic new look for spring.

Pete's thrown down the gauntlet, people.

What are you going to do with your day?


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Previously in this series:


Renée Valencias message to the city on May 5.
Renée Valencia's message to the city on May 5.

Justin Huertass message to the city on May 4.
Justin Huertas's message to the city on May 4.

Charles Mudedes message to the city on May 1.
Charles Mudede's message to the city on May 1.

Kathryn Rathkes message to the city on April 30.
Kathryn Rathke's message to the city on April 30.

Anthony Whites message to the city on April 30.
Anthony White's message to the city on April 30.

Miss Texas 1988s message to the city.
Miss Texas 1988's message to the city.

Matt Bishops message on April 27.
Matt Bishop's message on April 27.

Cherdonnas message to the city on April 26.
Cherdonna's message to the city on April 26.

Shenandoah Daviss message to the city on April 25.
Shenandoah Davis's message to the city on April 25.

Lorena Gonzálezs message to the city on April 24.
Lorena González's message to the city on April 24.

Clyde Petersens message to the city on April 23.
Clyde Petersen's message to the city on April 23.

David Ritts message to the city on April 22.
David Ritt's message to the city on April 22.

Sara Porkalobs message to the city on April 21.
Sara Porkalob's message to the city on April 21.

Julia Sweeneys message to the city on April 20.
Julia Sweeney's message to the city on April 20.

Linda Derschangs message to the city on April 19.
Linda Derschang's message to the city on April 19.

Molly Sidess message to the city on April 18.
Molly Sides's message to the city on April 18.

Nick Garrisons message to the city on April 17.
Nick Garrison's message to the city on April 17.

Tomo Nakayamas message to the city on April 16.
Tomo Nakayama's message to the city on April 16.

Rebecca M. Daviss message to the city April 15.
Rebecca M. Davis's message to the city April 15.

Heather McHughs message to the city on April 14.
Heather McHugh's message to the city on April 14.

Brandon ONeills message to the city on April 13.
Brandon O'Neill's message to the city on April 13.

Kate Wallichs message to the city on April 12.
Kate Wallich's message to the city on April 12.

Rebecca Browns message to the city on April 11.
Rebecca Brown's message to the city on April 11.

Lucien Postlewaites message to the city on April 10.
Lucien Postlewaite's message to the city on April 10.

Betty Wetters message to the city on April 9.
Betty Wetter's message to the city on April 9.

Amanda Morgans message to the city on April 8.
Amanda Morgan's message to the city on April 8.

Nancy Guppys message to the city on April 7.
Nancy Guppy's message to the city on April 7.

Jonathan Bisss message to the city on April 6.
Jonathan Biss's message to the city on April 6.

Chris Jeffriess message to the city on April 5.
Chris Jeffries's message to the city on April 5.

Lesley Hazletons message to the city on April 4.
Lesley Hazleton's message to the city on April 4.

John Rodericks message to the city on April 3.
John Roderick's message to the city on April 3.

Bill Cartys message to the city on April 2.
Bill Carty's message to the city on April 2.

Price Suddarths message to the city on April 1.
Price Suddarth's message to the city on April 1.

Kary Waysons message to the city on March 31.
Kary Wayson's message to the city on March 31.

Ellen Forneys message to the city on March 30.
Ellen Forney's message to the city on March 30.

Major Scaless message to the city on March 29.
Major Scales's message to the city on March 29.

E. J. Kohs message to the city on March 28.
E. J. Koh's message to the city on March 28.

Ken Jenningss message to the city on March 27.
Ken Jennings's message to the city on March 27.

Demarre McGills message to the city on March 26.
Demarre McGill's message to the city on March 26.

Lynn Sheltons Message to the City on March 25th.
Lynn Shelton's Message to the City on March 25th.

Timothy White Eagles message to the city on March 24.
Timothy White Eagle's message to the city on March 24.

Cookie Coutures message to the city on March 23.
Cookie Couture's message to the city on March 23.

Sarah Rudinoffs message to the city on March 22.
Sarah Rudinoff's message to the city on March 22.

John Osebolds message to the city on March 21.
John Osebold's message to the city on March 21.


Ben Gibbards message to the city on March 21.
Ben Gibbard's message to the city on March 20.

Nathan Chans message to the city on March 19.
Nathan Chan's message to the city on March 19.