After nearly three years of anticipation, some of the more ambitious costumes that participants in The Lion King, Jr will be wearing for the upcoming Reed Intermediate School production were modeled for the first time one recent afternoon.

According to Reed art teacher Michelle Ginand, the images that eventually came to be in reality came to her in a dream — literally.

“I don’t sew,” said the set-painter and mastermind behind the costumes. “I couldn’t get around how to do it, then I dreamt about it.”

Ornately hand painted, the costume pieces have a mystical quality extending beyond their expressive aesthetic. Fashioned from upholstery foam, the bulky pieces seemed light enough to carry for those in the three-part elephant ensemble, as well as comfortable and flexible for other cast members who will wear them as helmet-masks.

While involved actors had some fun trying those pieces on, cast members who didn’t need to be fitted sat in student groups before the stage doing homework and awaiting their turn to be called.

Onstage, a pivotal scene was coming together under the direction of Twyla Hafermann-Kessler. Joli Hunter and Kevin Gray, playing Rafiki and Simba respectively, were enacting the moment they meet.

Joli brought her character to life with expressive body movements and personality, and Kevin provided tangible emotion into the scene. Elle Nauman voiced Mufasa, Simba’s father, who spoke to him from the afterlife in a dark and compelling timbre.

Backstage, Ginand was unearthing her striking main character masks from storage. The masks have been backstage for years, as the planned 2020 production was cancelled due to the pandemic.

“Most of the main character’s masks were done before COVID,” said Ginand.

After workshopping the scene, Director Hafermann-Kessler announced that the “beginning animals” would be receiving their costumes. Cast members cheered as they were introduced to the boxes and boxes of fabric costumes and accompanying props.

Students portraying flocks of birds tested their white garment wings while students portraying gazelles were introduced to large cardboard counterparts they will be wearing.

Several other animal species practically came to life. Even before it was assembled onstage, the collage of color made for a visually exciting experience.

This week, students moved to the high school for dress rehearsals.

“This was a show that had been shut down … it’s been cast twice,” said Hafermann-Kessler, regarding the pandemic shutdown. “We’re hoping the first cast will actually come to see it.”

Because of lighting issues at Reed, the show will take place at Newtown High School on April 28 and 29 at 7 pm, and April 30 at 2 pm.

For tickets, visit showtix4u.com/event-details/72508.

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.