Hello!
My name is Marie Schneggenburger, and for the past 30 years I have been a freelance theatre artist in Washington DC. I am one of the people behind the scenes making the “weird stuff”—masks, headdresses, puppets, hats, armor, etc. My work has been seen in Broadway shows, Opera productions on both coasts, and on almost every stage in Washington DC. There is also a “satellite cozie” crafted by myself and my associate Robyn still hanging out in space collecting data on Gamma Rays for NASA, 12 years after it was launched.
For over a decade, I have been the props designer/set dresser for Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC. On March 13th, 2020, we had the first and only performance of “Guys and Dolls”, which was to be our Spring musical. We performed the show, gathered together to say good-by and then as we say in theatre when a show closes, we went dark.
In quarantine, while coming to terms with the shutdown of my entire profession for the foreseeable future, I was asked by a medical professional to create something that would make surgical masks and other PPE more comfortable to wear during long shifts at the hospital. Her ears were very sore from the constant abrasion of the elastic on the mask. Having put awkward and potentially uncomfortable things on performers heads for years, it was simple to adapt something I’d used that makes heavy headdresses more comfortable and stable for the wearer. In the first weeks of this pandemic, I made and donated hundreds of “BongoBands”; stretchy headbands with buttons for attaching mask elastic to, protecting the ears of the wearer. This led me to approach the fabric masks I wanted to make for my friends and family as if I were making it for a performer who had to wear it every night in a show.
Let’s face it. Almost nobody enjoys wearing a mask. However, we must wear them, so the challenges were: improve on ear comfort, fogging of glasses, and most importantly, design a mask that does not shift constantly on the face when the wearer is speaking. After several prototypes and much questioning of my very tolerant test model friends, I believe I have a mask that provides both superior protection and comfort. My final design has a stainless steel nose piece that keeps it fit tightly to the nose, soft adjustable earloops that help keep the fit snug on the cheeks and under the chin, and is still roomy enough to allow the wearer to speak without having to adjust their mask regularly. Enough people who are unrelated to me have said that mine is their go-to mask, and I’m now making them on a made-to-order basis.
The masks offer a safe way to be considerate of others while we continue our efforts to contain this pandemic. They are made of 2 layers of cotton fabric, with a sturdy stainless steel nose piece, and soft adjustable ear loops. They are washable by hand or machine, and hold up well to repeated washings. While one size fits almost everyone, if you have a face that is wider, narrower, longer, or more heavily bearded than average, let me know, and I can work to your specifications. Kids sizes available too. I can also add a pocket for a filter, and/or a different style of tie instead of ear loop upon request .
I firmly believe that individual style and humor are essential, so there are many fabrics to choose from. Please enjoy picking the fabrics you will enjoy wearing!
xo, Marie