For more than half a century, Music Theatre of Wichita has delighted audiences with world-class performers, its renowned orchestra and sets that rival most anything seen on Broadway. And then there are the costumes — layers of colors that have brought to life characters in such shows as “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Lion King” and “Alice in Wonderland.”
Many bear the imprint of Sandy Hysom, a longtime MTW costume department volunteer. Now 76, Hysom is retired from careers with Wichita USD 259 and the Midway Kansas American Red Cross.
It was her work for the latter in HIV/AIDS education that led Hysom to MTW 30 years ago.
“It was when Jamie came and changed my life,” Hysom said.
It was the 1980s, and a friend of Hysom’s was living in San Francisco, working with a family whose mother and father both had AIDS. The couple had a seven-year-old-daughter, Jamie Morales, whom Hysom met during a trip to San Francisco. Hysom, who was single and childless, offered Jamie a home in Wichita. Both parents eventually died, and after jumping through many legal hoops, Hysom became Jamie’s guardian.
During that time, Hysom also became friends with MTW producer and artistic director Wayne Bryant, who took an interest in Hysom’s work in HIV/AIDS education. Bryant often accompanied Hysom to her presentations — along with Jamie, who shared her story with audiences.
“It was just unbelievable what this little girl had been through, yet how strong she was,” Hysom recalled.
Encouraged by Bryant, Jamie auditioned for a part in MTW’s “Wizard of Oz,” winning the role of a soldier munchkin. With the show’s rehearsal schedule, Hysom found herself always at the theatre.
“I decided I was not going to sit and do nothing,” Hysom said.
Hysom is tall – 5’10” – and had often made her own clothes. She had also been an art teacher for more than two decades. She was introduced to the MTW costume director, who quickly snatched her up.
“As a teacher, I was free during the summers, so I worked every summer as a volunteer in the costume department,” Hysom said. “That was my summer enjoyment.”
In almost three decades, she has contributed to more than 100 MTW shows.
“There’s always something on stage that I have worked on,” said Hysom. “A big deal for me was I wanted to learn how to make a top hat, which I eventually did. I made the one Mary Poppins wore in that production. I just love hats.”
Hysom was born in Hutchison and attended Friends University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in art education.
Hysom spent the next several years teaching art at Horace Mann and Brooks junior high schools, with stints in between living in San Francisco and New York. She also worked as a paste-up artist for a religious greeting card company.
“The person who hired me said my art was OK but that he was hiring me for my ‘midwestern warmth,’” Hysom said.
Soon after, Hysom returned to Wichita after being recruited to work at the city’s first alternative junior high school, Munger, where she taught art and helped develop the curriculum.
“It was an opportunity to teach the kids I best identified with, kids who needed a little more help than the traditional lecture or reading,” Hysom said.
Hysom also found herself frequently counseling young people in the school, so she enrolled at Wichita State University and earned a master’s degree in student personnel and guidance.
After being recruited by the American Red Cross in Wichita, Hysom spent 13 years with the organization, eventually becoming the director of volunteer and uouth services and leading the youth public education programs during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and early ’90s.
“At the onset of AIDS, blood donations lessened and the National Red Cross wanted all its chapters to focus on education, realizing the only way to stop the spread was education. I was in charge of youth services, and all of a sudden I became an HIV/AIDS educator,” Hysom said.
Hysom went back into the school system as a counselor at Heights High School, then became the Health Education Coordinator for USD 259 for 14 years. Hysom retired in 2015 at age 66. Jamie Morales is now the STI and HIV health educator for the Sedgwick County Health Department.
This year’s MTW season kicks off June 18-22 with “Waitress.” In addition to costume work, Hysom volunteers with the MTW Guild, an organization that she said could always use more participants.
“It is so much fun. We help to provide gifts for actors and choreographers in the shows, as well as coordinating the treat tables in the halls during rehearsals,” Hysom said.
One of her favorite creative outlets is working on the elaborately decorated tables for the Sunday cast suppers for the five MTW shows each year. She wants to make sure the performers know they are appreciated as they wrap up their time in Wichita.
She plans to continue volunteering with MTW and the Wichita Art Museum, where she’s a docent. She’s also preparing to teach art classes at Mrs. O’Leary’s, a shop in Wichita’s Old Town district.
“I’m just thrilled to be a part of these opportunities,” said Hysom. “The people I work with are incredible and give me fun things to do.”
Contact Sherry Graham Howerton at sgaylegraham@hotmail.com.
