Faculty of Art

Experimental Animation

Jayden Rostie

06 | Three Ladies of Performance

Inspired by three plays and operas seen in 2026, Rigoletto, Summer and Smoke, and A Doll's House, reimagining the three female leads in one poster.

“Across A Doll’s House, Summer and Smoke, and Rigoletto, the color red symbolizes a femininity that is often unfairly villainized. Whether it is Nora’s "frivolous" red dress, Alma’s transition from pure white to tragic passion, or the rose petals marking Gilda’s loss of innocence, these narratives equate female sexuality with moral decline or inevitable suffering.My capstone project seeks to reclaim this symbolism. Inspired by the vibrant aesthetic of burlesque posters and fashion editorial art, my work brings these three women together to celebrate their passion rather than their "shame." The piece depicts Nora and Alma twirling in their red dresses, dynamic and free, while offering Gilda a space of peace and support. By reimagining these characters through a lens of empowerment, I aim to envision a world where their desires are met with liberation instead of judgment.”