Ruth's Capsule Bio

Last updated: 3/16/2012

I play Magenta, whose voice I fell in love with on the film soundtrack in 1978, and occasionally the Usherette (Trixie). I've served as a costume judge at the Anaheim con in California (1997), the NYC con (1998), Denver Rocks the Rockies (1999), Transylvania '99, East Coast 2000 (Allentown), Bay Area 2000, the 25th Anniversary (2000), the Philadelphia Con (2002), The Denton Affair (Manchester, UK, 2006) the Untoucha-Touchables Con (Chicago, 2006), and the 35th Anniversary (LA, 2010) although listing these as credentials makes little sense, as the List you're looking at is the reason I was asked. I was honored to receive the BOSS award in April 1998 at the NYC con for my contributions to the Rocky Horror Internet community, and to receive a Fan Award at the 25th Anniversary. I was interviewed on the BBC World Service radio program "Outlook" on the occasion of the Rocky Horror Show's 30th anniversary. For my work on this site I received a David at the 2001 Frankie Goes to Hollywood convention (the "Golden Sphincter" award--hmm).

In real life, I'm an engineer, working in project management. I enjoy collecting Rocky Horror items, reading, foreign languages, dark chocolate, women's history, vegetarian cooking, puttering around in the garden, and ancient Egypt.

• Ruth with the Rocky shorts (2004, Myrtle Beach, SC)
• http://www.rockyhorrorcostumelist.info/roruth.jpg (1996, out of costume, looking like a dork with Richard O'Brien outside the Comedy Theatre in London)

Oh, you meant in costume?
I photograph poorly so I have maybe half a dozen photos in costume I'm happy with. Here are a few.

• Scaring the natives in my maid outfit
• Dinner scene
  Both the above photos with Midnight Madness by George, whose camera likes me; more at http://mmrhpscast.livejournal.com/ (1-19-2009, Chicago, IL)
• Pole dancing
  Photo with Completely Crazy; photo by Susan Smith (11-01-2009, Woodridge, IL)

Do I Make My Own Costumes?
Over the years the answer has drifted from "yes" to "sometimes." I am mostly self-taught and firmly believe that almost anyone can learn to sew, but I've reached the point in my life where I have more money than free time. My most recent costume pieces were made in 2011; the oldest date back to 1991. In 2001 I bought a costume for the first time but did some of the work as well as final alterations. Since then I've commissioned three pieces (two Magenta dresses and a spacesuit), modified them to varying degrees, and purchased a secondhand pair of spacesuits. Apparently I have very strange measurements so I've learned to ask that a tailor make me a muslin before doing the finished piece.

I believe creating costumes is a continuous process, as your abilities and knowledge of the costumes improve. If you can't make a perfect costume, don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself or wishing you had the money to pay someone else to do it--make the best one you can, and go from there. If this means you're modifying something you found in a thrift store, great. That's how most of us got started and it's the fastest, most fun way to get your first costume together. People tend to assume I look down on people who wear cobbled-together thrift store costumes. Nothing could be further from the truth--it's how I got started myself, and I respect people who put their time, effort and love into their costumes. Personally I'm much happier getting creative with cardboard, duct tape and a tube of E6000 than sewing from a pattern.

You can email me if you want to discuss costumes.