Dec. 5, 2006 issue

This is my 11th year as the costume shop manager at Eastern Michigan University. It was wonderful to return to EMU, since this is where I started my work as a costume designer and received my undergraduate degree in theatre. I went on to earn an MFA in costume design at the University of Illinois and worked at various universities and theatres. I was thrilled when the job at Eastern opened up, for it gave me the opportunity to return to the area and work with my undergraduate mentor, Katherine Strand-Evans.

The main emphasis of my job is to facilitate the costumes for our productions, which are designed by faculty costume designer Melanie Schuessler or myself. This includes shopping for materials, creating patterns, building costumes, supervising our costume shop technicians and student volunteers, scheduling fittings with the actors and attending dress rehearsals.

I feel that one should love what they do, otherwise why do it? That is the way I feel about costuming. Even on the very long dress rehearsal days, I still can't imagine doing anything else. It is so gratifying to see your work up on stage and to know that you played an important role in the production.

 

---