In January 2021, I had the opportunity to create a quilted dress for a local artist exhibition. Through mainly hand-sewing techniques, I was able to craft a dress that paid homage to my hometown in the Appalachian Mountains, as well as my interest in creating unique and one-of-a-kind costume designs.
The dress on display at the Appalachian Artisan Center
The dress in the final stages of being finished.
The skirt in the midst of being worked on. The garment was so large that most times I had to lay it out on the floor in order to reach the inner areas.
A look at the details on the skirt. I used embroidery with yarn and tulle to create the Van-Gogh like swirls, and I added pearls and gemstones to create a glimmer effect.
My initial costume sketch for the piece.
The dress after being altered for the display mannequin, and missing its petticoat.
The dress on display at the Appalachian Artisan Center.
Titled Metanoia, this dance was a deconstructed, modern take on a classic ballet pointe piece. Working with WKU’s scene shop, we constructed these unique tutus to be sturdy yet flexible. Adding touches of metallic silver made the costumes pop under the multi-colored lighting design.
In the summer of 2018, this piece traveled to the Ballet Under the Stars at Kentucky Ballet Theatre in Lexington Kentucky to be performed professionally.
Choreographer: Anna Patsfall
Lighting Designer: Tia Fields
PC: Jeff Smith
Final design sketches.
A mock-up and rehearsal tutu for the tutu we dubbed the ‘wheel and spoke’ model.
A mock-up for the square tutu.
Co-Costume Designer with Meagan Coomer
WKU Mainstage, 2018
Directed by Julie Lynn Barber
For this production, I designed outfits for Doralee, Judy and Hart, as well as notable secondary characters Maria, Josh, Dwayne and Dick. I also draped and built Violet's pantsuit.
The leads at the end of Potion Notion
Judy’s initial design with the actual fabric photoshopped into the drawing.
Updated Costume Sketch for Judy
3/7/19
Updated Costume Sketch for Judy
12/31/20
Judy's finished look.
Doralee’s initial design.
Updated Costume Sketch for Doralee
3/7/19
Updated Costume Sketch for Doralee
12/31/20
Doralee's finished look.
Doralee and Hart
Hart and the Boy's Club
Mock-up drape for Violet's suit jacket.
Violet’s finished pantsuit, minus the jacket.
Film Noir dancers from Judy's fantasy sequence.
Costume Designer
WKU Children's Series, 2017
Directed by Austin Vahle
Scenic Design by Raylee Skipworth
Lighting Design by Valery Stegall
Sound Design by Avery Wilcox and Tyler Forbes
PC: Racheal Luther
Using snap tape, we were able to create the illusion that the trim was being sewn onto the dress during the scene.
Costume Designer
One for the Road was a dystopian tale of a family being held in captivity. Using distressing techniques and keeping designs ambiguous and timeless, I worked with the director to create a world that was open to interpretation.
WKU Studio Series, 2017
Directed by Aaron Schilling
Scenic Design by Nick Mueller
Lighting Design by Brittany Copeland
Sound Design by Tyler Forbes
PC: Meagan Coomer
Assistant Costume Designer
Costume Design by Shura Pollatsek
WKU Mainstage, 2017
Directed by Wayne Pope
Scenic Design by Tom Tutino
Lighting Design by Andrew Duff
PC: Jeff Smith