Sew What?

    When you watch a theater production, what do you notice first? The careful delivery of well-crafted lines? The shadows cast by the actors as they step into the spotlight? The first few notes of music that float over the air as the curtains are drawn back? While the words, motions, and music are integral parts of the show, one thing that ties them all together is the dress.

    As a past costumer myself, I can attest that not only is it an art full of creativity and innovation, but this time-consuming and, at times, exhausting field adds that note of believability that most shows would fail without.

    Deciding to revisit my high school drama roots and explore the world of costuming in Eau Claire, I found that it’s a realm that draws you in, whether you intended to make it your career or not. Volunteers, moms, middle school teachers — these are our costumers. They work with everyone from students to theater veterans, imparting their knowledge and experience. But where they got their start and how they “make it work” varies from artist to artist.

    “I’m a non-traditional costumer,” said Ann Behrens, 20-year ECCT and five-year UWEC costuming veteran, joked. “I didn’t go to school for this, but when my daughter was in her first Eau Claire Children’s Theater show and I helped with the costumes, I got really excited about it. I got the theater bug.”

    When she first began, Behrens was a volunteer who sewed costumes from home. Eventually, she was offered a full-time position at ECCT, where she still works today. And it seems another costumer in the area started in a similar way.

    Seventh grade teacher Kathy Look began with the show My Fair Lady, at the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild. 

    “I was approached by the assistant director to costume the show, and I told her I didn’t sew clothes,” she said. “To be honest, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I trusted her. I ended up having a ball and now I’ve costumed three shows so far, the last one being Chicago.”

    But no matter how someone gets their start, it’s what they add to the show that stands out the most. The day-to-day rigors of single-handedly costuming an entire production can be trying.