Q. Why did you decide to become a costume designer?
A. Designing for the stage is a way to combine my interests in communication, interpretation, theatre and visual design.

Q. What is the best part of your job?
A. I enjoy the work of collaborating with a design team (costume designer, lighting designer, sound designer and set designer) to translate and enhance the director’s vision. I also enjoy working to build costumes that both illuminate the characters and are comfortable for the actors.

Q. What type of education do you need?
A. I have education in both theater and interior/fashion design. I think some working knowledge in both areas is essential.

Q. How does the job market look?
A. With any theater artist or freelance designer the market is always very fluid. It takes a good deal of assertion to work steadily.

Q. How much money do you make?
A. Most designers are paid on a per project basis. Designers' salaries are determined by a theater’s production budget and they vary greatly. I generally make between $1000 and $2000 per show depending upon the scope of the production.

Q. What skills do you need?
A. In addition to fashion design and theatre knowledge, people skills are essential—especially clear communication. Also you need to know a great deal about fashion history and cultural influences on style.

Q, Why is your job important to Family and Consumer Sciences?
A. I believe that the arts are an essential element in the lives of all communities. It is a reflection of life. Stories are what keep people connected and create hope.

Q. What are the changes that have happened in your field lately?
A. My "field" is really the arts collectively. The September 11 bombings have altered everyone in the arts. We, like the rest of our country, see things differently. I believe that as artists we have a renewed responsibility to bring people from all walks of life together in our theatre to provide community and connection.