Patterns, People, and Personal Growth
Reflections from a season in the costume shop
With the curtain up on Bonnie and Clyde, our final show for the season, the focus now shifts to wrapping up and preparing to head home. This production was relatively simple, making it the perfect opportunity to slow down, rest, and recharge. Now, after six months, my stay has come to an end, and I’m filled with appreciation for the rewarding experience this has been.
Just to recap, I came back to The Rev in late spring for my second season working as a cutter/draper. After confirming my return, I immediately began researching the historical eras connected to the costume builds I could be assigned. Since I had already gained an understanding of the atmosphere and operations, I was confident this season would be fairly similar to the last.
Upon arrival, I wasn’t in the best state of mind. I was weighed down by the anxiety and anger stirred up by the fracturing of our society. I was afraid to leave home, yet I also desperately needed to be surrounded by creative souls, immersed in theatre art, and embraced by a community where I could feel safe. I wanted to connect with humans who shared my beliefs and felt the same way I did.
My contract started a month earlier than the rest of the crew, which gave me time alone to settle in and sit with my thoughts. On my first morning, it snowed. And in my quiet hope for some optimism, I chose to see it as a good omen.
I knew everything would be okay the moment I stepped into the costume shop. It felt as if no time had passed. The warmth and kindness from Tiffany and Ashley—the costume designer and wardrobe supervisor—made it feel like coming home. I was back in my element, and for the first time in months, I felt that deep sense of comfort that I had been missing.
Over the following weeks, our team arrived one by one, and by mid-May, we were fully up and running, knee-deep in our first production of the season. I was thrilled to be back doing what I love most, but I was also quietly battling waves of separation anxiety from my pets. It was a strange kind of torment; sewing brought me so much joy, yet being away from the ones I love most weighed heavily on my heart. Thankfully, Amara brought with her a handsome grey tuxedo cat named Nike that I tried everything to kidnap.
Aside from one new face, everyone returned from last summer. Last year, we were just getting to know each other, learning one another’s rhythms and work styles, all while doing our best not to look like amateurs in a professional workplace. This time around, we were more experienced, so we knew what to expect. What we didn’t know was that Tiffany, fully aware of our capabilities, had already mapped out a plan to leverage our skills to their fullest. We were about to be challenged, and we had no idea.
Individually and as a team, we were pushed creatively and artistically. We were inspired to stretch our abilities, grow our skill sets, and tackle obstacles we’d never faced before. And in the end, we delivered some of our finest work.
I didn’t realize how much I needed that. Because no matter how skilled you are, it’s easy to become stagnant over time when you’re not being challenged. I’ve always been confident in my ability to handle any build assigned to me, but there’s a difference between believing you can do it and actually doing it well. I was also very fortunate to be able to work with a leader who had experience and real-world expertise and who generously shared her knowledge with me. Growth truly begins with someone who has more to teach, and there’s only so much you can teach yourself.
Last year, being here was an adventure. I wanted to see everything, go everywhere, and soak in as much as I could. This year was different. Work was busy, and all I really craved was peace, quiet, and staying close to home. Still, I made it to NYC for a day. Amara, who grew up there, was my tour guide. We started in the Bronx and ended at Coney Island, seeing everything in between. We walked through the garment district, rode the subway, saw the Empire State Building, and even double-parked… twice! At sunset, before heading home, we strolled along the pier in Coney Island while I ate a delicious hot dog from Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog, taking in all the chaos around us. It was wonderful.
To stay creative in my personal time, I had planned to continue my tradition in the costume shop of making garments for a little dress form. Except this season, I was only able to make one. A little Mexican dress to celebrate my heritage and to show my love and support for my community. As it sat next to my sewing machine, this little dress became my symbol of strength, a testament of my pride, and a spark of hope against the backdrop of a country in decline.
Some days were spent enjoying nature and national parks. I saw waterfalls and took on a few hiking trails where I almost died. There are a lot of lakes in the area, so on some days I took peaceful walks just admiring the beauty of upstate. One place I kept going back to was a small ice cream shop that overlooked Owasco Lake.
It was the perfect place for me to sit, think, and just breathe. As I sat there, I thought about how much I missed my pets and how badly I wanted to be home. But at the same time, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the chance to be here, doing the work I love so much. This was an opportunity I could never have had back home. But it also required making many sacrifices.
With limited activities available in this area, I decided to start going to the gym. For a while, I was consistent, but once tech week hit, I’d end up back at square one every time. Starting was hard for sure, but keeping it going was even harder. And though I’ve slowed down since then, I’m still trying my best to keep going.
Keep going. That became the quiet mantra I repeated to myself several times a day. With the constant stream of bad news in the media, I had to try harder to stay focused. That may also be why I was so tired most days. It felt like I was using more mental energy just to stay grounded. Sometimes I noticed my problem-solving was slower than usual. So, like a true professional, I shifted to positive self-talk in the moment, then afterwards met the girls for tequila shots. Because there is no greater medicine against those negative thoughts than laughter and alcohol. Those nights, from what I could remember, nos disfrutamos mucho.
Some of the best memories of the season were meeting new people and seeing old friends from last year. Another was the opportunity to sew with designer fabrics and to create some fun vintage-inspired circus costumes. I even had the privilege of meeting the one and only Donald Rice and working once again with the amazing Tiffany Howard. But the highlight of it all? I got to make a Cheek-to-Cheek dress for our Top Hat production– the dream assignment that reminded me why I fell in love with sewing in the first place.
But more than anything, I truly owe a lot to the team in the costume shop. It was through their love and support that I leave here a happier and more empowered person than when I first arrived. Watching each other grow from the first day to the last was something very special and seeing the progress in our skills, our confidence, and our teamwork fills me with so much pride. What we created together this summer was nothing short of amazing.
With so many talented professionals eager to join the Rev each season, being invited back for a third year makes my heart so happy. And, despite the chaos that lived in my mind, I found so much purpose and beauty in the work I was able to contribute to this time around. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart to my beautiful sewing sisters, my talented colleagues, and all my dear friends for a successful season and the most unforgettable summer. Thank you. I’ll see you all next year.
