From a young age I can remember being fascinated by 'costume'
and 'dress -up'. I was always into the idea of 'playing' something you
are not, creating alter egos and expressing that through costume. In that
sense I've always been drawn to theatre costume as a means of implying
a false reality and convincing people otherwise. I like the spectacle,
the tangible, the fantasy of the 'play'.
But to bring the 'imagined' to reality is a great challenge.
To do that, I have slowly acquired practical skills through my studies
at East Sydney S.I.T. Learning the principles of draping had to be
one of the most freeing experiences (with regards to my pattern making
skills). Learning about art finishing, interpreting design illustrations,
historical research, basic millinery for theatre, costume jewellery and
putting together period corsetry and costume have been only a few of the
valuable skills I have acquired during my studies at TAFE.
To add to these skills, I have undertaken work placement
in various companies and productions.
These include:
-
Bell Shakespeare Company - art finishes for
Henry IV
-
Murder Call - wardrobe maintenance and standby
-
Grease - costume workshops for petticoat construction
-
Opera Australian - costume
-
Showboat - dressing and maintenance
-
Belvoir Street Theatre - working for designer
I am presently working casually in a commercial wardrobe
department at Sega World Sydney.
I am keen to develop my skills through practical application.
I enjoy working in a team, shaping ideas, developing concepts and turning
them into reality. I am open to new learning and I feel that I am
a very patient person. I also like to get the best possible solution
to problems as they arise.
In the future I would like to be involved in the theatre
costume industry. I am also interested in working on films and meeting
and working with interesting, skilled people.
Cyrano
De Bergerac
A heroic comedy by Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac (1897;
Eng. trans., 1898; films, 1925 and 1950) is loosely based on the life of
Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac. The play, written in both blank and unrhymed
verse, idealistically portrays the charming, valiant, and witty Cyrano--master
duelist, soldier, poet, and philosopher. Despite his many victories, Cyrano
believes that his overly long nose will discourage love in Roxane, the
woman he admires. Honor and friendship prevent him from declaring his passion.
Only before dying does he avow his love. Despite its sentimentality, Cyrano
is a lyrical study in praise of love, fidelity, honor, and heroism.
Joseph A. Reiter
(c) 1997 Grolier, Inc.
