My time at AUB has allowed me to develop my skills and confidence as a maker to go into this incredible industry. I really wanted to get the best out of my third year, so I choose projects that would truly test me like never before. 

During my first term of third year, I had the privilege of creating a Dame costume for the Oxford Playhouse’s pantomime Dick Whittington and working with an outside designer allowed me to see how a theatre is run, potentially influencing what area of costume I may go into. Unlike pieces I had made prior, this was a full costume with a jacket, skirt and even a tulle eel, which was a welcome challenge to explore a bit of prop making. The exaggerated features of dame history were implemented with funky materials, patterns and a larger-than-life silhouette.

For my second project of the year, I went into a different direction and made 18^th century menswear with the production Moonfleet set in the local Dorset coast. I was able to revisit my skills in tailoring with a jacket, waistcoat and breeches made for the character of Magistrate Maskew. It was a pleasure to see both costumes make their way onto the stage and be used in the actors' process to bring these characters to life.

I would like to use my costume skills to help my local theatres and work within Devon-based productions.