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Re-purpose, Up-cycle, Re-imagine
Can Costume Go Green?

Educational Session

In the face of a global climate crisis, theatre has the potential to positively shift cultural norms surrounding environmental sustainability. From plays depicting catastrophe to theatres governed by eco-friendly practice, the health of our environment can and should be considered in all facets of theatrical life. (Alex Durham)

A primary focus of the World Stage Design 2022 conference is ecoscenography. What can we as artists, creators, and makers do to consume less, pollute less, and yet maintain aesthetics that appeal to our audiences and serve the story we are telling?

In my presentation, I will offer some ways costume designers can contribute to the greening of the theatre by considering what something can be rather than only what it is. Re-purposing garments from stock, thrift stores and donations from one period to another is one way to give these garments a second (or third) life, saving money and keeping them out of the landfill in the meantime. I will solicit additional ideas from session participants and hope to assemble a resource guide to be made available to them on the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology (CITT/ICTS) website.

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

- look at existing garments for what they can become;
- see potential in the outdated and ugly;
- re-create one historical silhouette form another;
- reference the resource guide;
- contribute to the resource guide.

Presenters: Esther Van Eek

Esther Van Eek, a proud member of CITT/ICTS, USITT, and the Associated Designers of Canada, designs costumes, masks, and props in Canada and the USA. She holds a BFA in Visual Art and an MFA in Production Design. An award-winning designer and educator, Esther teaches production and design at the University of Windsor.