COCA Spotlight: Costumes add personality to FSU's 'Little Pigs'

There are two sides to every story, especially when peering behind the curtain of a theatrical production. “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” proves this sentiment as Florida State University’s fall musical opening…

There are two sides to every story, especially when peering behind the curtain of a theatrical production. “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” proves this sentiment as Florida State University’s fall musical opening Nov. 21-24 in The Fallon Theatre.

Just as the wolf from this adaptation of a popular children’s story gets a voice, so does costume designer, Hayley Tara O’Brien. O’Brien is a second year MFA costume candidate at FSU who started as a performer, but soon uncovered a passion for technical theater.   

“I think clothes in general tell us a lot about who we are and how we choose to express ourselves,” says O’Brien. “I find the craft of costuming so intriguing and I’ve always been interested in using clothing to convey a character’s personality.” 

When she first arrived at FSU as a BA Theater major, O’Brien was immediately taken with costuming classes. O’Brien enjoys sporting a vintage vibe herself, sourcing her outfit inspiration from late 1960s and early 1970s trends. Now that she is a graduate student with limited time in her schedule, she says her weekly garb more typically constitutes a T-shirt and jeans. 

Last year, O’Brien was assistant costume designer for “Shakespeare in Love” and “Pinkalicious the Musical.” She’s excited to have taken the reins for “Three Little Pigs,” especially given her interest in crafting. This is in part due to her grandmother’s artistic influence while she was growing up. Together they would make clay beads and draw. Today, these aptitudes give O’Brien the ability to dream up pig noses and ears for this year’s production. 

“We’re dealing with turning people into pigs or creating this illusion of turning these actors into pigs,” says O’Brien. “[My team and I have to] figure out what materials we’re going to use and how can we get different shapes to get individual looks for each character.”

Mentored by FSU costuming professor, Martha Cooper, O’Brien quickly took to her classwork in craft, millinery, sketching and various other skills necessary to find success in the industry. As an undergraduate student, she appreciated Cooper’s support in this learning process as she developed and honed her potential as a costume designer.   

While costume design tends to conjure up images from popular television shows like “Project Runway,” O’Brien says there are many diverse fields and skills that costumers must possess. Whether it’s draping on a form or manipulating fabric to achieve a certain effect, there is a great deal of problem solving involved in every step along the way. 

“When you drape an actual costume piece you’re dealing with different parts of the body,” says O’Brien. “But for crafts you are dealing with odd shapes and how will this be molded on a person’s face or attached to a person’s costume. How do we make it comfortable for actors and not cumbersome.” 

Having been on both sides of the stage, O’Brien is sensitive to what a performer might be feeling inside a costume piece. She knows that actors are already juggling their dance moves, lines and backstage hubbub, so she makes it a goal to have the costuming be like a second skin rather than another worry. This means eight or more hours spent in the costume shop where she pores over classwork and production prep. 

Sewing machines and drafting tables line FSU’s shop. O’Brien says each student claims a few drawers and tabletops where they spread out their work. The tables are wide enough to roll out samples, and have a foam top made for designers to pin fabrics to. The more intricate machines for embroidery and stitching are among O’Brien’s favorite tools, while the craft room holds wonders large and small.

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