search articles: 

   from the issue of March 6, 2008

     
 
  Watson parlays 6-week post into costume shop career

A perfect fit

 BY TROY FEDDERSON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

Ann Watson was destined to work behind the scenes.

 
SHOE WALL - Ann Watson, costume shop supervisor for the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, sorts shoes in a...
 SHOE WALL - Ann Watson, costume shop supervisor for the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, sorts shoes in a Temple Building storage room. Watson said the room always makes her feel like Imelda Marcos, a former first lady of the Philippines who was famous for an extensive shoe collection. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.

That's the only way to explain how a six-week costume sewing stint has grown into a 32-year career in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. Well, that and Watson really loves to sew and manage the Theatre and Film costume shop.

"I started in a temporary job in May 1975, sewing costumes for a Repertory touring show in the Nebraska Chautauqua," Watson said. "I sewed through May and June, then I found out the costume shop supervisor was leaving. So I applied."

Watson never really had a career before accepting the job at UNL. She graduated NU with a teaching degree in home economics, but she opted to stay home and raise her children after she married. When her children were old enough, Watson started to work as a substitute teacher. Through the years, sewing had always been a passion.

"I've always sewn things for myself and family," Watson said. "My husband is a farmer, so I was always patching things for him.

"And, I learned a lot through 4-H projects growing up. I even did tailoring while I was in college. My background is pretty well rounded in sewing."

At UNL, Watson oversees the costume shop, which maintains, organizes and expands (sometimes, grudgingly, culls) the Theatre and Film costume collection.

"We are responsible for getting the costumes for any given show ready by dress rehearsal time," Watson said. "We maintain all the costumes that we've made or purchased. And, we have them available for UNL productions (both theatre and an expanding slate of film) or rentals to other schools and organized productions."

For the most part, costumes for productions set in the last 20 years are found in area thrift shops. Other costumes are manufactured.

"We have a lot of fun working on costumes from the older periods," Watson said. "But, it's sometimes a real challenge to get modern fabrics to look like something from the turn of the century."

Janice Stauffer, who is a costume designer and a 22-year member of the theatre faculty, assists Watson. Watson also supervises graduate and undergraduate students who work on costume preparation.

Even though she has help, you won't find Watson passing assignments off to others and settling into her basement office in the Temple Building.

"I'm a working supervisor," Watson said. "I like to give our workers a project and I'll work alongside them. I can show them how to do things and that helps them pick up the techniques quicker. And, that way I get two things done at the same time."

Over the years, Watson has noticed that students coming into the shop have less sewing knowledge.

"Most come in now with some 4-H experience or they sewed for one semester in seventh grade," Watson said. "But that won't stop them from working here. We only ask for a willingness to come in and do what is asked."

Along with costumes, Watson also oversees costume props - such as shoes, watches, necklaces, etc.

"We try to give our workers a feel for what goes on in the entire show," Watson said. "Construction is important, but we also need to sew name tags into costumes and polish shoes. It's all important."

On the nights of shows, a student worker (or sometimes Watson) is on hand to help the particular student production with any costume issues that arise.

"We call that work babysitting," Watson said. "But there's always something that comes up."

During one of her babysitting shifts, an actor came in with a split seam in the crotch of his pants. Watson told him to take the pants off so she could do a quick repair.

"He just gave me this wide-eyed look," Watson said. "I finally told him to go into the laundry room and pass them to me through the door."

Watson said she has learned to love large productions. She also savors the occasional visit of any former student worker.

Her favorite production of all time? Well, that's easy.

"It's the most beautiful one," Watson said. "And, the most beautiful show is one that is done. That's our motto.

"Each production is wonderful in its own way. And, everyone in them wants to look the best, even when they are the bum. They rely on us for that."

While her work is on display throughout the year, Watson's dedication is relatively unknown outside theatre and film circles.

"It's difficult for us to put a spotlight on someone, like Ann, who normally tries to avoid it," said Paul Steger, director of the School of Theatre and Film. "She is truly a pro at what she does, keeping thousands of costume pieces in order and ready to wear.

"Ann has also been a caring and supportive influence on the many students who have stitched, draped or otherwise worked in the Temple Building, both in the costume shop and backstage. We are extremely lucky to have her."

For Watson, the costume shop is a place to do what she loves.

"I've always felt lucky working here," Watson said. "I get to do what I love everyday. I come in here to work with and teach students, and I get the chance to sew."



GO TO: ISSUE OF MARCH 6

NEWS HEADLINES FOR MARCH 6

iTunes U launches UNL portal
A perfect fit
Chinese reference materials available for campus use
Students help guide elementary science club
Babbitt to replace Reilly for April 22 Thompson Forum lecture
Comprehensive Plan for Improving Writing Skills
Fostering Faculty and Teaching Assistant Development as Writing Instructors
Improving Writing in History Survey Courses
ITLE (Year 4) - Initiative for Teaching and Learning Excellence 2008
OPEN HOUSE
Pippa White to open Women's Week events
Redesigning Business Communications Courses to Strengthen Writing Outcomes
Regents to consider MA in art history
Teaching Real-Life Writing Skills: A Food Science Blog
Writing in the Design Disciplines

733107S37972X