THR 261 Production Practicum - Builder and Designer

Course: THR 261 Production Practicum - Builder & Designer

Production: Prophecy

Term: Winter, 2018

Instructor: Glenda Graham

Student: Katherina Stegerman

Katherina was excited about learning the costume design process and honing her drawing and rendering skills as they pertain to theatre.  She was willing to learn and used this learning time quite well. She was professional, more often than not, in her interactions with the Director and fellow staff members but needed reminders to give both herself and others credit where it was due.  

Throughout the process there were discrepancies as to what jobs Katherina understood she was contracted to do. She was unable to complete her duties as the Props Builder and had Brad finish the job for her. She was also unaware that budgeting for costumes was solely her responsibility and became frustrated by it. This lies partly in communication with Mikayla, whose final project it was, and in her understanding of what each of the jobs entailed. Katherina was unable to be at the First Read and missed a critical opportunity to hear everyone’s roles and to clarify her own to the group.  A lesson here for Katherina is to be specific and to clarify, in writing, what she is and is not required to do for a project.

Her renderings were well executed and so were the garments themselves. She was willing to go to lengths to get them to look right, even going over-budget in order to do so. The communication of her decision to go over-budget was not well executed and she should understand in future to get permission from the producer before spending un-budgetted money.

There were several times when K would forget crucial pieces (drawings, costume pieces, etc.) at home in Airdrie, and even though it was not intentional, it did smack of disorganized unprofessionalism. It was good to see her own it, apologize , and move forward without letting it effect the entire process; an important attribute to have in an artistic process: instant forgiveness.

I’m glad to see her continue to design and be part of other projects, trusting that she will carry all that she has learned into each experience.

Thoughts: This was my first final project and the first time I was solely in charge of a build. This evaluation helps me understand the growth I experienced by continuing to be willing to design final projects.