By Janice Still - Wardrobe Assistant

I have always liked sewing. Since a young age I have been making my own clothes and playing around on my mum's sewing machine. I studied Fashion and Apparel manufacture at Bentley TAFE which included millinery, lingerie, pattern cutting, textiles and garment construction. My first job was sewing at an upholstery manufacture business, where I then became a cutter. I then moved into motor trimming which I really enjoyed but the opportunity to work as a seamstress and cutter at a children's boutique in Attadale came my way.

I then went in to Theatre Workshop, which is a fancy dress hire business in Perth that
was later taken over by Apparition. I designed and made many costumes over my time there, which was a lot of fun and very fulfilling. Book week was always busy, and Medieval weddings and parties were very popular.

As the Wardrobe Assistant at Parkerville Steiner College, my job involves all wardrobe related activities to help make a theatre production come to life. With the support of the director/teacher and students, we brainstorm what we want the costumes to look like. I then source the costumes from Perth Waldorf school, op shops or make these myself. I then have to measure and fit the costumes as well as shoes to each student. I drive to Perth Waldorf School to pick from the costumes in the amazing wardrobe department where Eva and Sarah assist, and share their knowledge and experience with me.

During the performance, I must keep track of all the pieces, help with quick changes and assist with wigs, hair and makeup. I am also responsible for maintaining and cleaning the costumes when they are returned. I must be familiar with the storyline and study each character to get an idea of what will be appropriate for the students to wear. It is amazing how over just a few weeks the students’ characters develop. It has been amazing working with directors Jane and Austin who encourage the students to transform into their characters. When dress rehearsals commence and the costumes are on, the students come into their part and the play comes together and after many performances the whole production comes to life. The students' confidence grows over the weeks, so by the final show when family and friends come along, they will see the outcome of all their hard work.

The journey from first learning their lines to the final show, from pre show nerves to confident smiles and excitement when the show is over, is great to see and a pleasure to be apart of.

Janice Still