Costume design a perfect fit
Award-winning artist works on upcoming drama
October 17, 2006
Kristie Schwanebeck
On the bottom floor of the Vernon Strombeck Centre is a room unknown to most Trinity Western University students. Tucked in the corner of the building, the small room is home to many of TWU’s original theatrical creations, as well as the school’s resident costume designer Nicole Bach.
While she was in the midst of preparing for TWU’s upcoming drama, The Importance of Being Earnest, Mars’ Hill met with Bach to discuss her budding career in design. Although she first greeted me with a quiet demeanour, it was soon replaced by a bubbling energy that was evident in her passion for her work.
Starting out as an actress, Bach’s love for the theatre began in high school. When she was 17, her interest in costuming began to develop. While studying at TWU for a year after high school, Bach became attracted to the action behind the scenes. Her love of history and the role that clothing played in it started to shape the direction she would take. Rather than experiencing a light-bulb moment when she knew that she was made for costuming, she said the interest slowly snuck up on her.
After studying at TWU, Bach went on to obtain her degree at the University of British Columbia where she embraced her true passion for costume design. Throughout her educational experience, Bach designed for many theatrical works with various companies, including the UBC drama department, Vancouver’s Bard on The Beach, and Pacific Theatre.
While working with Pacific Theatre Bach won the prestigious Jessie Richardson Theatre Award this past summer for outstanding costume design on the production of A Farndale Christmas Carol.
Describing the moment when she accepted the award, I caught a glimpse of just how surreal the recognition has been for her.
“It was really thrilling,” she said. “It was really, really exciting. Kind of a bit mind-blowing.”
In light of her recent achievement, I asked Bach what she feels she brings to the table that separates her from other designers out there.
“Blood, sweat, and tears,” she responded initially, adding, “I think that it’s my sensitivity. Sensitivity to the needs of the director, the character, and the actor.”
In designing costumes, Bach said that it is her mission to best reconcile the desires of the director, the demands of the character, and the apprehensions of the actor.
The task is never just a job to her, she explained. Through every costume that she creates, she imparts a bit of herself.
“[Costume design] allows me to play. In many ways it’s just playing. I get to actually use my imagination. It’s like inventing people. There’s something really neat about that and you see a little bit of yourself in different characters.”
The Importance of Being Earnest, featuring Bach’s designs, runs from Oct. 25-28 and Nov. 1-4 at Freedom Hall. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
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