Theatre design major brings to life characters of Little Women

Huntington, Ind. "For Huntington College student Evelyn White, the addition of theatre department professor, Paula Trimpey, to the HC faculty in 2000 was a personal blessing. White is focusing her studies this year on costume design, aiding Trimpey with all theatre production costumes. With the opening of Little Women on Thursday, White's work will be seen by sold-out crowds from December 6-8.

White spent two weeks last summer with Trimpey at the award-winning Utah Shakespearean Festival, working in the costume shop. The experience provided many invaluable opportunities for White to polish her skills.

The costume shop, assisted by the craft shop, makes everything from design to finish including clothing, hats, armor, jewelry, wigs, badges, and shoes. It's incredible! said White, a junior theatre design and theatre performance double major from Knox, Ind.

The Utah Shakespearean Festival has won a Tony Award as best regional theatre in the country. White worked as a volunteer stitcher at the Festival, helping with basic sewing. Among her projects were a pirate's headscarf and a cloak for Prospero, a character in Shakespeare's The Tempest.

I think that all of the students in the theatre department should have summer internships and work experiences in theatre, said Trimpey. It is definitely a career that is built on experience and craft. So, helping Evie to have the experience with the Utah Shakespearean Festival was my pleasure. She is an incredibly talented and enthusiastic student and I know she will be successful.

It was challenging because my skills were limited, but this has motivated me to develop my skills this year at Huntington, said White, who also helped make the costumes for the fall musical Sideshow. She plans to work in costume design for the rest of the school year's theatre productions, including Children of Eden and Shadowlands. (Details...)

While at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, White had the privilege of meeting and observing the work of designer Janet Swenson. Swenson is working in design for the upcoming Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

These are the kinds of connections Professor Trimpey has, commented White. It is a privilege to study with her. In fact, she is the most innovative teacher I have ever known. She constantly finds new ways to do things. She is a great mentor and has been a big influence on my life.

Trimpey earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Costume Design from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Messiah College. She is currently working on a Masters in Religion through Concordia Theological Seminary. Trimpey taught theatre for eight years at Dixie College in Utah, and prior to that was the Costume Shop Manager at Pomona College in California. She enjoys spending her summers as a Cutter/Draper for the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City, Utah.

Theatre performance and theatre design/technology are among nearly 50 academic concentrations available at Huntington College. US News and World Report ranks Huntington College among the best liberal arts colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897, the four-year, Christian college is located on a contemporary campus in Huntington, Ind.