We had the good fortune of connecting with Pamela Workman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pamela, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
The main thing that comes to mind is that costumes are not “just clothes”. Inside and outside the industry, Costume Designers and Technicians hear that costuming is easy because they are “just clothes” and “homemakers/hobbyists do it all the time”. However, that is an oversimplification of what it is that we do. Costuming is years of education, training, and developed skills. After reading the script, designers research both modern and historical fashion, not just the looks but also the whys of characters choosing what is in their closet. We research what is happening in that time, in that geographical area, in that political climate, in that person’s life, in the religious lifestyle (if there is one), and so forth that all culminate together into one character’s look. THEN the designing begins. Designing is a collaborative art. Designers do not get to say “this is what I want, give this to me”. We work with an entire production team of directors, choreographers, lighting designers, sound designers, scenic designers, and props designers. Once we all agree and receive the go-ahead from the director, then the costume design goes into the Costume Shop.

Costume Designers are not the ones that build the costumes. The Costume Shop Manager runs the shop that should have the personnel of stitchers, dyers, craftspeople, first-hand, cutter drapers, wardrobe crew head, wig stylist, wardrobe crew members, and many more. Depending on the size of the shop and the size of the production will determine the amount of personnel.

While costumes are being built or modified in the shop, the Costume Designer is finding sources: shopping locally and online, attending fittings for each actor per costume look, researching hair and makeup for each character, creating the paperwork to assist the crew, communicating with the production team and the costume shop, and adding decor/notions to costumes for the shop to proceed.

Once the costumes are finished and moved into the dressing rooms, dress rehearsals begin. The number of dress rehearsals is up to the production company, dress rehearsals occur right before the show opens to the public. It is at this time that costumes are added into the mix of lights, set, sound, and actors who have all been in technical rehearsals for days before. I typically have 3 dress rehearsals. The very first is the roughest with new elements into the mix as well as testing out quick changes for the first time, and by the third, the crew and actors are running smoothly and most of the nit-picky notes are done. Each night of the dress rehearsal, costume designers watch the show and take notes as well as receive notes from the director. Notes are then completed in the costume shop on the next day.

Once the show opens, designers move on to the next, or they are often working on multiple productions at once. Costume Designers and Technicians are needed not just in theater but also film, movies, parks, cruise ships, uniforms, dance, opera, video game design, and animation.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Oh goodness. I’m from a line of female stitchers and cake decorators. Not because they wanted a creative or artistic outlet, but out of necessity. I am from a line of Appalachian farmers. All of them working the land or in the nearby industrial plants or a combination. Stitching and baking were a necessity for my great-grandmother and grandmother. My great-grandmother stitched at bridal shops, decorated cakes, sewed for all of her children, quilted, and remained a constant encouraging voice in my career path right up until her passing in 2021. My grandmother made my church & pageant dresses, taught me to enjoy baking, and loved to host. My mother created my regalia for our travels to PowWows as she was also a Native American jeweler and I was a dancer. I absolutely understand that by looking at my picture…….Native dancer……absolutely out of the left field. My mom insisted on raising us with Native sensibilities and she a bit of a gypsy soul. My stepdad insisted on Baptist. My grandmother believed in the nondenominational Church of Christ. At 15, I started working for The Castle of Muskogee, Oklahoma. That’s where Elspeth The Milkmaid was created and where she thrived as a character. I like to think all of the variety developed my thirst for learning and my curiosity about the variety of humans and cultures in our world.

Growing up in Appalachia and with a lower income, college wasn’t so much promoted for women. And college for the arts, for costumes, basically laughable and unheard of. But I knew in 4th grade that I wanted to be an educator. I thought it would be for math or history until my Freshman year of college I took an Intro to Theatre course and fell in love. I started volunteering in the costume shop where I met my first mentor, Kozy Hamilton. This energetic, little ball of compassionate chaos pushed me and encouraged me to succeed no matter the obstacles. In graduate school, I met my second mentor, Patricia Mason. Realistically blunt and extremely talented, she showed me that through all parts of life we learn. In my final year of grad school, Lloyd Cracknell became my professor and he was the entire reason I was able to finish grad school with my head held high.

I am most excited when my students feel accomplished. When I am working with an amazing production team that is collaborative and positive. When actors become excited and inspired by their costumes. When I have a new commission and the customer is over the moon to have their order. When a production opens and I know that my artwork has now become a connected memory to everyone in the audience. When I share the adventures of life and art with my family and it inspires conversation and curiosity. I’m an excitable person. Life and art are not easy but they are absolutely universally amazing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh!! Well. One day has to be spent hiking and playing in the waters of Soap Creek Paper Mill Ruins. Historic. Tranquil. And oddly in Atlanta and not the mountains. Then need to finish the day by eating outside…..so perhaps at Fish Tales restaurant on Lake Lanier.

A day of visiting Fernbank Natural History Museum and then food at The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant.

A shopping day at The Mall of Georgia and Fine Fabrics. Food could be at The Mall because…….mall food. Definitely need some Auntie Ann’s cinnamon sticks. Tin Lizzy’s has some great tacos and margaritas.

Speaking of tacos, Hankook Taqueria is very yummy. Or Daddy O’Brien Ice Cream Parlor has some well balanced alcohol infused desserts.

I quite enjoy bowling or playing pool. I am horrible at the game but it’s really about the company. Easily do this right here in Gainesville and then to Atlas Pizza and Downtown Drafts on the Square.

If they don’t mind the jaunt, it is only a 2 hour drive to Cherokee, North Carolina. Must visit the swimming area, museum, wonderful artisans, and hiking trails. Plus stop at Paul’s Diner for Native fry bread with chili.

My kids would request one day of arcades and gaming. Something like Launch in Dawsonville. Then over to Freddy’s Frozen Custard for some amazing fries and a chili dog on a texas toast bun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To start my children for being cuddly, positive, and precocious adventurers. My partner for his stubborn insistence on my skills, for always being there to light my fire, and for consistently inspiring me in so many ways.
To my mentors, Kozy Hamilton and Patricia Mason, for constantly pushing me through my years of undergraduate and graduate school. And Lloyd Cracknell for never giving up on my education.
To my closest family and friends for inspiring my constant need to know all the things.

Website: www.originallypamela.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamela.workman2006/

Other: Elspeth The Milkmaid Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Elspeth-The-Milkmaid-289409474535648/ Gainesville Theatre Alliance in connection with Brenau Univeristy and University of North Georgia Gainesville https://gainesvilletheatrealliance.org/

Image Credits
Design: The Siren from “The Odyssey” photo credit AJ Reynolds. Hair and Makeup design and application Hannah Humphrey. Design: Belle and The Beast from “Beauty and The Beast the Musical” photo credit AJ Reynolds. Design: Don Pedro from “Much Ado About Nothing” was built by Aimee Johnson. Photo credit AJ Reynolds. Research & Build: Bilbo Baggins cosplay. Build: Woodland-themed baby shower cake. bought ceramic animals and made a keepsake paper mache tree. Log cake with edible candy grass/mushrooms/flowers/moss. Research & Build: Sarah Sanderson cosplay bodice ProCreate Rendering: Kim Possible cosplay artist drawing Acrylic paint and pen rendering design: Belle rendering of costume design

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