It started with COVID, an inherited sewing machine, and a rejection email.

The theater has been a home to me for as long as I can remember. As a child, there was nothing I loved more than standing on a stage in front of a crowd and have them listen to me (youngest child syndrome? Perhaps). Theatre was a way for me to understand the world as much as it was a way for the world to understand me. 

Years went by and there was not a single moment I wasn’t on stage or preparing to be on the stage. Then covid hit.

Forced to explore other hobbies, I turned to my sewing machine that had once belonged to my mother. With no skills, other than being able to thread a needle, I entrusted YouTube with my new education and slowly discovered a hidden talent.

When the world opened up again, I wanted nothing more than to get back on stage! I sent in self tape after self tape and was constantly met with rejection.

One of these rejections was for an amateur production of ‘ The Addams Family the musical’ by Cauldron performing arts in Amsterdam. The Addams Family is one of those franchises that makes me feel seen as a person, so naturally, I was devastated to learn that there was no part for me. The rejection email mentioned the production was in need of a costume designer and while I had never considered that path for myself before, it suddenly became clear that this was something I needed to do.

Costume design has offered me a new way of bringing stories to life and connecting with people.

My love for being on stage will never go. There are very few moments in my every day life, during which I get to experience real life magic, but connecting with a live audience is definitely one. However, the work that happens backstage has given me an entirely new perspective; I don’t merely get to experience the magic, I get to create it.

As a designer I am a magician.

I can’t wait to share more of my magic with the world.