You understand how: a look at the process of lighting design and costume design

One of the major reasons I chose to continue down the theatre design path is the collaboration engrained in the art form. The artists’ job is to come together and see how they can work to tell a story that focuses on one portion of humanity. It reminds me of when you were maybe younger and would get together with your friends to play some game you made up. You all would get together and brainstorm how the story you were playing would pan out. Theatre is you playing off each other to create something entertaining.

When I work as a lighting and costume designer it is me reading the script and analyze what the environment may feel like, what is the mood, whether any moments shift, and what is the theme. Then talking to the director and designers asking about their vision of the show. We then work together to create the visual aspect of the story. This process is something that is just so cathartic and unifying. Everyone puts a piece of themselves into the story.

For me, a lot of what I do as a lighting and costume designer is put myself into my design work. I draw inspiration from all parts of myself whether that be my Latine identity, my queerness, or just pop cultural references. All these parts affect my creative work.

The entire breadth of my thesis portfolio can be found at the link: https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/islandora/object/ui:dfolio