Today we're catching up with Allie Downs, who graduated from our program in 2019 with a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts, Emphasis in Design and Production focusing on costume design. Allie currently owns her own alterations business, which has given her the opportunity to tailor some pretty special garments—some of which you might have even seen on TV! We talked about fashion, costume design, and all things clothing.
Today we're catching up with Allie Downs, who graduated from our program in 2019 with a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts, Emphasis in Design and Production focusing on costume design. Allie currently owns her own alterations business, which has given her the opportunity to tailor some pretty special garments—some of which you might have even seen on TV! We talked about fashion, costume design, and all things clothing.
During this episode, Allie and I talked a lot about her work on our fall 2019 production of Little Women, which was presented in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. To learn more about that show and get a taste of Allie's designs, check out this feature story on the musical: https://news.olemiss.edu/ole-miss-theatre-brings-little-women-big-stage/
The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit: https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm
From the Department of Theater and Film at the University of Mississippi, this is Stage & Screen.
Katherine Stewart
Hello everyone and welcome back to Stage & Screen. I'm your host, Katherine Stewart and my guest today is Allie Downs.
Katherine Stewart
Allie graduated from our program and costume design in December of 2019 and now, among other professional ventures, she has her own alterations business, which has afforded her the opportunity to work on some very special garments.
Katherine Stewart
Some of them you might have even seen on TV.
Katherine Stewart
We had a really fun conversation, basically just talking about clothes, so stick around.
Katherine Stewart
Hi Allie, thank you for joining me. How are you doing today?
Allie Downs
I'm fantastic, how are you doing?
Katherine Stewart
I'm doing great thank you, thank you so I really appreciate you taking the time.
Katherine Stewart
I think this is going to be a fun conversation if you wouldn't mind just to kick us off. Tell us who you are and where you're from and how you got into theater.
Katherine Stewart
And I know that's a bigger question, so we'll get into it more.
Allie Downs
Later.
Allie Downs
No, of course.
Allie Downs
Uhm, so of course my name is Allie Downs. I'm from Booneville, Mississippi, NE Mississippi up. So I actually graduated in costume design at Oldness in December 2019.
Allie Downs
Currently I work as an alteration specialist at David's bridal and now I own my own business alterations by Ali which I've gotten to do a lot of fun. Various clientele including like.
Allie Downs
Patchable spreads.
Allie Downs
Just ladies of all ages. And UM, so yeah, I was very honored when you contacted me and asked me to come be interviewed with Oldness and everything in the apartment. Yeah this is very exciting.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah, so I know one thing that's so interesting about you, so you had a degree in fashion design and merchandising before you came to the university and then decided to go into costume design.
Katherine Stewart
What motivated that decision?
Allie Downs
So my my background. I knew from like whenever I was very little but I wanted to do something with fashion something very different which is very different from what my family does because like both of my parents are in the medical field so everybody just assumed and I was like no, absolutely not. I want to do fashion. I want to play dress up for my for my career.
Allie Downs
Quickly so so whenever like I graduated stuff I of course I went to North East and fashion merchandising and then I transferred to Mississippi State and I worked in the department as well.
Allie Downs
So my emphasis was in merchandising and then I also have minors in business administration and marketing and whenever I was.
Allie Downs
There actually worked in the department in the Fashion department for one of my professors, so I was an event planner. I was administrative assistant.
Allie Downs
And UM, did like some marketing and stuff for this Center for Retail and Cotton Product Development. So what led to that?
Allie Downs
With event planning and things so I actually ended up having to get a speaker come to one of our bits that one of the senior showcases that I was assisting in planning and.
Allie Downs
Her name is actually Jill Haley. She actually graduated from Ole Miss. Yeah, I'm not sure what year exactly but she actually works with the American Ballet Theatre as they come.
Allie Downs
Makeup professional for, like the principal dancers and stuff. So it was very interesting getting to meet her, and that's kind of how this all started.
Allie Downs
And then because I remember, I did that in like the that May of like 2016 was whenever I'd planned that event. And then I went off and I was doing.
Allie Downs
Internship with Kohl's at a very large department store like I was like managing like 70 associates and assisting with.
Allie Downs
Of course, scheduling all of the managerial duties along with working in each department. I mean, I really enjoyed the internship and I remember they they gave me like job offers and stuff.
Allie Downs
But I was like you know what this is because I was at the time where I was like close to graduating and I was like, you know.
Allie Downs
I like this and I could do this as a career, but I feel like there's something more like there's something else where I can feel like I'm being creative or like being more fulfilled. I guess, so to speak. 'cause like I've always, I've always loved any of my art classes, anything.
Allie Downs
Like that, so that's that's what pursued me or helped me to end up how I ended up contacting Carey Hanson and then getting all this information on the department and all kinds of things like, that's that that's how that's how it all started to begin with. And then, like I got to come do a tour of Ole Miss in the Theatre department.
Allie Downs
Costume shop and everything and I got to meet Carey and Donna and it like honestly like I remember I was like so scared being in there 'cause I'm just like Don has worked on movie sets. Carey’s worked in all this theater stuff. I don't know what I'm doing.
Allie Downs
It it was, it was a little bit scary because it was a very.
Allie Downs
Different path from what I had been on.
Allie Downs
'cause I mean.
Allie Downs
And like I said, I knew I want to do something creative, but also at the same time.
Allie Downs
It it was like going into the unknown it was. It was a a facet of the same thing that it does.
Allie Downs
It is based with fashion and wardrobe clothing and things like that. However it was more creative artistic and it was more.
Allie Downs
Behind the scenes type thing.
Allie Downs
And it is a very different path, but.
Allie Downs
I was so happy that I was able to go to Ole Miss because and what drew me to the program was that in the costume shop with the costume students like you get to pick and choose what you want to do because there's so many different things like I've gotten to work. Of course, in designing, but also tailoring being a first hand.
Allie Downs
I've got to do painting and dyeing. I've gotten to do wig ventilation and builds with wigs and all kinds of stuff, so that's that's what drew me to the program because I remember I kept asking Carey I was like, do I need to get a masters in this or was almost be sufficient? I think it was a very different.
Allie Downs
Path of me knowing about it because like I said already, I'm graduated in May 2017 with a bachelors in fashion merchandising. So I was like digital masters. Or can I just do this and try to get?
Katherine Stewart
Right, right?
Allie Downs
As much experience, and that's that's what that's what she got or what she told me. So I was like, ummm also like if you wanted masters it's more so like if you want to teach from what she told me so I was like OK so as long as you're a hard worker and.
Allie Downs
You're really passionate about what you're doing, and you have the experience and are willing. I'm just very, very passionate and hardworking like you can succeed because the more that I was in the program and the more that I did like internships and connections with different companies and stuff, it is a very small world.
Allie Downs
It's like like 'cause literally, Carey knows everybody.
Speaker 3
Huh?
Allie Downs
And and like it's, it's just. It's just so interesting like there's connections everywhere. So having those connections and then also the background like that, it makes such a big difference.
Allie Downs
And so I was. I was very excited to do the program and everything and I got so much experience and developed so many skills that I didn't even hadn't even thought of before.
Allie Downs
So I'm I'm very thankful for that and like I said, I'm just ready for theater and everything to.
Allie Downs
Open back up.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah, no kidding. So you talked about the creativity of being in costume design. What do you think are some of the differences between fashion design and costume design? Obviously they overlap in a lot of ways, but they're very different.
Allie Downs
No yes, of course. They're very, very different. So like I said, I wasn't merchandise thing, but I know like for the students that were in design, they had to do like collections, so to speak.
Allie Downs
And what they would do that they would take inspiration, which I mean I've I've got to do some things like that, but mine was more business based.
Allie Downs
So what fashion is on? It's more about.
Allie Downs
Consumers and what's your market audience is? And then.
Allie Downs
Everything on like a much larger scale, whereas when you're doing costume is on, it's all about the specific character and it's a very collaborative thing, and you're 'cause you're bringing the character to life you're working with not only the script or the book or whatever you're working off of, but you're also working with the actor working with the whole team.
Allie Downs
The director.
Allie Downs
And the scenic everything because you have to make sure not only that you're able to bring the character to life, but and communicate that on stage, but also that it's in a visible way that you can tell who the character is, but also.
Allie Downs
It it tells a story about who they are.
Allie Downs
So it's very.
Allie Downs
Getting into the psychology and like the person of who they are and what makes them tick and also.
Allie Downs
It's like a lot of the times, like during the meetings and stuff with the actors like you want to have conversations like a different research that you've done, especially if it's based off of a actual person.
Allie Downs
Like whenever I got to codesign Assassins like we all did. So so much research on all the different characters. So like we were each like communicating like different tidbits of it.
Allie Downs
Information that would help translate that to the stage and then of course.
Allie Downs
Stay being on the stage makes a big difference in how costumes and everything or constructed because you know a lot of the times, the further away you are. It has to be more larger than life was like.
Allie Downs
When I brought the deci
Allie Downs
Since it was in the 4th of May, it was in the UM.
Allie Downs
Which one was it?
Katherine Stewart
Was that Fulton Chapel?
Allie Downs
Yeah, it was in Fulton. I couldn't think of and I was like I knew it all comes like it's not four. It's starts to ask anyone. Yeah it wasn't. It was in Fulton.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah.
Allie Downs
And uhm, 'cause I mean the closest people are like 20 at least 20 feet away. And then so you've got to make sure if there's any distressing or anything on the clothing like there was in a lot of the characters, it was making sure that everything shows up from a distance and and then whenever I got to do.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah.
Allie Downs
Little Women which was like, uh.
Allie Downs
For the Ford stage. It was everybody was at least about 40 feet away, so it was making sure, like the little calico prints were extremely, extremely large so they showed up and you could see the different prints and everything because a lot of things on stage get lost in translation as compared to like.
Allie Downs
When you're in fashion.
Allie Downs
'cause for consumers for the everyday not everybody wants to wear quite larger than life things unless it's like on a runway or things like that. So it's just it's. It's a very different.
Speaker 3
Step.
Allie Downs
Effective and you've still got to think of who the target audience is and who you're marketing it for. And like, who's actually visually seeing the subject at hand.
Katherine Stewart
So talking about Little Women, I know one decision you made was to not put the character of Jo March in Pants, which is something that has often been done as a way to show her independence and tomboyish nature.
Katherine Stewart
Could you tell us a little bit about that decision and then just talk some more about your designs for that show in general?
Allie Downs
Yeah, so uhm.
Allie Downs
Honestly, 'cause 'cause the time period was like the 1860s, so I wanted to try to stay true to the time period at everything and a lot of the a lot of women in North America.
Allie Downs
They didn't. They were not even allowed to wear pants like even in the 1920s, like it didn't really become a thing till like.
Allie Downs
Right?
Allie Downs
Speaker 3
Yeah.
Allie Downs
Decades later, where it was the norm, how I guess, like after the during the wars and everything like that when ladies went to work. So what I wanted to do was actually have her.
Allie Downs
Represent the so I had the different March sisters actually represent different seasons is how I went about that. So I had Jo who's the main character represent fall because she's everything has a different. Like I said everything with costumes and he always had these concepts and it gets translated.
Allie Downs
On the stage, and like I said, it's very collaborative effort. So with Joe, I had her represent fall or autumn.
Allie Downs
And so she had that kind of fall palette within, like the warm neutrals, Reds, golden yellows, things like that.
Speaker 3
Huh?
Allie Downs
But because she also represented the changing of the times, 'cause she was very different as compared to her other sister, she she was very forward thinking and.
Allie Downs
Wanted more more out of life and then what was I guess was the status quo for her.
Allie Downs
But yeah, as I was, it was very exciting. Like I said, I had all the other girls represent seasons like Beth was winter.
Allie Downs
Due to her cheerful demeanor.
Allie Downs
And then Meg was springing because she was the I guess, I guess like the spring chicken like she was the the the sister that was going through all the changes first.
Allie Downs
And then of course I had Amy, who's a very girly girl represents summer 'cause she was like all about summer love like romance. Things like that.
Katherine Stewart
And she's totally in bloom, right? Yeah.
Speaker 3
So.
Allie Downs
Oh yeah, yeah, all the all the pink all the pink but yeah so with everything with every character comes a lot of research work like historic historic research, but then also you get to use that and kind of transition that into your different thought.
Speaker 3
Huh?
Allie Downs
Process and like how you want to approach it. Like how I approach it with CS and so it was like.
Allie Downs
Taking actual pictures and different patterns and stuff and basing that off of historic garments and then translating that to where it would work modern day.
Allie Downs
But then also in a way that it would translate on stage and then also accommodate all the wardrobe changes that needed to be done.
Allie Downs
Because the girls like they were in these huge petticoats, these very larger than life silhouettes no one used to wearing that these days. So it was a it was a very big adjustment for the actors.
Allie Downs
And just making sure that they're comfortable in the outfits as well, but then also like I said, it has to accommodate wardrobe changes, 'cause like there were different times that, for instance, like the lady who played Amy, she had to do a complete wardrobe change in about like a minute and a half like there were.
Allie Downs
There's crazy things going on backstage clothes being through.
Allie Downs
Own those like lots, lots of hands, hands on things and stuff like that. And there was one time where I think there was like probably about six or eight different people doing complete wardrobe changes.
Speaker 3
Alf.
Allie Downs
For the second act, going into like the storybook or that they had to get back into their main costumes. So it was.
Allie Downs
It was very crazy, but it was very exciting. At the same time. And of course Lydia, who played Jo. She never left the stage.
Allie Downs
So it was trying to make sure that she was able to have all these wardrobe changes that contribute to like the changing of the times and like that were best suited for the different times of year and everything.
Allie Downs
But she couldn't change upstage. So like we had it where she had like wrap skirts she could take.
Allie Downs
Often changing to and like different different layering pieces and accessories, 'cause that's that's what really things that were impactful enough to tell a story and make a difference to the viewers eye where they didn't. They didn't even realize that there were points and times that she didn't leave the stage.
Speaker 3
Wow.
Katherine Stewart
So, and that's a whole nother level of design, right? Not just the creative aspect, but like the logistical aspect.
Allie Downs
No, yeah, it's it's a. It's a big thing 'cause it's a huge problem solving thing because yeah, it not only affects how the actor changes on stage or anything like that, but it also effects the construction of the garment. Sure, and like for instance, Meg, there was a time in the play where she was.
Allie Downs
She was pregnant. She was she was showing and so her skirt had to be adjusted to accommodate that. So 'cause whenever like I said, it does affect the hill.
Allie Downs
And so her skirt had to be leap, and it had to be a way that it could be brought up and then put it back down and just just.
Allie Downs
There's a lot of different things that go into not only the designing, but also the problem solving and is just having to work together with the stitchers and with the costume shop management.
Allie Downs
And everybody make sure things get done in a timely manner, but then it's everything accommodating. What all needs to be done logistically for the stage.
Katherine Stewart
You've had the opportunity to work a lot lately with Asya Branch, who was Miss Mississippi Miss USA and recently competed in the Miss Universe pageant. What all did you do for her and what was that experience like?
Allie Downs
Yes, so I've.
Allie Downs
Actually, I've known Asya for a very long time. She's actually from Booneville.
Speaker 3
Huh?
Allie Downs
So like we we have like close, close, knit, family and everything from her older brother and my older brother being good friends. And then.
Allie Downs
Her older brother. That's my age. We were always really good friends and so like always.
Allie Downs
I said I used to do pageants as well, and then so Asya would sometimes like borrow some my stuff.
Allie Downs
So like I've known her forever and so this has just been a very exciting journey for her and I was just glad to be a part of it.
Allie Downs
So that's that's one good one. Very very good thing that's come out of COVID too is that I was able.
Allie Downs
Be in my hometown and when she contacts me I was like and asked me to help her with alterations. I was like, of course so.
Allie Downs
So I got to do all actually got to do like all of her wardrobe that she was wearing like the week of the pageant for Miss USA because they have to be there for like 7 to 10 days or so.
Allie Downs
Wow.
Allie Downs
Speaker 3
Here.
Allie Downs
So I got to do of course like her competition wear and everything like that as well. So it was. It was a very exciting thing.
Allie Downs
'cause I mean it. I mean, of course it was a lot of hard work having to do anything from what she was wearing daily during the competition.
Allie Downs
'cause I mean she has to look presentable at all times and then also like got to do her interview, outfit her swimwear. And of course her evening gown which was just just fantastic. Getting to see it.
Speaker 3
Wow.
Allie Downs
Brought to life on stage and everything so yeah, it was very very exciting and I was we were all just yelling at the TV screen like whenever she wonders like what like Oh my gosh 'cause I as I remember telling.
Allie Downs
I was like whenever whenever she left I got the competition. I was just like you know, you're gonna do fantastic and I'm like you you really have a good chance at winning this whole thing.
Allie Downs
'cause I remember her she said that her goal was at least to just getting the like the top top ten, top five or whatever, and she'd be happy. And I was like.
Allie Downs
And then she walked away with the crown and we were just. We were so ecstatic about it. So yeah.
Allie Downs
And yeah, she actually got to compete in Miss Universe about a week or two ago and she got. She got to be in the top 21. So that was very exciting as well, something.
Speaker 3
Amazing.
Allie Downs
She's she's gonna go so far in her career, so it's just very exciting to be a little part of it.
Katherine Stewart
So what, if any, skills did you learn in the program in the department that allowed you to? I don't know. Help her with that or do those alterations or be a part of her journey.
Allie Downs
Yeah, I mean yeah.
Allie Downs
Yeah, for sure. So May of course like being in the department, I mean.
Allie Downs
'cause whenever you're working on different shows and stuff, you get to be a stitcher. Yet to collaborate with the designer.
Allie Downs
I mean there. Like I said, there's all different facets of what's going on in the background, like during the costume shop and preparing for the shows and everything. 'cause like I said, whenever I design Little Women that was like a 10 month process going.
Allie Downs
From the design to purchasing, renting and then actually having the construction of the garment also in house with all the different other students that were in the costume shop.
Allie Downs
So it's a very collaborative process. Like I said, you get to work on all the different facets of it, but then all.
Allie Downs
So like whenever you're working like I said, whatever. If you're renting, especially if you're renting costumes or if we're using existing costings that we have in stock, there's a lot of alterations that have to be done, whether it be Hemming, whether it be taking in, letting out anything like that, and so like whenever we construct garments you always.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah, yeah.
Allie Downs
Make sure to leave seam allowance so that it can be altered for future actors or future uses. That way it's not just like a one time thing and so of course like doing alterations within the department definite.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah.
Allie Downs
Really, just just so wing every day and helped a lot and help me with my skill obviously and dumb.
Allie Downs
Then like whenever I was at Ole Miss, also did an internship with Julia Ray designs, which is in downtown Oxford, so I got that's how I actually started with like bridal alterations and things like.
Allie Downs
That because she, she did do a lot of bridal alterations and so I got to assist her. That's how that's how really how I got into doing like more.
Allie Downs
I guess like couture style garments. And then I got to do that. I got to do like bridal and some of like the nicer garments like that whenever I was in the costume shop and.
Speaker 3
Umm?
Allie Downs
Of course, like like I said that that translates into any theater program that you're in. Sure, because I remember there's been times or east.
Speaker 3
Sure.
Speaker 3
Allie Downs
Some do alterations. You have to basically take, deconstruct, take apart the whole garment. So in that way just basically reconstruct it so it fits the actor. If it's the person that's going to be where.
Allie Downs
In it, and I mean.
Allie Downs
I'll be honest, that's that's a normal part of my day now.
Allie Downs
Oh, it seems it seems like it's a very daunting thing, but like just having the skills and just like I said, I right now I'm basically sewing like at least every day every other day.
Allie Downs
Like
Allie Downs
Allie Downs
So I mean it's it's just keeping up the skills, so that's that's what I've been very appreciative during this time. Even though I haven't been able to work in theater.
Allie Downs
I have still very highly.
Allie Downs
Increased my skill level and sewing in like my comfort in doing so as well. So it's it's every something good can always come out of something bad so.
Katherine Stewart
Sure, sure, and what about some? I don't know internship experiences or things that you did during the summers.
Allie Downs
Yeah, so like I said, I whenever I was at Ole Miss I did work with Julia Wright designs and then also.
Speaker 3
Uh-huh
Allie Downs
What year was it 2019? Yes, I also did an internship. Well, I guess it was a professional job.
Speaker 3
So.
Allie Downs
It was at the lyric Rep in Utah, so that was that was a very exciting experience. I actually worked at the first hand. Some of the other costume students got to go as well. Mackenzie and Emily.
Speaker 3
Yeah.
Katherine Stewart
Nice nice.
Allie Downs
So we were all they said they worked as stitchers, so it was it was very exciting getting to it. Be a collaborative process. 'cause we got to work to.
Allie Downs
Together and then also miss meet so many other people in the like, the realm of theater and meet different designers.
Allie Downs
And of course, like I said, like Carey Carey was there, as well as a designer. So it's just it. It was very exciting, like getting to do shows that were.
Allie Downs
Going from.
Allie Downs
I guess like page to stage like being.
Allie Downs
On on the wall.
Allie Downs
As designs to stage like very, very rapidly, very quickly because I know we did put up at least four shows that summer.
Wow.
Allie Downs
Yeah, so yeah, it's it's a. It's a lot in like 8 to 10 weeks. It's it's. It's a lot.
Katherine Stewart
It's a lot in the summer.
Katherine Stewart
Sure.
Allie Downs
But I mean like I. I mean, whenever people programs like that. Of course like they they've been working on it for years.
Allie Downs
So like whenever you get there, you hit the ground running right you. Also, if you work like I think we were working like 9:00 to 6:00 every day and then sometimes we would come in on the weekend or whatever but it was.
Allie Downs
Whenever you're there, you're working and like you always want it to be a very positive environment. Everyone got along very well, 'cause that that makes a big difference on of course, like morale for the room, but also productivity.
Katherine Stewart
Sure.
Allie Downs
And like wanting to be there, but like I said, it's a very exciting experience just to getting to work on all these different shows and have a new show.
Allie Downs
Put up like every.
Allie Downs
Week and a half or so ago.
Katherine Stewart
So do you have any advice for students coming into the department who want to study design?
Allie Downs
Yeah, so like what I would say. Like I said I have a very non traditional.
Allie Downs
Sir.
Allie Downs
Route that I took in it, but like I said whenever I was pursuing it I was I was very.
Allie Downs
Maybe not.
Allie Downs
Not so scared, but like very anxious of what I was doing.
Speaker 3
Huh?
Allie Downs
'cause I need. I knew I wanted to do something different than what I had already gone to school for and graduated.
Allie Downs
I needed I could do it, but I felt like there was there was something a little bit lacking. Like I I was like I could do something else that's within the realm of that, but it's just more creative, it's more fulfilling and that's that's exactly what I found. So like.
Allie Downs
Just don't be afraid to go after something that's you're unsure.
Allie Downs
Of or that to take a different route, because regardless of, regardless of anything like or what anybody says and the time is going to pass anyway, so you might as well make your use of it.
Allie Downs
And what I learned like if whenever you're continuing to like live in fear of something or be anxious about it, but.
Allie Downs
You keep thinking about it and you want to do it like that. That's exactly what you should be doing like that is your calling. I love it.
Allie Downs
And I I feel like that's what I've found pursuing costume design 'cause.
Allie Downs
I mean, it's opened so many doors. For me it's opened so many different opportunities and I'm just excited to for where this will lead in my future once everything starts opening back up and everything. So yeah, I said don't don't be afraid, it's like whenever you're in school like always, always.
Allie Downs
Ask what you can be doing to help and don't be afraid to ask just to ask questions and ask for guidance.
Allie Downs
Because I mean, that's that's what your mentors are there for. Don't be. Don't be afraid to go to their office and have a cry or have a talk or whatever.
Allie Downs
Because I mean that they want you to succeed and that's that's what I really got out of the department would.
Allie Downs
I appreciated so much is because I still talk to different professors in the department they they want to check in and make sure you're doing well.
Allie Downs
And make sure like if there's any way they can help you with your career, they want they want to assist you and make sure that everything like your goals are being met and so it's a very.
Allie Downs
The It's the very family oriented like aspect of the program, and so I was. I was very excited to have that and just still be in contact with a lot of the students and everything. So it's it's it's great.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah, OK, so last question.
Katherine Stewart
Do you have any favorite memories from your time at UM or in the department that you would be willing to share?
Allie Downs
Oh, I was honestly I was looking at pictures the other day, which of course like I love love, love designing Little Women, but what was I would have which is just like a fun memory was whenever it was.
Allie Downs
Whenever we were designing Little Women like it just started snowing outside, which of course we didn't get out and we didn't get out of school, but it was just fun.
Allie Downs
Because we all. All the professors like all the costume shop just went outside. We were all playing in the snow, just having just having some fun like we even got Mary and Donna to go out there. It was a lot of fun.
Allie Downs
No.
Allie Downs
Allie Downs
And just now I love that.
Allie Downs
Having just taking time to, I mean, that's what it's all about. Is having a good positive, hard working environment and making sure everyone is doing their job and succeeding, but also making sure everyone is happy and cheerful. And so it was fun just to sometimes just take.
Allie Downs
Come out of the data, just just have a moment to play and like I said that that was a lot of fun 'cause it looks so that was it.
Allie Downs
Just started snowing and it was so we. I still had pictures of it. It was just a fun little fun little memory.
Speaker 3
Oh
Speaker 3
No.
Katherine Stewart
I love that. Thank you.
Allie Downs
Thank you.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah, and thank you, Allie. This has been such a fun conversation.
Allie Downs
No, of course.
Allie Downs
Like I said, thank you for having me like this is just such a great honor. And uhm, I say I'm looking forward to what the future brings.
Allie Downs
And yeah.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah.
Katherine Stewart
Well, thank you so much. I hope you have a great rest of your. OK, once again that was Allie Downs, costume designer and alterations expert. We talked a lot about.
Katherine Stewart
Ali's work on our production of Little Women and I'm going to put a link in the show notes to a story where you can learn more about that show and see images of some of Ali's designs.
Katherine Stewart
We've got a lot more really interesting alums to visit with, so stay tuned for future episodes until next time. This is Stage & Screen.