Award winning costume designer, Travis Grant took the time to answer some questions with The Free Press’s Kathleen Wilber
Free Press: What is your major and concentration?
Travis Grant: I am a fourth year Theater major originally from Waldoboro, ME.
FP: How did you get into costume design?
TG: I started by assisting a volunteer costume designer in high school, which in turn led to outside work with community theater, and eventually branched out into semi-professional and professional work.
FP: What is the medium that you work the most with and why?
TG: I find myself frequently working in watercolors because it is the medium that allows me the most freedom in technique (as far as renderings go). I have recently found new love for Prismacolor graphic markers, as they have a life and energy unlike any other medium I have used.
FP: Where do you get ideas/draw influence from to make your costumes?
TG: My major influence when designing a show comes from the research that I do. I look at editorial photographs from old magazines and newspapers and watch old movies and documentaries. I also find influence from certain artists for certain shows. Last spring I designed the New England premiere of “Last Easter” for the University, and when choosing a palette for the second act costumes, I was drawn to “The Taking of Christ” by Caravaggio, a piece that was featured in the text of the show. The colors that are found in the painting were found in the clothing of the characters in the play. I had a similar instance when I designed “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” for Waldo Theatre, Inc. a few years back. Picasso’s “Les Desmoiselles D’Avignon” was featured in the final tableau of the show, and per request of the director, the colors of the painting (as well as some of the lines) were featured in the costumes.
FP: Do you have any continuing themes/colors that you find pop up in your work often?
TG: Funny that you ask this. I was just talking with costume shop director Kris Hall about this last week. We discovered that I always have one BIG piece in each show. There’s always some grandiose design that makes people pull their hair out a little in the shop. I also use headbands frequently… a little TOO frequently.
FP: Is there any particular style of clothing you like to design? mens, women’s, children, any special time period?
TG: I am a hardcore womens’ wear designer. For some reason, I have no problems designing clothing for women. I find men to be significantly harder to design for. As far as time periods go, I have an obsession with the 1940’s. The line and silhouette of the time is just so instantly recognizable: the natural waist, the bias cuts… the shoulder pads!
FP: What are you currently working on (in your spare time, for class etc)?
TG: I am currently designing “Moonchildren” for the University, opening February 12.
FP: How do you see your art fitting in after you graduate?
TG: I have spent the last 18 years of my life active in theater, and I don’t really see a life for myself outside of it. My goal is to pursue my MFA so that I can eventually become a Professor of Design.
FP: How have you grown as a designer during your time here at USM?
TG: I have had the great luxury of working with some incredible design faculty who have taught me invaluable lessons in the field of design. Jodi Ozimek (former costume design faculty), Kris Hall (costume shop director), Devon Kate Ash (current costume design faculty, wigmaking) and Sue Picinich (Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; rendering technique) have helped give me the tools I need to succeed.
FP: Where do you want to see your work go?
TG: Do you have any plans, techniques, mediums you’d like to try or get into? My plan is to design as much as possible while here at the University. The world of academia allows you great opportunity because you are allowed, often times encouraged, to fail; in essence, you are able to learn from your mistakes as you make them. I think that is really the most beautiful thing about working in an academic setting: being allowed to make beautiful, wonderful mistakes.
FP: Does USM technically have a costume design major? How are you making USM’s offerings work for you?
TG: We have an all encompassing theater major that allows us to explore the many aspects of theater (from performance to technology to design) without having to declare a concentration. It helps to make us well rounded, well educated theater professionals. I have taken any and every theater course related to costume design since I’ve started here in an effort to gain as much knowledge as possible surrounding my craft.