Inside Hutchinson Hall, home of the 天美影视传媒 School of Drama, students work at tables as they learn to assemble patterns based on costume designs. They鈥檙e surrounded by dress forms, bolts of cloth, sewing machines and costumes in progress. This is the Costume Shop, the domain of , master dressmaker for the .
For years, Mayse has taught a graduate-level class at the UW. Students learn the process of making costumes, from patterning on paper to sewing them together. Each costume begins as a concept envisioned by the show鈥檚 director, which becomes a guide for the costume designer to follow in fashioning the individual looks. Master dressmakers, like Mayse, take the plans from the designer and create a finished product.
鈥淚t takes a lot of work to take a design and make it real,鈥� Mayse said. “We鈥檙e providing opportunities for students to experience what it is like working with a costumer and costume shop.鈥�
Mayse is a beloved fixture in the School of Drama, and many of her students have taken her classes because of her expertise. Brandon Riel, a third-year graduate student, said he had already taken the class once because of Mayse, even though his focus is set design. Mayse worked at the 聽for 18 years before coming to the UW. Her connections have helped her students find jobs after graduation.
Mayse shifted her work fully online during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought myriad challenges. Gone were the expansive tables in the costume shop. Gone was the ease of hands-on demonstration. Instead, she had to navigate teaching through technology. Video calls kept everyone connected at a distance, but they weren鈥檛 the best for showing the intricate details of a costume. She was grateful when they were all able to finally return to in-person instruction.
鈥淶oom doesn鈥檛 show texture very well,鈥� Mayse said. 鈥淲e ended up having to send photos of our work to each other. There are some things that are just easier to do in person.鈥�
Mayse will retire at the end of the spring quarter after 16 years with the School of Drama. She is looking forward to finishing up some personal projects and teaching advanced classes for working professionals.
鈥淚鈥檒l still be doing what I love,鈥� she said.