Down a flight of stairs past the entrance to Fisher Theater, Doris Nash (’91) can be found among shelves of fabric, sewing machines, and tables, performing her brand of magic. Since 1989, Nash has worked as the costume shop supervisor helping everyone from professional costume designers to Iowa State freshmen make their visions a reality for more than 200 ISU Theatre productions.
“I love that no two productions are ever the same,” Nash says. “Even when we remounted ‘A Christmas Carol’ so many years, the different casts made each show unique and special.”
The versatile Iowa native holds bachelor’s degrees in vocal performance from Coe College in Cedar Rapids and clothing and textiles from Iowa State. Over her career, Nash honed her skills working summers with the Santa Fe Opera and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.
Before every first stitch begins, Nash sits down with a designer to review their sketches or photographs to determine what is and isn’t possible.
“She seems to have Mary Poppins’ bag of tricks, plus tips and knowledge to pull things out and make it all happen,” says Kelly Schaefer, a theater teaching professor who works with Nash in the costume shop. “Doris can take a pencil sketch on a napkin that I might do and bring it to life. It is incredible.”
Nash’s process starts with measuring the actors (though her meticulous ways and years of experience allow her to eye correct sizes before ever grabbing a tape measure), drafting a pattern, fittings, and then making changes as needed until the costume is complete. The time Nash puts in depends on the costume, number of pieces, type of fabric, and trim and detailing. It can be three hours for a simple skirt to 40-plus for an Elizabethan-style gown.
“Each show is a different combination of pulled-from-stock, purchased, rented and built-from-scratch costumes,” Nash says. Nash isn’t alone in the shop: Each year, she works with a group of students to build their hand and machine sewing skills, giving them more intricate and demanding tasks as they prove their ability.
The clock is always ticking toward opening night. Nash and the stitchers feel fortunate if they have six weeks to put costumes together. She has developed a network of other costume shop leaders, connected through Facebook, who share tips and tricks, many of which she passes on to students.
“She is incredibly dedicated to the students,” Schaefer says. “She has been instrumental in helping the department become more inclusive of all of our students.”
