The project of a lifetime – Costume Designer Margaret McCubbin has been with the BGSU theatre department since 1985.

Throughout the past 32 years, she said she helped design and provide costuming for more than 200 productions. Besides her pieces for the school, McCubbin’s work has also been featured in various films, dramas, plays and operas.

Each production takes about six weeks to get from sketches to garments, and she said it can take even longer to complete the costuming depending on the show.  

Annually, the theatre department requires costumes for at least four shows. In addition to these plays, McCubbin also designs for the local Treehouse Troupe and the BGSU Opera.

Currently, the shop is working on a production called “The Penelopiad,” based on a novel written by Margret Atwood. This version showcases female leads who tell the story of the Odyssey. As part of the production, McCubbin is busy with fittings and custom work, such as hand-dying silk for this show.

The costumes for this production in particular were conceptualized with the help of Director Sara Chambers. As in most productions, she works closely with directors to make their vision of the production a reality.

“I don’t primarily make the costumes” McCubbin said. “I design them, but in a university, the designer ends up building, so there will be a slightly different timeframe depending on the production.”

The costume design process is also facilitated by student assistants who work with McCubbin.

“I have assistants come in and work with me. They mostly shadow and take notes, but they also go into the dress rehearsals and help with specific projects within a show. We have at least one show a year that is student designed,” McCubbin said.

With the diversity of students and faculty, each designer brings unique talents to the table, and they each work together to make the final costumes. It is an ongoing process, as some of the designs may even continue to change throughout the rehearsals.

The majority of contributing students are in the costume construction category. Students interested in helping with this aspect of production can learn more by enrolling in classes taught by McCubbin throughout the year.

BGSU offers many great classes for students interested in costume design such as Period Style and Form, Theatre Makeup, Costume Construction and Costume Design.

“We have at least one show a year that is student designed.”  Margaret McCubbin, Designer

Jade Franks, one of McCubbin’s students, got her start in the shop in these classes. She now works as a paid member through the Grant-in-Aid program for the theatre department.

Franks has helped with many productions in her time at the shop, including five separate projects this year. In the upcoming months, she will be attending conferences and searching for jobs. She is confident her experience will help her along the way.

“I’m thinking this is what I’ll pursue as a career, and the knowledge I learned here will help me with that,” Franks said.

She also said the 1010 classes are a great way to explore costuming for students of every major.

For costume construction, there are various times throughout the day when students and employees can log work hours. Most introductory students need 30-60 hours of shop time, so it is usually busy.

“(The costume shop) is relatively laid back. Everyone knows they need to get their work done, but it’s a nice environment here, and everyone gets along well,” Franks said.

In addition to teaching classes, McCubbin can also be found advising students, serving on Graduate Council and designing theatre makeup and jewelry.