Laura M.

Perkins
lgperkins.weebly.com
lgperkins@me.com

EDUCATION:

M.F.A. Theatre University of Memphis 2011

Concentrations: Costume Design and Makeup Design

M.A. Speech Comm. and Theatre Arkansas State University 2007

Concentrations: Theatre and Costume Design

B.F.A. Theatre Arkansas State University 2005

Concentrations: Design and Technology

EMPLOYMENT:
Academic:
Rhodes College Instructor 2018-present
University of Memphis Instructor 2017
Simpson College Teaching Specialist, Costume Design 2011-2014
University of Memphis Graduate Instructor 2009-2011
Arkansas State University Temporary Instructor, Costume Design 2008
Three Rivers Community College Instructor, Theatre & Public Speaking 2007

Professional:
Rhodes College Costume Designer 2018-present
Costume Shop Manager, Cutter/Draper 2017-present
Wardrobe Coordinator, Craftsperson
Texas Shakespeare Festival Costume Dept. Head/Wardrobe Super. 2019
First Hand 2015
Tennessee Shakespeare Company Draper, Wardrove Supervisor 2017, 2018
Milliner, Craftsperson
University of Memphis Costume Shop Manager 2016-2017
Wardrobe Coordinator
Gulfshore Playhouse Costume Designer 2016
University of Mississippi Assistant Costume Shop Manager, 2014-
Cutter/Draper
Simpson College Costume Shop Manager, Cutter/Draper 2011-2014
Wardrobe Coordinator, Craftsperson
University of Memphis Cutter/Draper, First Hand 2008-2011
Ogunquit Playhouse Costume Designer 2011-2012
Assistant Costume Shop Manager, 2011-2012
Cutter/Draper, First Hand, Stitcher
Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor 2013
Arkansas State University Costume Designer 2005, 2008, 2010
Costume Shop Manager, Cutter/Draper
Shakespeare and Company Assistant Costume Designer, First Hand, 2009
Stitcher
1
DESIGN PRODUCTIONS:
Rhodes College, Memphis, TN
Costume Designer Skeleton Crew 2020
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change 2019
Fabulation, Or the Re-education of 2018
Undine
Costume Coordinator Shakespeare & Justice Scenes 2020
Rose and the Rime 2019
New Day Children’s Theatre, Collierville, TN
Costume Designer High School Musical: On Stage 2017

University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

Costume Designer & Coordinator Momentum: Dance Concert 2016
Costume Designer Streetcar Named Desire 2011
Love in a Time of War 2010
Dark of the Moon 2010
Blood Brothers 2009
Assistant Costume Designer Cyrano 2008
Assistant Shop Manager The African Co. Presents Richard III 2009

University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

Assistant Costume Designer Midsummer Night’s Dream 2016

Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples, FL

Costume Designer Moon Over Buffalo 2016

Repertory Theatre of Iowa, Des Moines, IA

Costume Designer The Crucible 2014

The Winterset Stage, Winterset, IA

Costume Designer The Quiet Man of Kerry 2012

Simpson College, Indianola, IA

Costume Designer The Women of Lockerbie 2013
Lysistrata Jones 2013
The Winter’s Tale 2013
University 2012
Peer Gynt 2012

Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, ME

Costume Designer Willy Wonka, Jr 2012
The Berenstain Bears On Stage 2012
Pippi Longstocking’s Musical Adventure 2011
Disney’s Jungle Book Kids 2011
Project: Motion, Memphis, TN
Costume Coordinator Frame by Frame 2011
Blue 2010

2
 Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR
Costume Designer Pippi Longstocking 2010
The Absolutely Awesome Giant 2010
Jack and the Beanstalk 2008
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 2008
The Great American Trailer Park Musical 2008
Proof 2008
The Importance of Being Earnest 2005
Witches, Britches, Rings and Things 2005
Shakespeare and Company, Lenox, MA
Assistant Costume Designer Measure for Measure 2009
Costume Designer Preludes 2009

Jonesboro Foundation of Arts, Jonesboro, AR

Costume Designer Wizard of Oz 2008
Party Scene in The Nutcracker 2006

COURSES TAUGHT:
2018-2020 Rhodes College, Memphis, TN
Costume Construction, (No course number assigned currently) 2020
Course will provide an overview/introduction to costume construction techniques.
Particular emphasis will be made on the application of techniques as used in
theatrical production contexts. A selection of techniques and materials will be
explored in order to create baseline knowledge for the theatre artisan and
springboard for student creativity
Topics in Theatre: Theatrical Makeup Techniques, THEA 365 (2019)
Introductory stage makeup covering basic makeup application techniques:
Wide/Thin, Special effects, Period Style, Animals, and Famous Paintings.
Topics in Theatre: History of Costumes, THEA 265 (2019)
This course traces the evolution of dress from the earliest impulses toward body
decoration and manipulation, the rise of consumer culture in the 18th century, and
the political/economic/social upheaval of the 19th century and early 20th century.
Students will become familiar with the evolution of fashionable western clothing
investigating high style as well as mainstream fashion, changing materials and
silhouette, and the interplay between fashion and the arts
Theatre Practicum – THEA DI (2019)
Course will provide an overview/introduction to costume construction techniques.
Particular emphasis will be made on the application of techniques as used in
theatrical production contexts. A selection of techniques and materials will be
explored in order to create baseline knowledge for the theatre artisan and
springboard for student creativity. This course is also a guided execution of a
major responsibility in performance, design, management or technical production
for a McCoy Theatre project.
Costume Design, THEA 334 (2018)
Course explores the creative process and the principles and tools of design as they
apply to costume design. Emphasis will be on script analysis, period and
conceptual research, and rendering techniques, utilizing classroom discussion,
design evaluation, practical exercises and projects.

3
 Theatre Crafts: Patternmaking, THEA 308 (2018)
Course aims to give students an overall understanding of how to read and
recognize the style lines of a modern garment in order to draft a pattern of such
garment. Students will recognize how style lines change the look and fit of a
garment. By completion of this course, students will have patterned and
constructed a full garment from rendering to muslin mockup.

2017 University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

Introduction to Theatre, THEA 1030 (2017)
Experiential, conceptual, historical, and cultural study of theatre as a unique form
of artistic expression and mirror of human experiences and values throughout the
world; survey of constituent elements of a theatrical work and its major forms of
expression. Attendance at live theatre productions required.

2011-2014 Simpson College, Indianola, IA

Discovering Theatre, THEA 112 (2012-2014)
An introduction to the many activities involved in theatre production from script
to performance arts. Students will read, discuss, analyze, and read about plays and
live productions as a means to heighten their understanding of theatre in today’s
society.
Theatre Practicum, THEA 122 (2011-2014)
This course is a guided execution of a major responsibility in performance,
design, management or technical production for a Theatre Simpson project.
Costume History, THEA 224 (2014)
An in-depth study of the clothing styles of western civilization from 5 BCE to
1917. Students will study clothing items, period silhouettes and the
socioeconomic factors that have influenced the evolution of dress.
Fabric Modification, THEA 190 (2014)
An overview/introduction to fabric dyeing, painting, distressing and otherwise
modifying fabrics and garments. Particular emphasis will be made on the
application of materials and techniques used in theatrical production contexts. A
selection of techniques and materials will be explored in order to create a baseline
knowledge for the theatre artisan and springboard for student creativity. Emphasis
on informed, safe practice in the use of chemicals and materials
Costume Construction, THEA 124 (Developed for the 2015 academic year)
Course will provide an overview/introduction to costume construction techniques.
Particular emphasis will be made on the application of techniques as used in
theatrical production contexts. A selection of techniques and materials will be
explored in order to create baseline knowledge for the theatre artisan and
springboard for student creativity
Costume Rendering and Design, THE 324 (Developed for the 2015 academic year)
In this course the student will learn the fundamentals of the costume design
process and apply them through work on assigned projects.

2009-2011 University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

Introduction to Theatre, THEA 1030 (2009-2011)
Experiential, conceptual, historical, and cultural study of theatre as a unique form
of artistic expression and mirror of human experiences and values throughout the

4
 world; survey of constituent elements of a theatrical work and its major forms of
expression. Attendance at live theatre productions required.

2008 Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR

Fine Arts Theatre, THEA 2503 (2008)
Provides student with an appreciation of how various artistic elements combine to
produce theatrical productions.
Basic Makeup, THEA 2233 (2008)
Introductory stage makeup covering basic makeup application techniques:
Wide/Thin, Special effects, Period Style, Animals, and Famous Paintings.
Costume Construction, THEA 2243 (2008)
Overview/introduction to costume construction techniques, using hand sewing,
machine sewing skills.
Theatre Lab, THEA 3252 (2008)
Work on productions. Required of all Theatre Arts majors during every semester,
except freshman semesters.

2007 Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff, MO

Public Speaking, COM 173 (2007)
Public Speaking introduces students to the principles and basic skills of effective
speech communication. Students will research, compose and deliver speeches of
increasing complexity and sophistication.
Theatre History and Appreciation, THR 101 (2007)
This course is a basic survey of theatre including: the literature, history, structure,
critical theory, theatre arts, and important figures.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATIONS AND WORKSHOPS:

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region V
2014 Associate Coordinator for the Costume Parade
The costume parade is one of Region V’s most popular events. It is a showcase of
costumes from productions produced during the festival year (January – December) and
has been an Associate or Participating entry in KCACTF. The parade takes place at the
conclusion of the Irene Ryan Scholarship Auditions Final Round and before the Festival
recognitions are announced. All entries are blinded and sent to volunteers in other
regions and given points. The highest twelve are selected and presented at the festival.
Part of my duties is to contact the nominees and remind them to submit photos and to
keep them updated on the process. Also, I am responsible for helping to write the script
for the show and to help the emcees with pronunciations.
2014 Mentoring the Student Designer
A roundtable discussion with other educators in the region about how to mentor student
designers and technicians when time is short and tempers are high.
2012 Costume Makeover
A review of basic design elements for costumes and participants are given current high
fashion photos and had to design, draw, and present superhero costumes based on the
photos.

5
Southeast Theatre Conference (SETC)
2011 Collaboranalysis
Professor and students will share their process and experience employing the model of
theatre collaboration and script analysis taught at the University of Memphis in order to
develop and demonstrate a professional, practical proficiency in their respective
specialized areas of study.
2010 Elizabethan Accessories
A presentation of research on accessories from the Elizabethan period.

ACADEMIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Simpson College
2013 Staff Council
University of Memphis
2010 – 2011 Graduate Senator to the Fred Mertz Association (Theatre Council)
Arkansas State University
2006 Academic Calendar Committee
Memphis in May International Festival
Since 2007 Volunteer (Communications, Volunteer Services, WCBCC Admin)
2012 – 2013 Communications Committee Chairman
2020 – 2023 WCBCC Admin Chairman
Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest
Since 2006 Judge/Respondent

HONORS AND AWARDS:

Excellence in Costume Design and Construction for The Glass Menagerie - 2012
Regional Finalist for Barbizon Design Competition Blood Brothers - 2009
Nominated for Barbizon Design Competition Dark of the Moon - 2010
Nominated for Barbizon Design Competition Love in a Time of War - 2011
Nominated for Ostrander Award for Costume Design Dark of the Moon – 2010

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) – Since 2008

Southeastern Theatre Conference - Since 2006
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival – 2009, 2015 – Region IV
2012 – 2014 – Region V
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society - Since 2007
Golden Key International Honor Society - Since 2008
Phi Mu Fraternity – Since 1998

6
REFERNECES:

Val Winkleman, Professor – Department of Communication and Theatre, Auburn University at Montgomery
vwinkelm@aum.edu

Jennifer Nostrala, Chairman – Department of Theatre Arts, Simpson College

Jennifer.nostrala@simpson.edu

Janice Lacek, Assistant Professor, University of Memphis

jblacek@memphis.edu

Kelly Marie Schaefer, Lecturer, Iowa State University

kellyms@iastate.edu

Emily Wells, Artistic Advisor/Director, Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples, FL

letterem@gmail.com

Heather Anne Wilson-Bowlby, Artistic Director – Old Courthouse Theatre, Concord, NC

herwil@gmail.com

Carey Hanson, Professor, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

costumes@olemiss.edu