The Mind of an Artist: Kari Perkins’ Guide to Costuming for the Arts

Before an actor steps onto the stage, a costume designer has already helped decide who they are. Kari Perkins — an Abilene local and well-established costume designer — has joined McMurry Theatre to help bring the department’s upcoming production, Romeo & Juliet, to life. Perkins is serving as an adjunct instructor in costume design, to guide students through the creative process behind a show’s wardrobe. In speaking with Perkins about her experience in the field, I gained insight into her teaching style and the core principles that shape her approach to costume design.

Perkins says she has been doing costume design for most of her life. Her love for the craft stems back to childhood, where she and her neighborhood friends would put on plays for their parents. This endearing childhood hobby soon morphed into a lifelong passion, a dream that would continue to be fueled by hard work and creativity. Perkins attended the Dallas High School for Performing Arts and then left for college in San Marcus. However, after not feeling challenged by her schooling environment, Perkins decided to leave and pursue her dreams of costume design in the professional world.

Perkins gained experience working in community theatre in Austin, TX. Her designs caught the attention of a prominent theatre company, and soon she was designing costumes for the celebrated Shakespeare in the Park. That collaboration opened doors to new connections, eventually launching her talent across many notable scenes. Eventually, the magnifying efforts to hone her craft and expand her expertise in design, landed her the role as costume supervisor for the iconic film, Dazed and Confused. As production continued, however, they ended up firing their initial designer, and asked Perkins herself to redesign the show. She considers this her big break. “It really launched my career,” she says, “I’ve done…forty films I think now… feature films.”

Perkins’ remarkable and ongoing legacy is now rooted in Abilene, TX, where the McMurry Theatre department has welcomed her with open arms and eager minds, ready to learn and deepen their understanding of costume design. Together, Perkins and the students of the costume design class are working to create costumes for Romeo & Juliet from the ground up.

From concept to creation, Perkins says that successful costume design is rooted in dedication to the process. Questions, experimentation, and research serve as integral pieces to the operation and Perkins reinforces the importance of that journey in our interview. “First, we talked about the different aspects of Romeo and Juliet. You’ve got the Montagues and they’re going to be wealthy. And then we had the Capulets, and they’re wealthy too, but we still have to distinguish them as different houses. So how can we do that?”

Embracing the process is what inspires new ideas and creativity among a group of designers. This principle when upheld leads to another foundational element of costume design: collaboration. “I like to work with the director, whose vision it is… and the actors too… You’ve got to be observant and consider the set, the colors, the lighting, all those elements are crucial.”

Perkins shares that her approach to costume design is unique. Expressing that her designs have been referred to as “invisible costumes.” Where the design is seamless, they help tell the story, they are an attachment of the character to further the plot. She favors subtly and storytelling over big statement pieces that distract an audience with their grandness. This idea is something that she hopes her classes embrace. She concluded the interview with a message to her students, “Be optimistic and courageous. It’s good to speak your truth… instead of trying to hide it because sometimes it’s really quite brilliant. Trust that intuition…Sometimes there’s just that magic.”

It was a pleasure to interview Perkins and an even greater honor to learn from her. Experience her costume designs brought to life on stage in Romeo & Juliet, February 26–28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ryan Little Theatre. The entire company is excited to bring this classic Shakespearian tale to the Abilene community, come show your support for Perkins and the talented students dedicating their time and passion to this production.

For an additional look at Perkins impressive work, swing by the Ryan Gallery Friday, February 13th, to attend her gallery opening, “Momentary Wonder” and reception!