Barbara N. Kahl
Designer
Costumes, Scenery, Makeup, Properties
Barbara N. Kahl, designer
email: babsdesign3@yahoo.com
Professional info
I have been designing for professional and academic theatre nearly three decades. I got my first theatre job as a stitcher at the Candlewood Playhouse in New Fairfield, CT in 1986 and I never looked back! I cut my teeth (theatrically speaking) on Shakespeare, working for the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC, and designing for the Maryland Shakespeare Festival, the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, the Maryland Shakespeare Project, - you can see the pattern!
Costumes are where I began, but I also love creating scenery - that is where my inner sculptor shows itself! From the interior of an Indian temple, to creating the forest of Arden, my more sculptural sets are my favorites. Masks, make up, and puppets are all areas that fill in the gaps. Three summers working for Vee Corporation in Minneapolis, where I was the Big Bird specialist, taught me to work with unconventional fabrics and trims, and to truly appreciate all the actors working in body puppets!
Of late, I have had two areas I am focussing on in my designs - using natural fibers whenever possible, and recycling materials (some rather non-traditional) so as to lessen the impact my work has on this planet.
A few snippets about some of my shows:
Languages
English
French
Skills
Draping, dyeing, millinery
Scenic art
Sculpture
Carding and spinning
Felting
Painting
Knitting
Jewelry making
Welding
Mask making
Advanced Make up and special effects
2010 - present
2010 - present
Work experience
Professional Costume Designs:
The Maryland Shakespeare Festival - St. Mary's City, MD
The New Tradition Theatre - St. Cloud, MN
The Red Eye Collaboration - Minneapolis, MN
Theatre L'Homme Dieu - Alexandria, MN
The Great American History Theatre - St. Paul, MN
The Baltimore Shakespeare Fesitval - Baltimore, MD
The Washington Revels - Washington, DC
The Shakespeare Project - Frederick, MD
Everyman Theatre - Baltimore, MD
Chenango River Theatre - Greene, NY
Academic Costume and Scenic Designs:
St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN,
Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN
St. Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, MD
Community Colleges of Baltimore County, Catonsville, MD
Loyola College in Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Calvert Hall College School, Towson, MD
The Gilman School, Baltimore, MD
Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY
SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, NY
Barbara N. Kahl
159 Southside Drive
Oneonta, NY 13820
607-432-2858 (h)
607-435-5913 (c)
EDUCATION:
MFA - Theatre Design, University of Minnesota, 1993
BA – Dramatic Arts; English Language and Literature, (double major)
Additional coursework in education theory and practices
St. Mary’s College of MD, 1988
- Year abroad at the Center For Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Oxford, England
COURSES QUALIFIED TO TEACH:
Asian Theatre, Costume Construction, Costume Crafts – masks, millinery, jewelry and dyeing, Costume Design, Costume History, Drawing and Rendering for the Theatre, Introduction to Theatre, Introduction to Technical Theatre, Period Styles of Décor and Dress, Scenic Design, Scene Painting – Basic and Advanced – including dry pigments, Scenographic Techniques, Shakespeare, Stagecraft, Stage Make Up – Basic and Advanced, Stage Properties, Theatre Appreciation, Acting for Musical Theatre
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:
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Thirty years of professional and academic costume and scenic design
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Cutting, draping, pattern making
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Twenty two years of public and private undergraduate teaching
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Full-time experience in undergraduate public education, including student advisement, college and committee service, budget management and work study supervision
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Professional Memberships: Costume Society of America, USITT
ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE:
Adjunct Faculty in Theatre, Department of Theatre
2006 – present, State University of New York, College at Oneonta
Oneonta, New York
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Teaching courses in Theatre Appreciation, Stage Costuming, Costume Design, Stage Make-up, Costume History, and Advanced Stage Make-up
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Overseeing costume lab sessions
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Resident Costume designer for more than twenty faculty directed productions
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Scenic designer and artist for faculty directed productions
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Three time Creative Activities Grant Recipient:
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2008 Faces of the Goddess
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2009 From Fleece to Fig Leaves: creating costumes using sustainable materials from cork to wool
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2012 Reviving the Ancient Arts of Tapestry and Felting with Natural Fibers
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Faculty Convivium lecture: Fleece to Fig Leaves: Designing for the theatre using sustainable materials.
Affiliate Faculty Member in Theatre, Department of Fine Arts
2001 – 2005, Loyola College in Maryland, Baltimore, MD
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Teaching courses in Costume Design, Scenic Design, and Stagecraft
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Designing costumes for eight main stage productions and scenery for one (Please see attached list for specific titles.)
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Overseeing and evaluating student backstage running crews in wardrobe
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Managing costume stock
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Specialty make up artist for main stage productions
Assistant Professor of Dramatic Arts: Scenography and World Theatre, Costume Shop Manager
1996 – 2001, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, MD
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Teaching courses in Costume Design, Scenic Design, Costume History, Stage Make Up, Advanced Scene Painting, Survey of Asian Theatre, Costume Construction, Introduction to Technical Theatre, Stage Properties, Period Styles of Décor
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Designing costumes for sixteen faculty directed productions (Please see attached list for specific titles.)
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Designing and painting scenery for fourteen faculty directed productions (Please see attached list for specific titles.)
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Director for The Mystery of Irma Vep
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Draping, patterning, cutting and constructing costumes for all faculty directed productions
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Coordinating, hiring and evaluating costume shop work study students and student over-hires
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Supervising and mentoring student costume designers, scene painters and scenic designers
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Purchasing and maintaining costume shop supplies and equipment
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Maintaining costume stock
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Coordinating costume loans to outside parties and students
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Continuing professional development activities
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Providing service to college committees and community volunteer activities
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Chairperson – Arts and Letters Steering Committee, 1998-99
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Advisor to student experimental theatre group (The White Room Committee)
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Serving as an Academic advisor
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Serving as St. Mary’s Project (senior capstone project) advisor
Instructor of Theatre and Film Studies and Costume Shop Manager
1993 – 1995, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN
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Teaching Advanced Stage Make Up
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Maintaining costume stock
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Cutting, draping, construction of all costumes for faculty directed productions
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Supervising costume fittings
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Coordinating costume rentals to outside parties
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Coordinating work study students and student over-hires
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Maintaining costume shop supplies and equipment
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Creating extreme age prosthetics and make up for Night of the Iguana
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Received commendation for actions taken to secure the safety of the students and the Fine Arts building during a fire emergency.
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Continuing professional development activities
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Coordinating costume running crew for all productions
Instructor, Honors Institute in Theatre
1991, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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Teaching costume design and construction techniques to high school honors students
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Supervising production running crews
Teaching Assistant; Assistant Costume Shop Manager
Department of Dramatic Arts
1990 – 1993, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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Overseeing undergraduate costume shop workers and work study students
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Maintaining costume stock
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Coordinating costume running crew for all productions
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Maintaining costume shop supplies and equipment
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Cutting and draping costumes, dyeing, and millinery work for all productions
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Conducting costume fittings
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Coordinating costume loans and rentals to outside patrons and student organizations
DESIGN EXPERIENCE
SCENIC DESIGNS
Honk! SUNY Oneonta 2018
You Can’t Take It with You SUNY Oneonta 2015
Naga Mandala SUNY Oneonta 2015
As You Like It SUNY Oneonta 2013
Man of La Mancha Loyola College in MD 2003
Agamemnon St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2001
Naga Mandala St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2000
Our Country’s Good St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2000
Crossroads St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1999
A Shakespeare Potpourri St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1999
Marisol St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1999
Widows St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1998
FOB St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1998
The America Play St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1998
Blood Brothers St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1997
Angels in America St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1997
Student Dir.One Act Play Festival (advisor) St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1997
In The Burning Darkness St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1996
Noises Off University of Minnesota 1993
The Fan University of Minnesota 1992
SCENIC ARTIST
Honk! SUNY Oneonta 2018
Naga Mandala SUNY Oneonta 2015
As You Like It SUNY Oneonta 2013
The cripple of Inishmaan Hartwick College 2006
Man of La Mancha Loyola College in MD 2003
Agamemnon St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2001
Naga Mandala St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2000
Marisol St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1999
Ardele St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1997
In the Burning Darkness St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1996
Various Commercial Projects The Design Group, Mpls, MN 1995-6
The Wind in The Willows Theatre L’Homme Dieu 1994
On The Verge University of Minnesota 1993
Noises Off University of Minnesota 1993
Angel Street Minnesota Centennial Showboat 1992
The Mystery of Irma Vep Minnesota Centennial Showboat 1992
The Fan University of Minnesota 1991
COSTUME DESIGNS
Barefoot in the Park SUNY Oneonta 2018
The Speed of Darkness Chenango River Theatre 2017
Blithe Spirit Chenango River Theatre 2017
Almost Heaven Chenango River Theatre 2017
Flying (world premiere) Chenango River Theatre 2017
Peter and the Starcatcher SUNY Oneonta 2017
Stop Kiss SUNY Oneonta 2016
Taking Sides Chenango River Theatre 2016
The Smell of the Kill Chenango River Theatre 2016
Last Gas Chenango River Theatre 2016
Stella and Lou Chenango River Theatre 2016
Avenue Q SUNY Oneonta 2016
Other Desert Cities Chenango River Theatre 2015
Escanaba in da Moonlight Chenango River Theatre 2015
Woody Guthrie's American Song Chenango River Theatre 2015
The Velocity of Autumn Chenango River Theatre 2015
Design For Living SUNY Oneonta 2014
Mr. Hart and Mr. Brown Chenango River Theatre 2014
Heroes Chenango River Theatre 2014
The Marvelous Wonderettes: Chenango River Theatre 2014
Caps and Gowns
Unnecessary Farce Chenango River Theatre 2014
Carousel SUNY Oneonta 2014
Clybourne Park SUNY Oneonta 2013
The Outgoing Tide Chenango River Theatre 2013
Miracle on South Division Street Chenango River Theatre 2013
Ring of Fire Chenango River Theatre 2013
As You Like It SUNY Oneonta 2013
Fuddy Meers SUNY Oneonta 2012
Pump Boys & Dinettes Chenango River Theatre 2012
Separation Rapid (World Premier) Chenango River Theatre 2012
Broadway Bound Chenango River Theatre 2012
The Drowsy Chaperone SUNY Oneonta 2012
She Stoops to Conquer SUNY Oneonta 2011
The Diary of Anne Frank Chenango River Theatre 2011
Rounding Third Chenango River Theatre 2011
Almost, Maine Chenango River Theatre 2011
Home Fires and Reservation Roads SUNY Oneonta
(World Premier) SUNY Grant-funded Production) 2011
Big Love SUNY Oneonta 2011
Arabian Nights SUNY Oneonta 2010
Of Mice and Men Chenango River Theatre 2010
Last of the Boys Chenango River Theatre 2010
The Complete Works of Chenango River Theatre 2010
Wm. Shakespeare (abridged)
Batboy, The Musical SUNY Oneonta 2010
Proof SUNY Oneonta 2009
More Fun Than Bowling Chenango River Theatre 2009
The Mystery of Irma Vep Chenango River Theatre 2009
Scotland Road SUNY Oneonta 2009
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern SUNY Oneonta 2008
are Dead
The Middle Ages Theatre L’Homme Dieu 2008
Crimes of the Heart Chenango River Theatre 2008
Other People’s Money Chenango River Theatre 2008
I Hate Hamlet Chenango River Theatre 2008
Into the Woods SUNY Oneonta 2008
Trial by Jury SUNY Oneonta/Apollo Music Club 2008
The Medium SUNY Oneonta/Apollo Music Club 2008
The Children’s Hour SUNY Oneonta 2007
A Shayna Maidel Chenango River Theatre 2007
True West Chenango River Theatre 2007
The Foreigner Chenango River Theatre 2007
The Lesson SUNY Oneonta 2007
The American Dream SUNY Oneonta 2007
The Cripple of Inishmaan Hartwick College 2006
Twelfth Night SUNY Oneonta 2006
The Merry Wives of Windsor Baltimore Shakespeare Festival 2005
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Loyola College in MD 2005
The Wind in the Willows Comm. College of Baltimore County 2005
How To Succeed… Calvert Hall College 2005
In Perpetuity… Comm. College of Baltimore County 2004
The Drawer Boy Everyman Theatre 2004
Fools The Gilman School 2004
Private Lives Loyola College in Maryland 2004
Comedy of Errors The Shakespeare Project 2004
Slow Dance on the Killing Ground Everyman Theatre 2004
Cabaret Loyola College in MD 2004
Antigone Loyola College in MD 2003
On the Verge Loyola College in MD 2003
Rose Everyman Theatre 2003
Man of La Mancha Loyola College in MD 2003
The Marriage of Bette and Boo Loyola College in MD 2002
Taming of the Shrew The Shakespeare Project 2002
City of Angels Loyola College in MD 2002
The Physicists Loyola College in MD 2001
The Waverly Gallery Everyman Theatre 2001
Christmas Revels The Washington Revels 2001
Agamemnon St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2001
Signs of Life St. Mary's College of Maryland 2001
Naga Mandala St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2000
The Road to Mecca Everyman Theatre – Baltimore, MD 2000
Our Country's Good St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2000
Romeo and Juliet Joe Banno/Music Dept. SMCM 2000
River Concert Series, Creation du Monde - masks
St. Mary’s College of MD 1999
Lysistrata St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1999
Widows St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1998
Blood Brothers St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1997
Angels in America: Part 1 St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1997
Julius Caesar St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1996
You Can’t Take It With You Northwestern College (guest artist) 1996
The Brotherhood Great American Hist. Thtr - St. Paul, MN 1996
The Meeting Great American Hist. Thtr - St. Paul, MN 1996
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN 1995
The Mousetrap Theatre L’Homme Dieu – Alexandria, MN 1995
The Man Who Came To Dinner Theatre L’Homme Dieu - Alexandria, MN 1995
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN 1995
The Odd Couple The Resurrected Artists - St. Cloud, MN 1995
A Christmas Carol New Tradition Theatre - St. Cloud, MN 1994
Bus Stop Theatre L’Homme Dieu - Alexandria, MN 1994
The Frida Kahlo Retrospective Frederick Weisman Museum, Mpls, MN 1994
The Imaginary Invalid St. Cloud State University- St. Cloud, MN 1993
Conversadores The Red Eye Collaboration - Mpls, MN 1993
I Do! I Do! The New Tradition Theatre, St. Cloud, MN 1993
Noises Off University of Minnesota 1993
Xerxes University of Minnesota Opera 1993
The Cherry Orchard University of Minnesota 1992
Dance Concert University of Minnesota Dance Company 1991
A Tribute to David Voss University of Minnesota Dance Company 1991
Hamlet The MD Shakespeare Festival 1990
Pentecost (American Premiere) The MD Shakespeare Festival 1990
The Medium The MD Shakespeare Festival 1990
The 1940's Radio Hour The MD Shakespeare Festival 1989
Dial ‘M’ for Murder The MD Shakespeare Festival 1988
Romeo and Juliet The MD Shakespeare Festival 1988
The Mikado The MD Shakespeare Festival 1988
RELATED COSTUME EXPERIENCE
COSTUME SHOP MANAGER
St. Mary’s College of Maryland 1996 - 2001
St. Cloud State University 1993 - 1995
Theatre L’Homme Dieu 1994, 1995 seasons
University of MN - Assistant Shop Manager 1990 - 1993
Maryland Shakespeare Festival 1988 - 1990 seasons
St. Mary’s College of Maryland Theatre Dept. 1986 - 1988
CUTTER/DRAPER
St. Cloud State University 1993 - 1995
University of MN 1990 - 1993
The Maryland Shakespeare Festival 1988 – 1990
RELATED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Puppet design Avenue Q SUNY Oneonta 2016
Big Bird expert- Vee Corporation, Mpls, MN 1991 - 1994
Assistant Business Manager Minnesota Centennial Showboat 1992
Historic Costumer - Living History Prog Historic St. Mary’s City 1988
MEMBERSHIPS
Costume Society of America 2000 – Present
USITT 2005 – Present
Association for Theatre in Higher Education 2000 - 2001
American College Theatre Festival – respondent 1997 – 2001
Minnesota Guild of Costume Professionals 1995 – 96
Skills and interests:
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Fiber artist: spinning, dyeing, knitting, felting, and surface manipulation of fabrics, free form weaving
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Jewelry design
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Farming: sheep, llamas, chickens
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Welding
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Writing
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Painting
REFERENCES:
John McCaslin-Doyle, Associate Professor in Theatre
Theatre Department, SUNY Oneonta, Ravine Parkway
106 Fine Arts Center, Oneonta, NY 13820
John.McCaslin-Doyle@oneonta.edu
(607) 436-3516
Scott Segar, Technical Director/production manager
Theatre Department, SUNY Oneonta, Ravine Parkway
106 Fine Arts Center, Oneonta, NY 13820
607-436-3414
Carmela Marner, Artistic Director
Franklin Stage Company
PO Box 821 Franklin, NY 13775
carmel@franklinstagecompany.org
323-600-3516
Bill Lelbach, Artistic Director
Chenango River Theatre
991 State Hwy 12, Greene, NY 13778
(607) 656-8499
Colby Thomas, Instructor
Music Department, SUNY Oneonta, Ravine Parkway
Fine Arts Building, Oneonta, NY 13820
(607) 436-2298 (w)
(315)751-4066 (cell)