Hallie Dufresne
Master Craftsperson
Los Angeles Opera
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I liked playing dress up and creating characters, but I was too shy to even attempt being onstage.
I was working in retail and always wanted to set up the displays.
A manager suggested that I get into fashion merchandising. I started the coursework but wasn't happy
A friend and fellow student told me about costume classes in the school of theatre. I was intrigued.
I started taking classes at F.S.U.'s School of Theatre in the costume department. It was true love.
I finished college and headed to New York and worked at a very big and well known costume house.
From there I headed west where I was offered a job at the costume shop for Los Angeles Opera.
I have worked for the opera for 11 years and I'm still learning new things.
Education
High School
Career
Master Craftsperson
I create and maintain costume accessories.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Art
Fashion
Being Creative
Day to Day
Today for example, I got to work and made sure each of my three assistants had projects going. I had about 7 chorus fittings to attend as well where I fit masks, stove pipe top hats and crazy looking monocles. All of these things are created in my workshop from scratch. I worked on a pattern for a hat and then put it together in leather. I corrected a pattern that an assistant was working on and talked her through various steps for her project. Yesterday I was sculpting antlers and painting.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Find a college program that specializes in costume technology. Many programs are very design oriented, and while that is fun, it is knowing how to make costumes that will pay the bills.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Family:
"You need to do something where you will make money."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
