STUDENT COSTUME DESIGNER READY TO WEAR
COSTUME OF HER OWN -- A GRADUATION GOWN
By Brian Long
Sarah Hilliard will receive her Bachelor Fine Arts
degree in theater design during UNCG's commencement on Sunday, May 16.
(Photo: Bob Cavin)
GREENSBORO -- Sarah Hilliard of
High Point has spent
the past four years learning the art of theatrical costume design at The
University of North Carolina at Greensboro and working on such
productions as "Hair" and "Much Ado About Nothing." But she is
temporarily putting away her costuming tools so she can wear a
different sort of costume -- a graduation gown.
Hilliard, a 40-something mother of four, is happy to be able
to wear the gown after four years of balancing a family and college
work. She will receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater
design during UNCG's 107th May commencement on Sunday, May 16, at 10
a.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum.
"Any university student has to learn how to balance their
life," Hilliard said. "But there are a number of times when I couldn't
go to my son's baseball games because of homework."
Her
husband's support has been crucial, Hilliard said. She stayed on top
of her requirements so she could get the classes best suited to her
schedule. But the secret to her success is quite simple: "Don't put
things off," she said.
Although she took courses at a junior college in the past,
Hilliard kept putting off getting a degree. "I never could decide what
to pay people to teach me," she said.
About 10 years ago, she found herself working as a costume
designer with a community theater in her native Hawaii. She realized
that she loved the theatrical production process, but she needed a
degree to expand her capabilities. The family chose to move to North
Carolina so she could attend UNCG.
As if returning to college as an adult with four children
wasn't challenging enough, Hilliard enrolled in the UNCG Honors
Program. "It's an attitude of wanting to be proud of whatever I put my
effort into," she said.
Her honors thesis project was to design the costumes for UNCG
Theatre's production of the musical "Hair." Her other honors include
the Herman Middleton Scholarship, a Student Excellence Award and an
internship at the Royal Opera House in London.
Hilliard cites Professor Deb Bell and costume studio manager
Julian Cheek with encouraging her during her college career. "They
told me I was crazy but supported me anyway," she said, laughing.
In nominating Hilliard for a Student Excellence Award, Bell
wrote: "She hungers for learning and developing her skills in costume
design and costume technology. She serves as an excellent role model
for our students, regularly demonstrating discipline, perseverance,
problem-solving skills, technical skills, and a sense of humor."
Hilliard sees herself as a motivator of other students.
Because she is older and has worked in theater, she knows what effort
is needed to do a job. She also sees herself as a role model for her
children, who range in age from 13 to 21. She has instilled in them
the importance of learning. "Education is the key to a full life," she
said.
Hilliard's scissors, needle and thread will not be idle for
long. On May 24 she starts a six-month contract with the New Jersey
Shakespeare Co. She will work as a cutter/draper for eight
productions. She isn't looking forward to being away from her family,
but she will use her time in New Jersey, and possibly other seasonal
contracts, to scout places where the family can relocate. A move is
necessary, she said, because there are limited costume design
opportunities in the Triad.
"I looked for a job that started in June," she said as she
started to laugh, "but you take what they offer you."
Sarah Hilliard will receive her Bachelor Fine Arts
degree in theater design during UNCG's commencement on Sunday, May 16.
(Photo: Bob Cavin)