When asked about her work as a costume designer, Dianne Dye is humble to a fault. However, her success in last spring's production of Tartuffe was undeniable when she was recognized by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for outstanding costume design.
"I was not surprised when I heard I received the award because Cory had been telling me I would since the very beginning of the design process," Dye said, laughing.
The elaborate, period costumes were no small feat. Click here to see the Tartuffe costumes. Dye shared that she often found herself staying up until the early hours of the morning to ensure all the necessary sewing was completed.
Almost every one of the mens' costumes were crafted by Dye from upholstery fabric. "It is hard to find material when there is only one fabric store in town now," she said.
She recounted that the costumes were also expensive, because they were so ornate, and two of the cast members were over 6-feet tall.
"That's a lot of fabric," she laughed.
This is not the first time Dye was recognized for her outstanding work on costumes at St. Ambrose. After all, her work has graced the Allaert stage for 20 years.
"I think I have eight or nine awards," Dye said. "I don't know. They're all in a stack in my sewing room somewhere."
Among these awards are outstanding costume design for the production of Blithe Spirit and excellence in quick changes for Gypsy.
"Gypsy was tough because the actor had to leave the stage in one dress and return seconds later in a different one. It was one of the most challenging quick changes I've dealt with to date."
If you ask anyone, including Dye herself, you will find that she does not work on costumes for the recognition and awards.
"I do it for the students," she said. "It is always for the students and to serve the director's vision, of course."
Dye's work will be featured next in Dancing at Lughnasa, which runs April 17-19 on the Allaert Main Stage.
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