Lara Berich, assistant professor of costume technology and costume director for Niagara University Theatre, is a featured presenter at the United States Institute for Theatre Technology’s 64th annual conference, March 20-23, 2024, in Seattle.
Berich will be one of three drapers who will discuss perspectives on the draping process from initial designer conversation to final product during a panel discussion that explores the concept that there are no wrong answers, just different choices when approaching a build. The panelists will share their philosophical approaches and their step-by-step strategies for creating identical works.
Berich will also lead a pair of hands-on, participatory costume labs during the event. The first, “Troubleshooting Pants Patterning,” will focus on creating a well-fitting trouser, including the traditional proportions of pleats, cuffs, pockets, and more. The second, “Fitting and Alterations for a Body of Size” will offer strategies to address common fit issues on a diverse group of bodies.
“As a colleague and as a professor, I am dedicated to the pursuit of accuracy, a friendly, functioning team environment, and to the idea that there is no ‘wrong way,’ just ways that work better than others depending on the situation—and that you should always choose the best way for that particular situation,” Berich said.
Berich, who has been a draper/tailor with the Santa Fe Opera for 17 seasons, holds a master of fine arts degree in costume production from Boston University and a bachelor of arts degree in theatre performance with education licensure from Greensboro College.
