Kaitlyn Kociela Taylor practices sustainability as Costume Shop Manager

The SUNY New Paltz Mainstage Production series never stays in the same time or place for long.  

The recent history of Department of Theatre Arts performances includes everything from Shakespearean drama and comedy, to more recent historical pieces set in varied times and parts of the world, to modern plays that incorporate contemporary styles.  

Each of these productions requires its own creative approach to costume design and construction. For Costume Shop Manager Kaitlyn Kociela Taylor, that means every day poses a new set of questions, such as:  

How can we create costumes that fit the script while minimizing harm to the environment?   

“We have such a tight turnaround for our shows, but it’s important to make sure our costumes are sourced and built as sustainably as possible for all our productions,” she said.  

Taylor is continuing the department’s commitment to sustainability by advocating for a zero-waste approach to costuming.

She and the costume shop team work to strategize ways of being a truly sustainable costume shop in the Department of Theatre Arts.

That includes recent upgrades to theatre laundry machines, and smaller measures, like reusing scraps from previously worn garments, and orders from online retailers that engage in eco-friendly manufacturing practices. 

As costume shop manager, Taylor talks the talk and walks the walk when it comes to promoting sustainability awareness. 

“Trying to change the culture of sharing and reusing as opposed to just donating is a great way to achieve sustainability on campus,” she said. 

Last year, she hosted a clothing repair cafe, a Children’s clothing swap and a holiday-themed ornament making and homemade wrapping paper event using fabric scraps from past productions. 

Collaboration helps facilitate a strong ethos for the Costume Shop, and the result is a roster of shows each academic year that both she and her team can take pride in, knowing that they created costumes that can attract audiences and were produced ethically.

“It’s wonderful to be working amongst my team to make sure we put on great shows that also are made sustainably,” said Taylor.

If you’d like to check out some of those great shows (with great, ethical costume design!), visit the Department of Theatre Arts online or follow them on Instagram @sunynewpaltztheatre.