Past Workshops Archive

2024 Theme: Curiosity, Creativity, Joyful Practice

Over the last few years, we have heard from educators frustrated with an increasing lack of creativity they see in student work. In this workshop, we tackled this question head on, asking: “How do you teach curiosity?” Keynote Speaker: Elena Araoz ​ helped us recover a spirit of creativity—for both us and our students. We believe more creativity will alleviate some of the anxiety that has permeated our world, allowing us to conduct a more joyful practice.

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2023- Sustainable Practice / Creative Solutions

In 2023 we expanded on the theme "sustainability" as we investigated the global aspects of our practices. Keynote speaker, Sandra Goldmark invited questions exploring the ethical and ecological implications of costume production and our responsibilities to climate justice and social justice. We brainstormed how academic spaces can work as laboratories for encouraging industry change towards "greening" our costume practice.

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2022- Healthy Boundaries / Sustainable Practices

In 2022 we considered the sustainability of our own design and teaching practices, using “boundary thinking” to explore healthier relationships around teaching, design, and production. Experts Victoria Genetin (Inclusive Pedagogy) and Amy West (Wellness) provided resources and guidance to foster inclusive and healthy teaching in all our spaces.

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2021- Scholarship & Leadership

In 2021, the conversation continued, again led by Chloe and with seed funding secured by Christianne through the University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre & Dance. ReDressing the Narrative 2 identified leadership skills and set future goals. Our first keynote speaker, Michelle Lui Carriger, shared strategies and led a discussion to help navigate classroom discussions on culture and cultural appropriation.

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2020- Costume History Pedagogy

Chloe Chapin (Harvard) and Christianne Myers (University of Michigan) co-led “ReDressing the Narrative,” investigating new ways to teach Costume History within a theatre design curriculum. Chloe had heard an urgent need from costume history teachers to disrupt the Euro-centered “parade of fashion” we all learned but were struggling to re-envision another way.