Featured Artist: Bobbi Gifford

By Maya Moore | News, Copy Editor

The costumes of a show are essential to establish a character and to emphasize setting and plot. Behind these costumes is senior artist Bobbi Gifford. She has participated in theater since her freshman year, having worked as a costume crew member, costume designer and stage manager. Gifford has also been Thespian Troupe 695’s Media Manager since 2024.

     When designing costumes, Gifford considers many details to obtain a creative and accurate vision of how each character should be portrayed.

     “A lot of times costumes will kind of reflect something about the character’s personality in shape or color,” Gifford said. “You also have to look at time periods, climates. There’s actually a lot of little details. Sometimes when characters interact, I’ll give them complementary colors or different shades of the same color. If a character goes through a dramatic change, you might also see a dramatic change in their style.”

     Gifford’s favorite costume to make was Mercutio’s for “Romeo and Juliet.” She handcrafted this costume with a lot of symbolism in mind.

     “There were so many little details that you really wouldn’t have noticed had they not been pointed out, but every color, the type of material, the color of the threads, the size of the sleeves and which side the capelet was on, everything was so intentional,” Gifford said. “You had the ties of the navy because he was close with the Montagues, but you had the purples because he was related to the prince, you had a more dramatic style than other characters because he was a more flamboyant character. And, I actually didn’t even have a pattern for Mercutio’s. I just kind of started making things.”

     Theater director Gabriel Heffernan said he has noticed Gifford’s creativity and work ethic.

     “I feel like she’s always thinking of some creative plans in the back of her mind,” Heffernan said. “[She is] definitely a diligent person and definitely tries to push herself to do better, either from her last project or in the moment.”

     Heffernan also discussed Gifford’s talent and ambition.

     “She’s really good at translating what she’s drawn or what she’s planned and actually making it in real life,” Heffernan said. “Very few people can do it accurately. And she’s not afraid to dream about something that she hasn’t done before or isn’t necessarily as comfortable with.”

     Senior Jacob Boyzuck, Gifford’s friend and fellow thespian, commended Gifford for her skills, and noted how they extend to her own fashion choices.

     “She is incredibly adept at costume designing,” Boyzuck said. “I’ve seen her drawing costume designs and it’s really impressive. She always likes to express herself in her outfits and they’re always very cool and awesome.”

     Not only does Gifford excel at her hobby, but she enjoys the process itself, and the way it brings joy to others.

     “There’s a sense of satisfaction that you get when it’s a show night and you see a costume that you made out on the stage,” Gifford said. “Especially when the actors love their costumes. I think that’s probably the best feeling ever when an actor comes up to you and goes, ‘Oh my gosh. I love my costume.’”

     In the future, Gifford plans to teach at a high school and contribute however she can to their theater department.