Success Stories
We are proud to say that many theatre and screen luminaries in this country went to Toi Whakaari.
Rebekah Campbell was one of the first costumiers to graduate from the Diploma of Costume Construction. In 2008 (her first year out in the industry) she’s worked constantly doing exactly what she’s wanted to do – be a passionate costumier, dressmaker and style co-ordinator.
Since graduating Bekky has worked for almost every theatre in Wellington, including Circa, Taki Rua, BATS and Capital E. She’s also mentored up and coming young designers and costumiers through the Young and Hungry Festival of Plays, created her own jewellery line, and had sole charge on a costume industry hire store.
“The most exciting thing I’ve done was working on the National Taki Rua Tour of Pukunui and his Friend Moata,” said Bekky. “I was the puppet creator and costume co-ordinator and one of my tasks was to make a giant moa muppet costume. Basically it was a puppet that someone wore and I had to create it all, just from a drawing the designer did.
"It used a lot of skills I learned in the special effects classes and I was really grateful for the teaching of Jim Acheson (who has three Oscars!!!) and Emily Buttle.”
“Basically though, Kaarin Macaulay is the glue for the course. Absolutely everything she passed on has been more than valuable. It all works! From the basic knowledge, to the hard sewing of corsets, to fitting situations, it all makes sense. The practical skills the course taught me are amazing and have helped me every day in my career so far.”
“But the most valuable thing Kaarin taught me is the communication and language. I can now talk to a director or a designer and understand what they want. It’s like plucking an idea out of their head and making it real. And thanks to the course I can not only do that but respond to what they want with intelligence and finesse.”
“Because everything is so professional at Toi it’s like doing a real show out in the industry, but with support and mentoring. The Diploma didn’t just teach me how to sew, co-ordinate a costume and put a style together. Doing the course taught me how to be a cog in the world of theatre, where I am an interpreter and part of an overall idea. I know how to look at a huge project and then break it down specifically. This takes several different ‘hats’ and I learnt how to wear all of them at Toi.”
Other Successes
For more information about our students' successes check out the costumes our students made for Henry VI or take a look at the 2006 Overwhelm Exhibition.
The project leading up to the Overwhelm Exhibition was also entitled 'bite off more than you can chew... and then chew it'. It involved the students taking an image that completely overwhelmed them, and then trying to build it. Images ranged from Storm (from the X Men comics) to a Degas ballet dancer. Check out the six costumes here.
For the most recent information about what our graduates are up to check out our Grad Newsletter.
