COSTUME DESIGN & FABRICATION
3D Wearable Art & Costume Design from concept to completion.
Since receiving her BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2008, Kristen has focused on costume creating unique design for Opera, Puppetry and Specialty Performances in the Greater Boston area. She excels at working with people from diverse backgrounds, different abilities and skill sets.
In the past, she has incorporated elements such as LED lighting, wearable paper elements, and unique silicone & resin molded elements in her costume and 3 dimensional pieces. She often explores texture and boundaries, literal and figurative, within her work.
Monkey:
A Kung Fu Puppet Parable
White Snake Projects
Paramount Theater
Boston MA
2023
A family friendly transmedia opera combining Bunraku puppetry, computer generated images, and live opera. MONKEY is based on the Chinese quest saga, “Journey to the West,” rewritten to reflect contemporary issues from the multicultural mosaic of American life
The Monk, with disciples Monkey King, Zhu and Sha on their way to find enlightenment (photos by Kathy Wittman)
Goddess of Compassion, Guan Yin (photos by Kathy Wittman)
Mara, and chorus as ghostly shadows. (photos by Kathy Wittman)
The Monk, with disciples Monkey King, Zhu and Sha on their way to find enlightenment (photos by Kathy Wittman)
Le Compte Ory at Lowell House Opera, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 2018. Taking inspiration from musicals of the Golden Age of Hollywood, There is a medieval play within the early film aesthetic.
Le Compte Ory at Lowell House Opera, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 2018. Taking inspiration from musicals of the Golden Age of Hollywood, There is a medieval play within the early film aesthetic.
Le Compte Ory at Lowell House Opera, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 2018. Taking inspiration from musicals of the Golden Age of Hollywood, There is a medieval play within the early film aesthetic.
Le Compte Ory at Lowell House Opera, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 2018. Taking inspiration from musicals of the Golden Age of Hollywood, There is a medieval play within the early film aesthetic.
Le Compte Ory
Lowell House Opera, Harvard University, Cambridge MA
2018
Taking inspiration from musicals of the Golden Age of Hollywood, this production of the comedic opera also features a 'medieval' play within the early Hollywood film aesthetic.
The Midnight Zoo
Puppet Showplace Theater at Franklin Park Zoo
On Location in Dorchester, MA
2016
A night-time, interactive puppet experience at Boston's Franklin Park Zoo, featuring a cast of entirely unique fantasy puppet creatures and their mysterious keepers, highlighting the magic of animal world and the need for conservation.
Midnight Zoo at Franklin Park Zoo with Puppet Showplace Theater 2016 "Bird Keeper" in costume with the Two-Headed Kekru (puppet by Brad Shur)
Original concepts for guides and visible puppeteers at Midnight Zoo at Franklin Park Zoo with Puppet Showplace Theater 2016
Midnight Zoo at Franklin Park Zoo with Puppet Showplace Theater 2016 "Scrubber" in costume with the Swamp G'Tulok Puppet by Brad Shur
Midnight Zoo at Franklin Park Zoo with Puppet Showplace Theater 2016 "Bird Keeper" in costume with the Two-Headed Kekru (puppet by Brad Shur)
'El Gato Con Botas' , Opera Hub 2016 - (From L to R) The Princessa, El Gato, Two chorus/ puppeteers (back), The Miller and the King stand in front of a rushing river outside of the factory.
'El Gato Con Botas' , Opera Hub 2016 - The Miller brings a sword, hat, and cape to the Cat - Magical boots can be seen on a pedestal in the back.
Le Gato Con Botas with Boston Opera Hub 2016 - "Ogre" transforms into a lion puppet made from shoes and boots. A reimagining of "Puss in Boots" with most design features and puppets being made from shoes.
'El Gato Con Botas' , Opera Hub 2016 - (From L to R) The Princessa, El Gato, Two chorus/ puppeteers (back), The Miller and the King stand in front of a rushing river outside of the factory.
El Gato Con Botas
Opera Hub in Collaboration with Puppet Showplace Theater,
Traveling Metro Boston Area
2016-2018
A traveling, Spanish-language operatic production of the classic 'Puss in Boots' story, with extra emphasis on the boots!
Set pieces, costumes and puppets were often made from, or inspired by shoes and boots themselves.
Miscellaneous Work:
Little Shop of Horrors, Small Audrey II, carnivorous plant hand puppet; made from felt, carboard, faux flowers, plastic teeth, foam clay, a coffee can, paper and paint;
Geode Headpiece and Wig for 'Echo' soloist in 'Ariadne Auf Naxos' with Lowell House Opera, 2017
"Girl in the Green Dress" for Emerson Umbrella's 2011 performance of 'Singin' in the Rain'.
Little Shop of Horrors, Small Audrey II, carnivorous plant hand puppet; made from felt, carboard, faux flowers, plastic teeth, foam clay, a coffee can, paper and paint;