Analysis of Waste in Costume Shops: Developing A Method for Reuse and Upcycling Quin Moriarty Project Mentor(s): Emily Rollie, PhD This project examines material waste within theatrical costume production and explores how discarded materials can be reused through upcycling practices. While large-scale fashion industries are widely criticized for their environmental impact, less attention has been given to waste generated within smaller production environments such as costume shops. Using the Central Washington University Costume Shop as a case study during the Winter 2026 production cycle, I collected, categorized, analyzed, and upcycled materials that would have otherwise been discarded. The data from collected materials can be extrapolated onto most other professional costume shops operating in the entertainment industry. Through practical experimentation and hands-on research these materials which were once headed to landfill and would eventually break down into microplastics are transformed into functional costume pieces. The intention is to create garments and accessories constructed entirely from collected waste without jeopardizing professional quality and longevity. This serves as an example that within the entertainment industry, we have the capacity to increase our sustainability further by utilizing more of what we discard. I also experimented with offloading some of the ‘waste’ created to willing community members, artists, and cosplayers. In total, approximately 3.5 pounds of material were diverted and reused in construction, while an additional 2 pounds were redistributed. Implementation of my upcycling and redistribution system could be (and should be) implemented industrywide and has the potential of diverting hundreds of pounds of textile waste from landfills while simultaneously supporting thousands of artists- benefiting our communities twofold. The State of Collegiate New Play Development in the Pacific Northwest: Ghostlight or Flashpoint? Aspen Rosenquist Project Mentor(s): Emily Rollie, PhD In an age marked by social change and cultural upheaval, the process of creativity and storytelling through performance can prove to be a poignant opportunity for young artists to express their agency and convey unique, impactful perspectives to the community. This focused case study of collegiate new play development will involve the interviewing of several student and faculty members of original theatrical productions throughout Washington, Oregon, and partially Idaho with the goal of determining the pedagogical, social, and cultural merits of new play development, what obstacles and challenges are present for these young artists, and what these findings mean in broader considerations surrounding the future of the theatre industry. Interviews will focus on students in creative roles such as theatrical design, playwriting, or directing with questions designed to learn about their experiences, from baseline quantitative information on their level of experience and confidence before & after their productions to qualitative questions regarding their motivations surrounding the staging of their specific stories and the perceived impact on their education and broader community. Interviews with faculty will have the goal of understanding institutional protocols to support new play development and barriers that might hinder its growth. Draws from literary research such as Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords: Costumes, Upcycling, Theatre, Sustainability, Community SOURCE Form ID: 216
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation (May 20, 9:30am–5:00pm) Keywords: Theatre, Performance, Social Justice, Education SOURCE Form ID: 214
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