We caught up with the brilliant and insightful April Moore a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, April thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful design I have worked on recently was just the other week we opened a production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde at Shorter University’s Theatre and Dance Department. This has been one of my dream shows to design for years not only because it is my favorite show, but the time period of late Victorian in the 1890s has always been one of my favorite fashions in history.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a resident costume designer and adjunct professor at Shorter University’s Theatre and Dance Department. I have been with them for 3 years now and I started designing in college as a BA student at AU’s SCSA.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was in graduate school during the 2019-2020 academic year and one of the great struggles I faced was the pandemic shutting down all theatre, especially in Detroit where I was in school. Through the next few months, it was hard to continue going without an end in sight or a career path in view. It was during these months that I interviewed for y position at Shorter University Theatre and Dance. I accepted the job, and I was able to move forward in my field instead of being stuck like many of my friends.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I feel that the most rewarding aspect as a costume designer is seeing how the costumes that I create complete the actors characters and give them that final piece to finish their performances. The joy on their faces when they see how good they look in a costume or getting to see a glimpse of the process to create it is the thing that keeps me going. I love my students and getting to teach them something new or to give them confidence in their own skin brings me joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://april618.wixsite.com/amooredesigns
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilfreshdesigns/

Image Credits
April Moore (all others), Weston Snell (last two photos of nuns)