We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessie Page. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessie below.

Jessie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I have been incredibly lucky to have made a living in theatre since I was eighteen! I sort of fell into the costume side of the industry, but ended up loving it and have worked in costumes ever since. I got a job at the Arvada Center because my mom worked in the costume shop and they needed a dresser for one show. I have been there ever since! I then started my career as a costume designer in summer of 2019 and have been designing steadily since then, as well.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

When I was younger, I wanted to be a performer, like my dad. I did a few things onstage in high school and at a smaller theatre doing children’s shows. But shortly after high school, I was feeling kind of lost and aimless. I wasn’t in college because I wasn’t sure if I should pursue acting after seeing how much work my dad had to put in to make ends meet as an actor. My mom worked at the Arvada Center in the costume shop and they needed a dresser for Chess in spring of 2012. My mom had taught me how to sew when I was younger, and I knew a lot of the community because of my dad, so they brought me in to dress that show and I sort of just never left! I have been a dresser at the Arvada Center ever since, and in 2019, I was made Wardrobe Supervisor. Also in 2019, I started costume designing around town! It has been an insane amount of work. I don’t get many days off because I am usually working on two or more projects at a time. But I have always felt incredibly lucky to have a career in the arts. It is a business like no other, and the people I have met along the way have shaped my life immensely. It’s a hard business, but feels worth it when I get to sit and watch an opening night of a show I designed, or when a performer tells me they felt safe and taken care of because of me.
I think what sets me apart from others is my goal to make sure everyone is comfortable and feels good in what they are wearing. At first rehearsal for every show I design, I always tell the cast that my two main goals are to make sure they LOOK great, and to make sure they FEEL great, and to let me know if at any point that isn’t the case. It’s incredibly important to me that performers feel their absolute best onstage.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think the most important thing people can do to support artists is to support their art! Go see a musical, check out an art exhibit, or find a local band playing a show. I believe art is vital to the human experience and I think now more than ever, artists need support. The cost of living keeps going up, and artists are struggling to create art while making a living. So please support local art!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being a theatre artist is creating beautiful things with beautiful people. Every department spends so much time getting every element ready for a production, and having a front row seat to see theatre magic come to life is very fulfilling and special.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: pinkjessie13

Image Credits

RDG Photography
Becky Toma
Leslie Simon