Fiona Shaw-Mumford

I studied design and technical theatre at UConn after several friends and relatives recommended the program and immediately fell in love with the world of costume design.  Through my studies I gained a general understanding of the design process of each focus in technical theatre, as well as basic drafting and rendering.  As I was able to focus more on the costuming aspect, I gained quite a knowledge in historic costume as well as design and rendering through undergraduate and graduate courses, assistantships, and working in the costume shop on campus.  I also developed construction and alteration skills as well as tailoring and millinery, which enhance my competency in costuming productions.

 

Since graduation I have worked as a stitcher and scenic painter for several performing arts magnet schools, a scenic artist at Global Scenic Services on large scale productions for clients like Disney, NBC, etc., and as a wardrobe assistant at the Goodspeed Opera House, the Ogunquit Playhouse and The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH. 

 

I was born and raised in Manchester, CT into a wonderfully supportive family of Irish hooligans.  From an early age I discovered my love for dance and took up lessons in ballet, tap and Irish dancing, the last being my focus.  I began competing in Irish dance and eventually became proficient enough to go to regional, national and international championship feisanna and oireachtas (competitions) both as a solo dancer and on ceili, or team dancing.  I also began assistant teaching classes of nearly every level, from young toddler beginners to competitive preteens to adults simply having a good time.  I retired from competition when I graduated high school, but still teach from time to time as well as work on choreography for shows.

 

I also had the opportunity to travel to England and Ireland multiple times, which has largely influenced my interest in not only history, architecture, culture and arts but also in my own heritage.

 

I love drinking tea, baking scones and watching period dramas.  I prefer pen and ink drawing to all else, enjoy traveling and ideally would live in the Shire.  Or a fancy treehouse.  Either would do just fine.