Spotlight: Masen Odell’s Award-Winning Costume Construction

At a recent Fort Collins ASG program, we were inspired by Poudre High School student and costume designer, Masen Odell, who shared the story behind her very first dress—created for the production of “The Thirteen Clocks” at the Colorado State Thespian Conference (ThesCon).

Masen’s journey began with a vision for a dramatic black-and-red costume that would become a centerpiece on stage. She combined two commercial patterns—one chosen for its open, drapey sleeves—and then took the extra step of draping the bodice herself. The result was a striking, custom-fitted design that showcased both creativity and technical skill.

The costume’s construction included unique challenges: a pleather collar with wire hand-sewn inside for structure, and a total of 180 hours spent on the project (including 80 hours redoing sections to get them just right). Masen also had to balance her own creative ideas with the director’s vision, learning to communicate and problem-solve under a tight deadline.

The project’s materials were sourced with care and budget in mind, using sales and discounts at JoAnn’s:

• Stretch Satin: 3.5 yards at $7/yard (60% off)

• Pleather: 3 yards at $7.50/yard (50% off)

• Thread, zipper, floral wire, trim, and lace

• Patterns: 2 on sale at $2 each

Total cost: $84.57

Masen’s presentation was not only a showcase of her award-winning costume but also a vivid lesson in persistence, technical skill, and the power of creative problem-solving. Her willingness to take on such an ambitious project—and to share the ups and downs with our guild—was truly inspiring.

If you’d like to see more of Masen’s work and the Poudre theatre costumes in action, tickets are available for upcoming productions at poudretheatre.org.

We’re grateful to Masen for sharing her journey and look forward to seeing what she creates next!