Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department Hires Alumna as First Costume Designer

SAN LUIS OBIPSO -- Kira Franz-Knight, who earned a bachelor's degree in
history from Cal Poly in 1994, has returned to campus -- this time as a
costume designer and teacher in the Theatre and Dance Department.
"To put it simply, I love this school," said Franz-Knight, the Theatre
and Dance Department's first full-time costume designer.

Her first assignment as designer is for the department's upcoming
production of Molière's classic comedy "The Miser," which will play at
8 p.m. Nov. 8-10 and Nov. 15-17 in the Cal Poly Theatre.

"The costumes reflect the fashion of the late 17th to 18th century, but
will have a funky, modern appeal," Franz-Knight said.

After graduating from Cal Poly, Franz-Knight earned a Master of Fine
Arts degree in costume design from the University of Washington in 1998.

Her career in costume design actually began as a child, she explained,
when she enjoyed sketching things she read about in books, using her
creative talents to interpret what she saw in her mind.

It was not until she began her senior year at Cal Poly that she
realized how much she was fascinated by design.

"I was taking an introduction-to-Shakespeare class and sketched
costumes for the plays we put on as part of the class," Franz-Knight
said.
English Professor Patricia Troxel liked her work so much that she asked
her to design costumes for a show she was working on.

"I was totally hooked," Franz-Knight said.

In addition to her new position at Cal Poly, Franz-Knight will continue
her professional costume design business.

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(NOTE TO EDITORS: For a photo of Kira Franz-Knight, please call
Jo Ann Lloyd at 756-1511 or e-mail jlloyd@calpoly.edu.)

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