Tamara Diersen Treat | Phoenix Theater: An Eccentric History

Tamara Diersen Treat is one of the top costume designers working in Valley theater in the 2000s. The ariZoni Award winner is best known for her outstanding creations at Theater Works in Peoria.

THE WORK

Theater Works. 2015. Follies. Beth Anne Johnson. Follies. Photo by Misha Shields, Pretty Fish Photography.

Katie Czajkowski in “Follies,” Theater Works, 2015. Photograph by Alastair Gamble (?)

Patti Davis Suarez in "Follies,'' Theater Works, 2015. Photo by Wade Moran. — Patti Davis Suarez in “Follies,” Theater Works, 2015. Photo by Wade Moran.

Patti Davis Suarez recreates the famous Life Magazine photograph that inspired Stephen Sondheim to write ''Follies.'' Theater Works, 2015. Photo not credited, possibly by Wade Moran or Alastair Gamble. — Patti Davis Suarez recreates the famous Life Magazine photograph that inspired Stephen Sondheim to write ”Follies.” Theater Works, 2015. Photo not credited, possibly by Wade Moran or Alastair Gamble.

Kelli James in Theater Works' 2015 production of ''Follies.'' Photo by Alastair Gamble. — Kelli James in Theater Works’ 2015 production of ”Follies.” Photo by Alastair Gamble.

Shari Watts in "Follies," Theater Works, 2015. Photo by Wade Moran. — Shari Watts in “Follies,” Theater Works, 2015. Photo by Wade Moran.

Kathleen Berger in ''Follies,'' Theater Works, 2015. Photograph by Alastair Gamble. — Kathleen Berger in ”Follies,” Theater Works, 2015. Photograph by Alastair Gamble.

Theater Works. 2015. Follies. Jacqui Notorio and Joshua Vern. (Photo by Alastair Gamble)

Backstage at 'Follies', Theater Works, 2015. Beth Anne Johnson and Brandi Bigley. Photo from Beth Anne's Facebook archive. — Backstage at ‘Follies’, Theater Works, 2015. Beth Anne Johnson and Brandi Bigley. Photo from Beth Anne’s Facebook archive.

Theater Works. “I Get A Kick Out of Cole.” Roger K. Nelson, Steve Hilderbrand, Kathleen Berger, Dominik R. Rebilas, Marie Gouba, Van Katz, Alanna Kalbfleisch, Tony Blosser, Alberto Allende, Brenda Goodenberger, Alexandra Utpadel and Ken Goodenberger.

Theater Works. 2014. National Pastime. The Jingle Girls. Photo by Brett Aiken.

Theater Works. 2014. National Pastime. Ian Christiansen, Scott Hyder, Sarah Wolter. Photo by Brett Aiken.

Theater Works. 2014. National Pastime. Alanna Kalbfleisch, Sarah Wolter, Joseph Kremer. Photo by Grads Photography.

RESUME

Costume Designer/Costume Shop Manager
December 2013 – present.
Theater Works, Peoria AZ
Follies: 78 costumes, cast of 36
Quiltmaker’s Gift: 16 costumes, cast of 10
How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying: 45 costumes, cast of 22.
I Get a Kick Out Of Cole: 27 costumes, cast of 9
National Pastime: 53 costumes, cast of 12
Costume Designer
September 2012 – November 2013
Arizona Broadway Theatre
Sound of Music: 68 costumes, cast of 37, children double cast
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 83 costumes, cast of 45 including children’s chorus
9 to 5: 185 costumes, cast of 19
Annie: 95 costumes, cast of 32, all orphans double cast
Overhire Stitcher
Arizona Opera
December 2014
Built and Altered for Daughter of the Regiment , CeCe Sickler, Cutter/Draper.

Phoenix Theatre. February 2013 – March 2013
Draped, Built and Altered for La Cage Aux Folles; Liz Polley, Costume Shop Manager

Arizona Broadway Theatre. December 2011 – January 2012
Draped, Built and Altered for Singin’ in the Rain. Martha Clarke, Costume Director

Costume Shop Intern
Arizona Broadway Theatre. January 2010 – May 2010
Built and Altered for CATS and Alice and Wonderland
James DeWitt, Costume Shop Manger

Community/College Theatre Experience. Costume Designer

Paradise Valley Community College. May 2014 – July 2014
Pirate Queen: 49 costumes, cast of 26; Andrea Robertson, Producer

Musical Theatre of Anthem (Youth). August 2012 – June 2014
Carrie the Musical: 56 costumes, cast of 28; Jackie Hammond, Artistic Director.
42nd Street: 90 costumes, cast of 26 (AriZoni Awards – Best Costume Design, Youth)
Disney’s Little Mermaid, Jr.: 175 costumes, cast of 100
Thumbelina, A Swallow’s Tale (US premiere): 44 costumes, cast of 23 (NYA Nomination – Outstanding Costume Design)

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre. March 2012 – present
RENT: 83 costumes, cast of 23; Tim Shawver, Co-Director
Altar Boyz : 15 costumes, cast of 5; Terry Helland, Artistic Director

Spotlight Youth Theatre. March 2011 – October 2012
Godspell, Jr.: 31 costumes, cast of 16; Kenny Grossman, Artistic Director
CATS!: 54 costumes, cast of 25 (National Youth Arts & AriZoni Awards – Best Costume Design, Youth)
Sweeney Todd, Sch. Ed. 47 costumes, cast of 25 (NYA & AriZoni Nominations– Outstanding Costume Design, Youth)
Zombie Prom/Once More with Feeling: 110 costumes, cast of 23 (NYA Nomination– Outstanding Costume Design)
Seussical, Jr.: 53 costumes, cast of 35 (NYA Nomination – Outstanding Costume Design)

Starlight Community Theater, February, 2010 to January, 2011
Oklahoma!: 60 costumes, cast of 54 (Adult/Youth); Jackie DeAngleis, Producer
Bye, Bye Birdie: 94 costumes, cast of 41 (Adult/Youth)
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: 18 costumes, cast of 13 (Adult/Youth)

Resident Costume Designer
Creative Stages Youth Theatre. August 2009 – October 2010
Multiple Original works with youth casts of 12 to 70; Jim Gradillas, Artistic Director

Costume Designer/Stage Manager
YouthTheatrix. July – September 2008
Romeo and Juliet: 39 costumes, cast of 18 (AriZoni Nomination, Best Overall Production)

Skills:
Machine/Serger/Hand Sewing, Draping, Pattern Making, Tailoring, Airbursh Design, Theatrical Hair & Make-up Design

Kyle Lawson's guide to the Phoenix area's theaters and performers