Jack of Many Outfits, Master of Some
I think one of the hardest things when coming to college was realizing that essentially I would only have time to do one thing. This did not abide.
I have since been struggling and grappling with the idea of assuming just one role. A designer. And as college hurdled on, a scenic designer. Here I was, one girl with one label. But, all my life I've thought of myself as many things. I love to write, perform, paint, do a sport or two and just obsess over pop culture. When so many people think of you as just one thing, it's hard not to as well.
But, then there's Playground. And if you aren't involved in the cult-like whirlwind that is Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, Playground is 1 week where everyone collaborates with each other on new work. Much of the point of it is to branch out from your one major and do other things. For instance, last year I wrote and directed a show to a certain degree. Some people make movies, some people sing, some people manage the whole damn thing. For me, this year has been hard to wear just one hat. So, this last week I really relished the opportunity to feel like a fully-fleshed out human being with multiple facets.
This week I assumed many outfits. In one, I was a piece of singing Gingerbread. In another, I wore a denim apron I've had for way too long to paint my mural. In another, I was a hot mess who had been up for way too long to blow up some balloons and gather silly string. But, all of them were me. I spent a long time last year trying to figure out how a "designer" dresses. I observed all the hip and happening designers I knew. Everyone wore some semblance of a chic black silhouette with sometimes statement jewelry. As a man, there tends to be dark wash jeans, a button down and perhaps a hat. So, I guided my style towards what one of these successful designers might wear. Chic but still artsy, you know. And even though I love being a designer, it seemed like when I worked these other aspects of my interests and self into my clothing, I felt so much more whole.
When I leave Carnegie Mellon in a year and a half, I don't have to be known for my major anymore. I won't be in a little section of the school, I'll be a human being in the world. When I'm out there, I don't have to be Jamie The Designer, or Jamie The Assistant Scenic Designer or whatever. I can just be Jamie, or even Jamie The Artist. And remembering that is pivotal right now. With what I've learned I can do many things.
I have since been struggling and grappling with the idea of assuming just one role. A designer. And as college hurdled on, a scenic designer. Here I was, one girl with one label. But, all my life I've thought of myself as many things. I love to write, perform, paint, do a sport or two and just obsess over pop culture. When so many people think of you as just one thing, it's hard not to as well.
But, then there's Playground. And if you aren't involved in the cult-like whirlwind that is Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, Playground is 1 week where everyone collaborates with each other on new work. Much of the point of it is to branch out from your one major and do other things. For instance, last year I wrote and directed a show to a certain degree. Some people make movies, some people sing, some people manage the whole damn thing. For me, this year has been hard to wear just one hat. So, this last week I really relished the opportunity to feel like a fully-fleshed out human being with multiple facets.
This week I assumed many outfits. In one, I was a piece of singing Gingerbread. In another, I wore a denim apron I've had for way too long to paint my mural. In another, I was a hot mess who had been up for way too long to blow up some balloons and gather silly string. But, all of them were me. I spent a long time last year trying to figure out how a "designer" dresses. I observed all the hip and happening designers I knew. Everyone wore some semblance of a chic black silhouette with sometimes statement jewelry. As a man, there tends to be dark wash jeans, a button down and perhaps a hat. So, I guided my style towards what one of these successful designers might wear. Chic but still artsy, you know. And even though I love being a designer, it seemed like when I worked these other aspects of my interests and self into my clothing, I felt so much more whole.
When I leave Carnegie Mellon in a year and a half, I don't have to be known for my major anymore. I won't be in a little section of the school, I'll be a human being in the world. When I'm out there, I don't have to be Jamie The Designer, or Jamie The Assistant Scenic Designer or whatever. I can just be Jamie, or even Jamie The Artist. And remembering that is pivotal right now. With what I've learned I can do many things.
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