A few weeks into rehearsals, costume designer Celeste Jennings sat down with associate director Dawn M. Simmons to talk about what inspired her creative process on Fat Ham — and how the characters of the play inspire her as well.

Dawn Simmons: (associate director): How did you come into costume design?

Celeste Jennings (costume designer): I didn’t know anything about theater – and especially technical theater – when I was younger. But when I was in undergrad, I was assigned to the costume shop as my work study, because I knew how to sew. It changed my whole life; I experienced what it meant to work in production, be backstage – and understand the entire craft, profession, and magic of costume design.

How did you find your inspiration for Fat Ham?

I have always been the most attracted to Opal, Juicy, and Larry, specifically the way the rebel against their parents. Opal is trying to honor her mom … yet also resist. I really tried to design the show from the perspective of these young people and the ways they have been sheltered by what their parents think they should do or who they should be.

How does your work interact with the themes of the story?

Family, being true to yourself, finding and honoring yourself … That is really beautiful. I would add being rooted in Black Southern life as an important theme to me in these costumes. I’m from Arkansas, and it really felt like home to me to design these characters. I felt like I was shopping for my uncles, making research collages for Rev and Pap; I had my cousins in mind when I’m thinking about Tio, Larry, Juicy, and Opal. It’s always really important to me to put myself in the shoes of the characters and figure out how they want to present themselves. Each of these characters is so intricate, beautiful – and really proud of who they are, even if they are dealing with so much. We’ve had fun in fittings, figuring out what opulence and beauty means for every single one of these characters.

I love that. I don’t know how many folks would know what the fitting process is. Can you talk a little bit about the practicalities of your work?

Fittings are so fun! I love them. Before rehearsals, I sit down and draw sketches of what I think these people look like and what their clothes look like; I have all these ideas – but it means everything and also nothing because then you meet another human being whose job is to act and physically bring these characters to life. I’m always excited about collaborating, being flexible, changing to make sure that the actor feels comfortable. It’s so much more than what is in my imagination. We’re all creating something together.

So in the fitting room, it’s so important to me to have multiple options of what I have on the page. I might have a shirt that looks exactly like what I’ve drawn, but also backup shirts that are maybe a little bit different. I like to have a wild card option, just in case that actually becomes our favorite. We try on a ton of clothes, take our time, and figure out what feels right. At the Huntington, it’s so incredible to have such a large and incredibly talented costume shop. Everyone is a master of their craft, passionate about the work, and so kind. Bringing the play to life here is a dream come true; the design is in such great hands, from my first sketch to final fittings.

What have these characters taught you?

Do you know? More than anything, Opal, Larry, and Juicy have taught me about bravery. I really admire what they’re going through in this play, they experience so many breakthroughs. They are right on the cusp to standing in their light, in the beauty of who they are. In a lot of facets of myself, I still am always trying to figure out how to be my most genuine self. I always want to show up that way, even when it’s scary.

What are you working on next?

Next, I’m designing a show at the Charleston Gaillard Center called Finding Freedom. And I’m also working on a show called Blues in the Night at Alabama Shakespeare Festival