The Costume Bank, Surrey, BC

Rene Schindel is a costumer who has been dressing actors and dancers since the 90's. For several of of those years, she was the costume mistress for Footlight Theatre Company. In that time, she has costumed many productions including Anne of Green Gables, Same Time Next Year, Cinderella, Bye Bye Birdie, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, and Anything Goes at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, as well as Vaudeville Varieties at Heritage Village. She has been nominated for her work by the Community Theatre Coalition 5 of the last 6 years and has won three times. She has costumed for competitive dance groups. Rene is also a retired high school teacher who has taught Textiles from the most basic through advanced design for the last 35 years. She has served on the Kwantlen College School of Fashion Board of Advisors. Now she is using her talent to help others, especially theatre companies, with the coordination of their costumes thus allowing their costume mistresses to focus more of their attention on less pieces. She has built an outstanding collection of pieces and costumes that allows the creation of thousands of looks. She also custom-makes outfits for those who don't wish to rent.