Kelly Marie Schaefer Iowa State University, Theatre Department 2130 Pearson Hall Ames, IA 50014 March 12,

2014 To whom this may concern, It is with great pleasure that I write to you on behalf of Laura Perkins. I cannot give higher praise and recommendation to her work and positive attitude. I have known Laura both as a student and as a friend for the past eleven years. Laura was a student of mine in costume design and technology at Arkansas State University, and as time progressed she also became my employee in the costume shop. In the years that I have known Laura she has proven herself to be an extremely talented and dedicated person. By the time she graduated from the ASU Theatre program with her MA she was my most valued and trusted student. Her attention to detail in costume construction is marvelous. Her pattern making skills are superior. She has a good knowledge of dying fabrics as well as costume craft techniques. Most importantly I could rely upon Laura for assistance with underclassmen. She was always eager to answer questions of her fellow students in regards to machine and hand sewing, serging, and organizing stock. In fact there was many a time when she would re-thread a serger for me after an underclassman unknowingly ran out of thread! She was a truly invaluable assistant to me on every show. Due to her advanced degree Laura was asked to assist professors in many classes at ASU. Immediately after graduation, she was employed as a theatre teacher at a small community college. In fact, when I had the opportunity to take a job at the Metropolitan Opera, Laura was asked by the chair of the ASU theatre department to take over my spring semester classes. She was looked up to by the underclassmen of the department as someone who could help with their studies. She often organized and lead study groups. Laura is currently working at Simpson College which is very close to where I currently teach. This close proximity has allowed me to view many examples of her current work and I have even had the opportunity to be a KC/ACTF respondent to several shows she had designed. Her work as a teacher and designer has gotten even better with time. Her designs are very clearly thought out and executed with precision. I have often recommended her to local professional theatres in the area for freelance design work. Laura Perkins is an intelligent, reliable and organized person who will strive for excellence in all she is asked to do. If I can offer any further recommendation for Laura please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Kelly Marie Schaefer kellyms@iastate.edu