Katie Robbins

Katie Robbins, one of the greatest costume designers to ever grace the Otterbein College faculty in the Theatre department retired after 30-plus years at the College. (www.otterbein.edu/theatre) Prior to beginning her career as resident costume designer for the College, she worked as a professional actress. Her final show, West Side Story, in which she played Maria was a complete success. However, during the run of the show, her dance partner dropped her on her back causing so much injury to her back that she could no longer dance successfully ruining her acting career. Deciding to not give up on theatre completely, she made the most important decision of her career. Going back to school to get her MFA in costume design, she interviewed at Otterbein College. Once given the position, she designed many shows including her final show Tartuffe. She is best known for her period work and has been published in many regional and local newspapers for her outstanding designs. Her students fondly refer to her as "mad lady cowan" and she considers her job to be "like herding cats" meaning, fun, but always entertaining. Everyone at the college will miss her cackle completely, and are sad to see her go. Erik Christensen and David Camaano had a hard time letting her go, but are able to impersonate her almost exactly which allows them to terrorize Marci the costume shop supervisor. Almost daily the call of "Marci, all the Hancocks are goin' out of business" resounds through the hall where the costume shop resides. Currently Katie Robbins is enjoying her retirement by taking time to relax but also continuing her lifelong pursuit of learning by creating costume and make-up designs for several area theatre companies. [http://www.toddalancrain.com/News%20Page%20Pix/Marci%20Me%20and%20Katie%20at%20Otterbein%20Benefit.jpg]