At Franklin & Marshall College, learning by doing is a hallmark of the Diplomat experience. This philosophy comes to life for more than 1,000 students who engage in on-campus employment.

 

Among the fabric, thread, and sewing machines in F&M’s costume shop, Faustina Baffowaa Osei ’28 found an enriching way to connect with the arts while honing versatile real-world skills. As a costume stitcher, the women’s, gender, and sexuality studies major and international studies minor is helping build the wardrobe for F&M’s upcoming production of Urinetown.

“Being at F&M has encouraged me to explore different opportunities on campus, and the costume shop offered a chance to be part of the performing arts community even though my major is outside of theater,” she said. “I’ve always been interested in fashion, creative spaces and collaborative environments, so working in the costume shop felt like a natural fit.”

 

In her role, Osei assists with costume preparation for theater productions. 

“My responsibilities include organizing costumes, assisting with fittings, making minor repairs or alterations, and helping maintain the costume inventory,” she said. “I also help prepare costumes before rehearsals and performances to make sure everything is ready for the actors.”

 

Osei said one of the most fascinating parts about working in the costume shop is seeing the work that goes into creating costumes for a production. 

“From design and fabric choices to fittings and final adjustments, every detail contributes to the storytelling on stage,” she said. “It’s exciting to see a costume go from an idea to something an actor wears during a performance.”

 

As a women’s, gender, and sexuality studies major and international studies minor, Osei said she’s passionate about understanding gender inequality and the ways social, cultural, and political systems shape people’s experiences around the world.

 

“I’m especially interested in women’s empowerment globally and in learning how policies, activism, and education can help create more equitable opportunities for women and marginalized communities,” said Osei, an international student from Ghana. “After graduation, I hope to pursue opportunities that allow me to work in spaces focused on women’s empowerment and global social justice. Ultimately, I want to contribute to efforts that help improve opportunities and equity for women around the world.”

 

Osei said that while working in the costume shop seems dissonant with her areas of study, her experience has helped her develop valuable skills, including teamwork, organization, attention to detail, and communication.

 

“These are skills that are important in any career, and this experience has helped me become more confident in working collaboratively and taking responsibility for tasks,” she said. “One piece of advice that has stayed with me is to take my time and focus on doing things carefully because even small details can make a big difference in the final result.”

 

Osei chose to attend F&M because of the College’s strong liberal arts foundation and the invaluable opportunities for students to explore different interests.

“My experience at F&M has encouraged me to be curious, open to learning new skills, and willing to try opportunities outside of my comfort zone,” she said. “Working in the costume shop reflects the kind of hands-on learning that F&M promotes, where students can apply creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving in real situations.”

Real-World Learning at F&M

Your ideas may start in the classroom, but they won’t be contained there. At F&M, you can connect the things you care about to meaningful experiences, including research, internships, volunteering, and more.

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