It害羞草研究所檚 possible that no woman in Salmon Arm has more clothes in her house than Keren Huyter. On Facebook she posted a picture that shows jam-packed racks surrounded by boxes overflowing with shoes and hats, large plastic bags squeezed together, and even the window sill is piled high with items. Walking space is at a minimum.

But none of it is hers. As costume designer for Opera Kelowna, Huyter is in charge of costumes for 57 people for Puccini害羞草研究所檚 opera, La Boheme.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 very crowded in here. I do have quite the challenge,害羞草研究所� says Huyter, 害羞草研究所渏ust the sheer amount of people, and the main characters are coming from all over the globe.害羞草研究所�

In fact, one of the actors sent his measurement chart back to her in German.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 pretty good at puzzles, I figured it out,害羞草研究所� she says laughing.

The Opera Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 version is set in the 1920s, so Huyter spent a lot of time scouring local shops for vintage pieces as well as sewing costumes for the main characters.

害羞草研究所淪ome (characters) just need old pea-coats. I found some at the NOSBIS garage sale. The story takes place in the winter so everyone has coats and hats on. I was at the Shuswap Theatre, upstairs at Church害羞草研究所檚 Thrift Store, and I got a bunch at the Mental Health Thrift Store. I scored pretty good, and I had my own stash.害羞草研究所�

This is Huyter害羞草研究所檚 second year with Opera Kelowna. Last year she did costumers for their production of The Magic Flute.

害羞草研究所淚t was all from scratch, and it was more fairy tale so it was more challenging because I had to create.害羞草研究所�

This year included a lot of shopping but she did get to make the main characters害羞草研究所� outfits.

害羞草研究所淚 often work until two in the morning. I do most of my work between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. That害羞草研究所檚 when people are leaving me alone, I害羞草研究所檓 uninterrupted. I love being interrupted but that doesn害羞草研究所檛 bode well for getting work done.害羞草研究所�

Huyter loves the challenge of creating unique costumes.

害羞草研究所淭he females need to look extra special and the toy seller is a Willy Wonky type.害羞草研究所�

Huyter still has lots of work to do but the costume fitting went perfectly, from the lead characters to the 19 children in the chorus. Now with the fittings done, it害羞草研究所檚 dress rehearsal time and then, the big night.

害羞草研究所淒ress rehearsals make me nervous but on opening night I害羞草研究所檓 fine.害羞草研究所�

She will be there in case any emergency repairs are needed but she knows that the costumes aren害羞草研究所檛 going to be that comfortable.

害羞草研究所淭he action takes place in winter. They are onstage under lighting. The main characters get a bit of reprieve because they害羞草研究所檙e supposed to be indoors and don害羞草研究所檛 have to wear coats. The chorus members are going to cook. I don害羞草研究所檛 know if they know that yet.害羞草研究所�

Show dates are Friday, August 18, and Saturday, August 19, 7:30 p.m. There are still some tickets left. Order online at operakelowna.com