Katie Klingvall’s love of theatre came with her creative and outgoing personality.
Starting as a stitcher at Theatre Calgary and eventually heading its wardrobe department— with a brief hiatus to join the circus–Klingvall’s career has always showcased her passion.
While working as an entry-level stitcher at Theatre Calgary in 2004, Klingvall’s understanding of technology helped her realize the potential of incorporating it into the more manual work of costume and wardrobe. This realization helped her advance her career.
At the time, the head of wardrobe and wardrobe rentals wasn’t very tech-savvy or fond of computers.
“I made myself more available,” says Klingvall.
She started helping out with paperwork and online shopping when it became more prominent.
“I kind of, in a sense, created my own role.”
Although Klingvall enjoyed stitching at Theatre Calgary and helping out when needed, she realized she missed getting more involved with the shows and interacting with the actors.
Off to the circus
In 2010, she had a chance to apply for a position working in a circus in Macau, China.
“Macau was the Vegas of the East,” says the costumer.
A friend who was already working in Macau encouraged her to consider the job. The interview process was a year long.
“I had lost all hope in it,” says Klingvall, she felt the idea “was more of a whim, until they messaged me.”
The circus contacted Klingvall in October. She got her blue card, and by the beginning of November, she was in Macau.
She worked as a dresser for the female ensemble of the water show The House of Dancing Water, created by the large-scale theatre show company DRAGONE. There were acrobats, including straps numbers and aerialists — even motorcycles were involved in the show.
Eventually, Klingvall became a swing dresser, which involved learning everyone’s role in case someone was unavailable, leaving her to take over.
It was a massive job, especially as the company began to grow larger.
“When I started there, I think there were 84 artists in the show,” says Klingvall. “By the time I left, I think there were 120 people.”
Home at the theatre
Once she returned to Calgary in 2013, Klingvall went right back into her role at Theatre Calgary. She would then work her way up to become the head of wardrobe and wardrobe rentals.
Her job in each show varies, but one of her main roles is to support the designers and the shop in their visions to keep the show running smoothly.
“You’re never doing the same thing,” says the costumer.
At times throughout her career, Klingvall has also worked in the film industry as a truck costumer. This involves her being at base camps on sets, getting everybody ready and keeping track of all the costumes.
She worked on the set of Brokeback Mountain back in 2005, Prey in 2022, and season one of My Life With The Walter Boys, among other productions.
Klingvall likes working in film but always comes back to theatre because she loves the sense of community. When she first started working at Theatre Calgary, Klingvall says what struck her was the inviting environment.
“It had a little bit of a feeling of being a family,” says Klingvall. “I have tried to keep that throughout all my years here.”
Knowing that Theatre Calgary’s shop has a good reputation across Canada, she wants to maintain that sense of pride.
Juli Elkiw, assistant head of wardrobe at Theatre Calgary, appreciates how Klingvall has brought such an uplifting environment to Theatre Calgary.
“Theatre often is very friendly and supportive, but I feel this is the maximum,” says Elkiw. “She is great to work with, I feel really lucky.”
Through Klingvall’s knowledge, creative abilities, and desire to keep a sense of community, she has been able to branch out into various roles in her career and express herself in the most creative ways possible. To her, theatre allows her to express her creativity in many ways and has a big impact on who she is.