Theater students at Ohio University are learning that classwork can mean more than earning a grade as they make hats for cancer patients.
Having the students complete a community service project in the classroom gives them more of a personal connection to their work
said Sharon Romina, the project coordinator for OU's partnership with the American Cancer Society. It makes them take pride in their work and want to do a better job.
Theater 131, Elements of Stagecraft is a three-part class that meets each fall. It introduces students to the lighting, prop and costume shops where they will be working throughout the year.
In the sewing portion of the class, students learn to properly work all of the machines and several different techniques for sewing. The students' final project in the class is the production of two different styles of hats, a soft beret and a roll-up brim bucket hat. They are made out of soft, warm fleece material so they will be comfortable to wear, said Kjersten Lester-Moratzka, assistant professor in costume technology.
The hats are obviously going to be really cute said Shannon Steere, a freshman theater major. I really hope that people like them.
Lester-Moratzka, the program's founder, said the hat making is a worthwhile project, not only because students learn the skills in the sewing shop that they will need for their degree, but also because they are able to become involved in a nonprofit organization.
Lester-Moratzka first became interested in this project at Louisiana State University where students donated hats to patients in the Baton Rouge area. She brought the project with her when she came to OU.
The class will produce approximately 60 hats this quarter to be donated to the American Cancer Society and then distributed to cancer patients throughout Ohio.
This is something useful
said Lester-Moratzka. It is not just sewing in a circle on a piece of cloth but actually a tangible object.
The hats are distributed through the American Cancer Society's Look Good G? Feel Better program. In this program, beauticians donate their time to help cancer patients literally look good in order to feel better. They teach tasks such as applying makeup and tying scarves.
Hair loss is a huge issue especially for women
Romina said. They are really losing a part of their identity. Even a little thing like a hat can mean a great deal.
In the previous three years that the program has been running, theater students made approximately 150 hats in a variety of colors and patterns that have been distributed across the state.
Freshman theater major Will Handford is excited about the idea of working on the hats because he had a cousin who passed away from cancer.
It makes you want to do a better job
Handford said. It is different if you are going to wear it or if it is going to be for someone else.
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