Prof. Triffin Morris Awards Athene Wright at USITT

April 1, 2024

A few weeks ago, Professor Triffin Morris awarded alumni Athene Wright with the Matera Award. The speech Prof. Morris gave is below:

“Barbara Matera was renowned as a maker of costumes for Broadway, ballet, opera and film.  Her legacy is one of the highest quality garments and of beauty, inside and out.  The Barbara Matera Award for Costume Making is awarded in her honor to an individual who demonstrates excellence or outstanding potential as a costume maker for the performing arts and/or the entertainment industries.  Regardless of the area of expertise, milliner, draper, tailor, shop manager or craftsperson, these artists work tirelessly behind the scenes to realize the designer’s vision.  Their dedication, integrity and creativity are the backbone of our industry.

I can’t imagine a person more deserving of this award than Athene Wright.  She consistently creates stunning garments.  She embraces research in all its forms; digging deep into historic bustles, making panniers out of bamboo, digitally printing a hat block and creating custom fabric, just to name a few.  I’ve watched her turn our wardrobe mistress into an 1870s calendar girl and her classmate into a bumblebee.  I am so proud to call her a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill.”

Congratulations Athene!