Pierce costume shop creates looks for schools, theaters across the state

PIERCE, Neb. (KOLN) – In Pierce’s old grocery store building, are racks and racks of 20,000 costume pieces, organized by era and genre. Some of them were designed by Kathy Steinkamp, the owner of In the Spotlight Costume Shop.

“I have been sewing now for 50 years,” Steinkamp said.

She puts her skills to work with about three regular seamstresses.

“This is what I specialize in,” she said, pulling out an ostrich costume. “This is the ostrich’s tail, and when he’s worn, he bounces up and down when the person is walking.”

Steinkamp creates looks for theaters, costume parties and directors at 38-45 schools. She remembers being in their shoes.

“I was a teacher. I still teach,” Steinkamp said during a tour of the shop. “I teach kids in China (online) at night, and then I do this in the daytime.”

Steinkamp taught and directed plays for over two decades in the Norfolk area.

“And the whole time, I was bringing kids up here to a warehouse facility on the other side of (Pierce), Steinkamp said. ”And I thought, ‘Gee, I’d really like to have this place.’

Pierce’s costume shop has had many owners before Steinkamp, including Marci Zierke, Julie Moss and Laurel Miller. Steinkamp even sewed for Miller when her kids were young.

The store went up for sale in 2020.

“So I bought it the same day,” beamed Steinkamp. “And it has been my happy place. It has been just a joy.”

Steinkamp moved the business into Pierce’s old grocery store building where people can shop through a timeline of outfits.

“We have a lot of authentic pieces in here,” Steinkamp said. “This is an authentic, 1930s-style jacket. A lot of our selection is donated, but we’re very picky about the quality of clothing that we accept.”

Along with vintage clothing, In the Spotlight Costume Shop also has areas for fantasy, military, pirates, celebrities and countless classic props. Her shop also rents out tuxedos and sells formal wear.

Her favorite area of the store is titled “World.”

“And if you walk down the aisle, you’ll see that this is all stuff from different parts of the world,” Steinkamp said.

Gretna High Schools has one of the best NSAA Play Production records in the state, and they’ve been getting costumes from Pierce for 22 years.

“If you let (Kathy) know what genre you’re in, or if it’sa play that she’s really familiar with – sometimes she’ll know the characters, and she’ll guide things or pull things,” said Erin Pollard.

The school’s creative director said she remembers getting costumes from Pierce when she was a Gretna High School student.

“I don’t think we could pull of an entire season without (the costume shop),” Pollard said. “There’s so many aspects to one act and costumes is a huge part of it.”

Some pieces were collected from Steinkamp’s experiences as a traveling missionary. Yet she chooses to stay in the small town of Pierce as a business owner.

“I have to really give kudos to the town because they wanted us here,” Steinkamp said.

And now she helps transform people and plays in Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska.

In the Spotlight Costume Shop is located at 115 S Brown St. inPierce. You can follow the shop on Facebook or visit their website for more information and store hours.

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