It鈥檚 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 琉璃神社, Huyter is in charge of costumes for 57 people for Puccini鈥檚 opera, La Boheme.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very crowded in here. I do have quite the challenge,鈥� says Huyter, 鈥渏ust the sheer amount of people, and the main characters are coming from all over the globe.鈥�

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

鈥淚鈥檓 pretty good at puzzles, I figured it out,鈥� she says laughing.

The Opera 琉璃神社鈥檚 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.

鈥淪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鈥檚 Thrift Store, and I got a bunch at the Mental Health Thrift Store. I scored pretty good, and I had my own stash.鈥�

This is Huyter鈥檚 second year with Opera 琉璃神社. Last year she did costumers for their production of The Magic Flute.

鈥淚t was all from scratch, and it was more fairy tale so it was more challenging because I had to create.鈥�

This year included a lot of shopping but she did get to make the main characters鈥� outfits.

鈥淚 often work until two in the morning. I do most of my work between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. That鈥檚 when people are leaving me alone, I鈥檓 uninterrupted. I love being interrupted but that doesn鈥檛 bode well for getting work done.鈥�

Huyter loves the challenge of creating unique costumes.

鈥淭he females need to look extra special and the toy seller is a Willy Wonky type.鈥�

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鈥檚 dress rehearsal time and then, the big night.

鈥淒ress rehearsals make me nervous but on opening night I鈥檓 fine.鈥�

She will be there in case any emergency repairs are needed but she knows that the costumes aren鈥檛 going to be that comfortable.

鈥淭he action takes place in winter. They are onstage under lighting. The main characters get a bit of reprieve because they鈥檙e supposed to be indoors and don鈥檛 have to wear coats. The chorus members are going to cook. I don鈥檛 know if they know that yet.鈥�

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