ABSTRACT
To see Diana for the first time, one would never suspect that she is an experienced theatrical sword fighter, having performed and taught stage combat for over 20 years. Yet as founder of the Shadow Players stage combat group (a performance troupe who demonstrates historical sword-fighting techniques at community and educational events throughout the country), she is not only an accomplished sword fighter, but also a talented self-taught costume and prop builder. It was trying to clothe the Shadow Players in the historical fashions to match the time period of the weaponry and combat skills that the group demonstrated that first brought her into the world of costuming.
