NEW YORK - When Serra Hirsh gets crafty, the result is usually a costume of show-stopping proportions. But this year, with the pandemic raging, she’s looking back over her old costumes with a new perspective. 

She's seeing how she can break down big costumes into more streamlined versions, like a giant pair of dice and a steering wheel to be a car.

Hirsch is a voice over artist with a background in theater and set design, but she has been playing dress up for most of her life.

She’s a favorite at the Village Halloween Parade because of her extreme costumes, and she is determined to hold on to that spirit this year, even though the actual parade is canceled.

"We loved dressing up as kids and we need to tap into that, especially now," said Hirsh.

Instead of creating one over the top costume this years, she’s making smaller costumes out of her previous creations. It’s her greatest hits album, and people are showing interest.

"You know, kids are still getting dressing up this year, some adults are still dressing up. I want to be able to give that to people," Hirsh said while looking through her materials, including a wheel with sheep that someone could wear.

Shuttling up and down the stairs between her apartment and her studio on her roof, Hersch is as busy now as she ever was any Halloween. 
 

She’s also recycling a famed costume for herself in a photo booth style photo, sort of recreating it as a puppet for the virtual Halloween Parade.

Even though some things are quite different this year, Serra is optimistic.

“Sometimes it makes you appreciate things more when you have them taken away. Even if it’s just for a short time. It will make it that much more fun to go back next year,” said Hirsh.

And yes, she already knows what she’ll dress up as next year, but like any good costumer, she's keeping it a secret. We'll have to wait until next year to find out.