I deeply appreciate the behind-the-scenes organization and large-scale cooperation necessary to create on-stage performances. I believe that the purpose of theater is to entertain, edify, or persuade and that the best of theater tends to do all three.
Education
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
BFA in Theater, Costume Design (1996)
Azusa Pacific University
MA in Modern Art History, Criticism, and Theory (2021)
California State University, Northridge
California State Teaching Credential (2008)
Employment
(Dec 2021 - Present) Intiman Theatre: Costume Shop Manager and College Course Instructor
Manage a union-staffed costume shop with duties that include interviewing and hiring the shop’s staff, maintaining budgets and payroll, conferencing with designers and department heads, maintaining COVID and IATSE contract regulations, and creating a warm, welcoming environment. As part of the theater’s partnership with Seattle Central College, I instruct college students enrolled in the Associate of Arts Degree in costume technology, care, and beginning patternmaking.
(Summer 2022) Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival: Wardrobe SupervisorEnsured a smoothly running wardrobe department for one of the most prestigious dance festivals in the country. Overseeing a staff of adults in addition to training interns, our department cared for the costumes of over 30 different dance groups throughout the summer festival. Along with the on-the-ground work of taking care of dancer costumes (and sometimes nerves), my work also included liaising with choreographers and designers, time-managing wardrobe staff, and general stage hand duties, as needed. I am especially proud of my ability to plan ahead for busy weeks and to organize information for efficient and clear costume care instructions.
(November 2021) Chicago Opera Theater: Cutter, Costume Shop Assistant
Pleased to serve as draper for the lead female's first look, creating the pattern and mock-up, assisting in the fittings, making adjustments, and, finally, cutting and sewing the final garment. Also helped to set up the pop-up shop, took notes during other fittings, and directed the work flow in the absence of the costume shop manager.
(Aug-Oct 2021) The Western Stage: Costume Shop Manager (maternity leave fill-in), Costume Designer
Oversaw a costume shop staff that included professional adults and student interns. Conducted fittings and alterations, liaised with wardrobe staff, and directed the flow of shop work to successfully mount four shows in less than three months. Also, created and carried out a witty costume design for their production of Native Gardens.
(Summer 2021) Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival: Assistant Wardrobe
Maintained itemized costume lists, assisted with load-in, fittings, alterations, garment care and backstage quick changes. Also gave a general helping hand with any festival needs: loading-in Marley flooring, moving sound equipment, painting, and driving dancers to and from the festival.
(Summer 2019) The Western Stage: Assistant Costume Designer, Cutter, Stitcher, Wardrobe/Wigs
As a general hand in the shop, I enthusiastically carried out alterations, patterned, and draped. As a wardrobe crew member, assisted in microphone and wig placement, backstage quick changes, and emergency repairs. I was also put in charge of combing-out and re-styling wigs after each performance.
(2005- May 2020) The American School in Japan: Director, Costume Designer, Set Designer
Coordinated the efforts of over 100 students, parents, and adult supervisors to produce plays and musicals. Explored blocking and character choices with actors, created set and costume designs, communicated with production heads, and discussed artistic decisions with vocal and instrumental directors.
Skills
Published Work
“Art and Institutions of Power: Fernando Sanchez Castillo’s Arquitectura para el Caballo”
Visual Inquiry: Learning & Teaching Art, issue 4.2
June 2015
Windows, Mirrors, Cloth: Manet’s Rejection of Empathy, ProQuest, 2021 (master’s thesis)
Contact Information
RebeccaGessert@gmail.com
Education
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
BFA in Theater, Costume Design (1996)
Azusa Pacific University
MA in Modern Art History, Criticism, and Theory (2021)
California State University, Northridge
California State Teaching Credential (2008)
Employment
(Dec 2021 - Present) Intiman Theatre: Costume Shop Manager and College Course Instructor
Manage a union-staffed costume shop with duties that include interviewing and hiring the shop’s staff, maintaining budgets and payroll, conferencing with designers and department heads, maintaining COVID and IATSE contract regulations, and creating a warm, welcoming environment. As part of the theater’s partnership with Seattle Central College, I instruct college students enrolled in the Associate of Arts Degree in costume technology, care, and beginning patternmaking.
(Summer 2022) Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival: Wardrobe SupervisorEnsured a smoothly running wardrobe department for one of the most prestigious dance festivals in the country. Overseeing a staff of adults in addition to training interns, our department cared for the costumes of over 30 different dance groups throughout the summer festival. Along with the on-the-ground work of taking care of dancer costumes (and sometimes nerves), my work also included liaising with choreographers and designers, time-managing wardrobe staff, and general stage hand duties, as needed. I am especially proud of my ability to plan ahead for busy weeks and to organize information for efficient and clear costume care instructions.
(November 2021) Chicago Opera Theater: Cutter, Costume Shop Assistant
Pleased to serve as draper for the lead female's first look, creating the pattern and mock-up, assisting in the fittings, making adjustments, and, finally, cutting and sewing the final garment. Also helped to set up the pop-up shop, took notes during other fittings, and directed the work flow in the absence of the costume shop manager.
(Aug-Oct 2021) The Western Stage: Costume Shop Manager (maternity leave fill-in), Costume Designer
Oversaw a costume shop staff that included professional adults and student interns. Conducted fittings and alterations, liaised with wardrobe staff, and directed the flow of shop work to successfully mount four shows in less than three months. Also, created and carried out a witty costume design for their production of Native Gardens.
(Summer 2021) Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival: Assistant Wardrobe
Maintained itemized costume lists, assisted with load-in, fittings, alterations, garment care and backstage quick changes. Also gave a general helping hand with any festival needs: loading-in Marley flooring, moving sound equipment, painting, and driving dancers to and from the festival.
(Summer 2019) The Western Stage: Assistant Costume Designer, Cutter, Stitcher, Wardrobe/Wigs
As a general hand in the shop, I enthusiastically carried out alterations, patterned, and draped. As a wardrobe crew member, assisted in microphone and wig placement, backstage quick changes, and emergency repairs. I was also put in charge of combing-out and re-styling wigs after each performance.
(2005- May 2020) The American School in Japan: Director, Costume Designer, Set Designer
Coordinated the efforts of over 100 students, parents, and adult supervisors to produce plays and musicals. Explored blocking and character choices with actors, created set and costume designs, communicated with production heads, and discussed artistic decisions with vocal and instrumental directors.
Skills
- Well-versed in costume patterning, draping, and construction
- Extremely proficient in the use of sewing machines: industrial, domestic, overlock/serger
- Familiar with wig maintenance and ventilation
- Creative with crafts and millinery
- Able to read sheet music
- Can safely operate scene shop equipment
- Advanced skills in Excel and Google Sheets
- Native English-speaker with Japanese language proficiency and some Spanish
- Valid Washington State driver’s license
- Highly organized with great planning and communication skills
- Reliable team member with an easy-going, friendly personality
- Strong, compassionate leadership
- Likes working with a variety of people and very comfortable teaching new skills
- Have gone through DEIJ/DEIA training
- Background interests include art history, philosophy, and the social sciences
Published Work
“Art and Institutions of Power: Fernando Sanchez Castillo’s Arquitectura para el Caballo”
Visual Inquiry: Learning & Teaching Art, issue 4.2
June 2015
Windows, Mirrors, Cloth: Manet’s Rejection of Empathy, ProQuest, 2021 (master’s thesis)
Contact Information
RebeccaGessert@gmail.com
