Work History
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
Head of Wardrobe Eisenhower Theater, April 2023 - Present
The Eisenhower Theater hosts world-class dance, theater, and opera performances including Broadway tours and ballets. As Head of Wardrobe, I liaise with touring production staff and designers to plan and carry out costume load-in, pack-out, and care for garments throughout their exciting stay at the Kennedy Center. I also lead the local union wardrobe calls and ensure that all contract guidelines are observed.
Intiman Theatre, Seattle, WA
Costume Shop Manager and College Course Instructor, Dec 2021 - March 2023
Intiman is a mid-sized venue with a respected history of engaging the local community in socially-conscious drama. In my time at this lovely theater, I managed 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 also instructed college students enrolled in the Associate of Arts Degree. Students learned basic sewing techniques and beginning pattern-making skills.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Becket, MA
Wardrobe Supervisor, Summer 2022
During my beautiful summer in the Berkshire Mountains, I ensured a smoothly running wardrobe department for one of the oldest and most prestigious dance festivals in the country. Overseeing a staff of adults, ranging in skills from professionals to 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. This was a phenomenally busy summer but I was especially proud of my ability to pay attention to production needs, plan ahead, and organize staff work schedules for efficient and professional costume care.
Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago, IL
Cutter, Costume Shop Assistant, November 2021
I was pleased to serve as draper for the lead female's opening look, creating the pattern and mock-up, assisting in the fittings, making adjustments, and, finally, cutting and sewing the final garment. As the shop assistant, I also helped to set up the pop-up shop in the gorgeous Studebaker Building, took notes during all other fittings, and directed the work flow in the absence of the costume shop manager.
The Western Stage, Salinas, CA
Costume Shop Manager (maternity leave fill-in), Costume Designer, Aug-Oct 2021
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.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Beckett, MA
Assistant Wardrobe, Summer 2021
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.
The Western Stage, Salinas, CA
Assistant Costume Designer, Cutter, Stitcher, Wardrobe/Wigs, Summer 2019
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.
The American School in Japan
Musical Director, Costume Designer, Set Designer, Economics Teacher, 2005- May 2020
While teaching a full load of AP economics classes, I also directed school plays. This entailed coordinating the efforts of over 100 students, parents, and adult supervisors to produce plays and musicals. I adored exploring blocking and character choices with actors, creating set and costume designs, communicating with production heads, and discussing artistic decisions with vocal and instrumental directors.
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)
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
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
Head of Wardrobe Eisenhower Theater, April 2023 - Present
The Eisenhower Theater hosts world-class dance, theater, and opera performances including Broadway tours and ballets. As Head of Wardrobe, I liaise with touring production staff and designers to plan and carry out costume load-in, pack-out, and care for garments throughout their exciting stay at the Kennedy Center. I also lead the local union wardrobe calls and ensure that all contract guidelines are observed.
Intiman Theatre, Seattle, WA
Costume Shop Manager and College Course Instructor, Dec 2021 - March 2023
Intiman is a mid-sized venue with a respected history of engaging the local community in socially-conscious drama. In my time at this lovely theater, I managed 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 also instructed college students enrolled in the Associate of Arts Degree. Students learned basic sewing techniques and beginning pattern-making skills.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Becket, MA
Wardrobe Supervisor, Summer 2022
During my beautiful summer in the Berkshire Mountains, I ensured a smoothly running wardrobe department for one of the oldest and most prestigious dance festivals in the country. Overseeing a staff of adults, ranging in skills from professionals to 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. This was a phenomenally busy summer but I was especially proud of my ability to pay attention to production needs, plan ahead, and organize staff work schedules for efficient and professional costume care.
Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago, IL
Cutter, Costume Shop Assistant, November 2021
I was pleased to serve as draper for the lead female's opening look, creating the pattern and mock-up, assisting in the fittings, making adjustments, and, finally, cutting and sewing the final garment. As the shop assistant, I also helped to set up the pop-up shop in the gorgeous Studebaker Building, took notes during all other fittings, and directed the work flow in the absence of the costume shop manager.
The Western Stage, Salinas, CA
Costume Shop Manager (maternity leave fill-in), Costume Designer, Aug-Oct 2021
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.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Beckett, MA
Assistant Wardrobe, Summer 2021
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.
The Western Stage, Salinas, CA
Assistant Costume Designer, Cutter, Stitcher, Wardrobe/Wigs, Summer 2019
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.
The American School in Japan
Musical Director, Costume Designer, Set Designer, Economics Teacher, 2005- May 2020
While teaching a full load of AP economics classes, I also directed school plays. This entailed coordinating the efforts of over 100 students, parents, and adult supervisors to produce plays and musicals. I adored exploring blocking and character choices with actors, creating set and costume designs, communicating with production heads, and discussing artistic decisions with vocal and instrumental directors.
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)
Skills
- Strong, compassionate leadership
- Highly organized with great planning and communication skills
- Well-versed in costume patterning, draping, and construction
- Familiar with wig maintenance and ventilation
- 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
- 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
