Costume
Design
Resume
for
Elizabeth Wislar
A Selection
Designer (*denotes Draper/Technician in addition to Designer)
2022
South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, SD
Othello, Adaptation/Director Tara Moses *selected to represent the United States this June in the 2023 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space
James Madison University
New Voices in Dance, Director Ryan Corriston
Virginia Repertory Dance Company, Director Matthew Pardo x 2
Large-Scale Private Event, Chicago (NDA)
32 Performers, Director unnamed
2021
James Madison University
Virginia Repertory Dance Company, Director Matthew Pardo
2020
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, PA
The Children, Director Morgan Kaufman Bloomsburg University, PA
*10th Annual Dance Minor Concert, Director Julie Petry cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2019
Bloomsburg University, PA
Be More Chill, Director Carrie Winship
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, PA
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Director Elizabeth Dowd
Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberley, Director Andrew Hubatsek
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA *School for Wives, Director Biliana Stoytcheva
2018
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, PA
*The Legend of Georgia McBride, Director Eric Wunsch
*Marjorie Prime, Director Danny Roth
*Wizard of Oz, Director Richard Canaday
Bucknell University Opera, PA
*Dido and Aeneas, Director Elisssa Alvarez.
*Songs for a New World, Director Emily Martin
Bucknell University Theatre Department, PA
*Emilie du Chatalet Defends Her Life Tonight, Director Casey Venema.
Majik Theatre, San Antonio, TX
*A Wrinkle in Time, Director Frances Limoncelli
Tacoma Opera, WA (Costume Coordinator)
*Lucia di Lammermoor, Director Noel Koran
Penn State Altoona, PA
*TheLASTree, World Premier. Directed by Laurencio Carlos Ruiz
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
*Urinetown, Director Biliana Stoytcheva
Shakespeare’s R&J, Student Director Cody Losinger
Songs for a New World, Director C. Austin Hill
Blacktop Sky, Student Director Jennifer Spencer
SBIZ, Chicago, IL
*Large Sculpture and Assistant to the event Scenic Designer Alan Donahue
2017
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
*The 39 Steps, Director Biliana Stoytcheva
Stop Kiss, Director Carrie Winship
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, PA
The Foreigner, Director Elizabeth Dowd
*The Diary of Anne Frank, Director Danny Roth
Loyalsock Highschool, PA
*Once Upon a Mattress, Director Aaron White
BOHO Theatre Ensemble, Chicago, IL
*Urinetown, Director Stephan Schellhardt *Jeff Nomination for Costume Design
Community Arts Center, Williamsport, PA
*Jesus Christ Superstar, Director Aaron White
Majik Theatre, San Antonio, TX
*The Emperor’s Groovy New Clothes, Director Frances Limoncelli
Bucknell University Opera, PA
*Carousel, Director Emily Martin
2016
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
Almost Maine, Director Dr. Kristi Good
Tacoma Opera, WA
*Threepenny Opera, Director Noel Koran
Community Arts Center, Williamsport, PA
*Peter Pan, Director Aaron White
SBIZ, Chicago, IL
*Large Sculpture and Assistant to the event Scenic Designer Alan Donahue
2015
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
*Cabaret, Director Biliana Stoytcheva
*The Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare Abridged, Student Director Nigel Semaj
Tacoma Opera, WA
*Romeo and Juliet, Director Noel Koran
2014
Tacoma Opera, Seattle, WA and Rogue Opera Company, Ashland, OR
*Barber of Seville, Director Noel Koran
Roosevelt University Music Conservatory, Chicago, IL
*Il Viaggio A Reims, Director Andrew Eggart
St. Francis High School, Wheaton, IL
*The Wedding Singer, Director Carolyn Brady Riley
The Actor’s Gymnasium, Evanston, IL
*The Magic Exploding Boy and the Invisible Circus, Director Larry DiStasi
Oakton Community College, DesPlaines, IL
*Romeo and Juliet, Director Anthony Churchill
Sorrows and Rejoicings, Director Veronda Carey
SBIZ, Chicago, IL
Assistant to the event Scenic Designer Alan Donahue
2013
Dead Writers Collective, Chicago, IL
*Tea with Edie and Fitz, Director Jim Schneider
Oakton Community College, DesPlaines, IL
*How to Succeed in Business with Really Trying, Director Jason Fleiss
*Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Director Jason Gerace
*Noises Off, Director John Frisco
*Sweeney Todd, Director Jason Fleiss
The Actor’s Gymnasium, Evanston, IL
*Skooled, Director Larry DiStasi
*Misguided Fairytales, Director Cole Simon
*A’Musing Myths, Director Chris Mathews
St. Francis High School, Wheaton, IL
*Urinetown, Director Carolyn Brady Riley
Bell Elementary School, Chicago, IL
*Beauty and The Beast, Director Alison Newberry
Roosevelt University Music Conservatory, Chicago, IL
*Amelia, Director Andrew Eggart
Lifeline Theatre, Chicago, IL
*The Emperor’s New Threads, Director Francis Limoncelli
*Killer Angels, Director Matt Miller
St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago, IL
*Philadelphia Story, Director Kevin Bellie
*Meet Me in St. Louis, Director Kevin Bellie
Chicago Children’s Theater and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago, IL
*ABIYOYO, Director Jacqui Russell
*Stone Soup, Director Jacqui Russell
2012
Chicago Children’s Theatre, Chicago, IL
*The Houdini Box, Director Blair Thomas
Dead Writers Collective, Chicago, IL
*The Vortex, Director Jim Schneider
Oakton Community College, DesPlaines, IL
Kita Yi Fernanda, Director Catherine Karrot
*Forest Song, Director Tony Churchill
*Up, Director Brandon Bruce
New York New Musical Festival, New York, NY
*Arnie the Doughnut, Director Adam Arian
The Actor’s Gymnasium, Evanston, IL
*Lost and Found, Director Larry DiStasi
*Upcycled Circus, Director Larry DiStasi
Washington University in St. Louis, MO
*Cabaret, Director Annamaria Pillegi
St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago, IL
*The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Director Kevin Bellie
St. Xavier Community College, Oak Lawn, IL
*The Magic Flute, Director Caroline Brady Riley
Chicago Children’s Theater and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago, IL
*Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Director Jacqui Russell
2011
Oakton Community College, DesPlaines, IL
Children of a Lesser God, Director Marti Lyons
*Urinetown, Director Jason Fleiss
Rogue Opera Company, Ashland, OR
*LaTraviata, Director Noel Koran
St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago, IL
*Lady Windermere’s Fan, Director Kevin Bellie
*Camelot, Director Kevin Bellie
Circle Theater, Oak Park, IL
*The Man Who Came to Dinner, Director Mary Redmon
*A Little Night Music, Director Bob Knuth
*The Women, Director Jim Schneider
SBIZ, Chicago, IL
Assistant to the event Scenic Designer Alan Donahue
2010
Lifeline Theatre, Chicago (Artistic Ensemble Member)
*Neverwhere, Director Paul Holmquist *Jeff Nomination for Costume Design
Circle Theatre, Oak Park, IL
*Philadelphia Story, Director Jim Schneider
*The Analytical Engine, Director Bob Knuth
University of Chicago, Chicago
*Big Love, Director Sean Graney
Oakton Community College, DesPlaines, IL
*The Tempest, Director Kathleen Carot
Fiddler on the Roof, Director John Frisco
*A Flea in Her Ear, Director John Frisco
SavoyAires Players, Evanston Illinois
*The Gondoliers, Director Jim Schneider
St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago, IL
*Thoroughly Modern Millie, Director Kevin Bellie
2009
Circle Theatre, Oak Park, IL
*Tommy, Director Jeffery Cass
Northeastern Illinois University Stage Center Theatre, Chicago
*Midsummer Night's Dream, Director Anna Antaramian
Dominican University, Forest Park, IL
*Into the Woods, Director Krista Hansen
St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago, IL
*The Rose and the Rime, Director Kevin Bellie
2008
Northwestern University Opera Department, Evanston, IL
*Midsummer Night's Dream, Director Noel Koran
Northeastern Illinois University Stage Center Theatre, Chicago
*The Illusion, Director Anna Antaramian
Lettuce and Lovage, Director Anna Antaramian
Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, Chicago
*The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Director Steve Zak
SPEAK Productions, New York, NY
*Were the World Mine, a major motion picture. Released in 2009.
Circle Theatre, Oak Park, IL
*An Ideal Husband, Director Jim Schneider *Jeff Award for Costume Design
2007
Mercury Theatre, Chicago
*The Buddy Holly Story, Director Janet Laour
Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
*The Odd Couple, Director Gregg Kolak
Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, Chicago
*My Favorite Year, Director Steve Zak
Northwestern University Opera Department, Evanston, IL
*Bartered Bride, Director Noel Koran
*Dialogue of the Carmelites, Director Fabrizio Melano
Roosevelt University Theatre Conservatory, Chicago
*The Floating World, Director Jane Lapolitair
*What Women Want, Director Ray Frewen
*Starting Here, Director Ray Frewen
*Ravens, Director Joel Fink
Circle Theatre, Oak Park, IL
*Design for Living, Director Jim Schneider *Chicago After Dark Award for Costume Design
Porchlight Music Theatre, Chicago, IL
It’s a Wonderful Life, Director Walter Sterns
2006
Theatre Building, Chicago
*Josephine Tonight, Director Steve Scott
Light Opera Works, Evanston, IL
*South Pacific, Director Rudy Hoggenmiller
*110 Degrees in the Shade, Director Rudy Hoggenmiller
*The Mikado, Director Rudy Hoggenmiller
Northwestern University Opera Department, Evanston, IL
*Eugene Onegin, Director Noel Koran
*Cosi Fan Tutte, Director Noel Koran
*La Cecchina, Director Noel Koran
Northeastern Illinois University Stage Center Theatre, Chicago
*Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Director Bill MacIntosh
*The Three Cuckolds, Director Rodney Higginbotham
*Lucky Stiff, Director Rodney Higginbotham
Baliwick Repertory Theatre, Chicago, IL
*Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Director Susan Finque
Circle Theatre, Forest Park, IL
*Dear World, Director Robert Knuth
Appletree Theatre, Highland Park, IL
*The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Director Kurt Johns
*Mountain, Director Mark Lococo
DePaul University School of Theatre, Chicago
*The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Director Trudie Kessler
Prop Theatre, Chicago
*Embedded, Director Gregg Kolak
Northpark University, Chicago
*The Medium and Gianni Schicci, Director Michael LaTour
Lifeline Theatre, Chicago (Artistic Ensemble Member)
*A Room With A View, Director Dorothy Milne
*The Velveteen Rabbit, Director Jennifer Tyler
Opera Moda, Chicago
*A Month in the Country, Director Michael LaTour
2005
Lifeline Theatre, Chicago (Artistic Ensemble Member)
*Queen Lucia, Director Francis Limoncelli *Jeff Award for Costume Design
*Talisman Ring, Director Dorothy Milne
Northwestern University Opera Department, Evanston, IL
*Gianni Schicci, Director Noel Koran
*Sour Angelica, Director Rachel Gates
*Die Zauberfloete (The Magic Flute), Director Noel Koran
*The Threepenny Opera, Director Noel Koran
Loyola Theatre Department Mainstage, Chicago
*Sweeney Todd, Director Sarah Gabel
Northeastern Illinois University Stage Center Theatre, Chicago
*The Love of Don Perlimplín, Director Ellen Willet
Simply Maria or The American Dream by Josefina López, Director Ellen Willet
Boy Gets Girl, Director Rodney Higginbotham
Theatre at the Center, Munster IN
*The Thing About Men, Director Bill Pulinsi
*Jolson and Company, Director David Perkovich
Light Opera Works, Evanston, IL
*Carnival, Director Michael Ehrman
*Darling of the Day, Director Erik Haagensen
*The Sound of Music, Director Rudy Hogenmiller
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Victory Gardens Theatre, Chicago
*Humble Boy, Director James Bohnen
One Theatre Company at the Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago
*City of Angels, Director Kevin Wall
Chicago Chamber Opera, Chicago, IL
*The Medium, Director Barbara Landis
*The Telephone, Director Michael Kotze
Circle Theatre, Forest Park, IL
*Design for Living, Director Jim Schneider *Jeff Nomination for Costume Design
Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL
*Tartuffe, Director Steven Gray
Opera Moda, Chicago
*Little Women, Director Michael LaTour
2004
2004 Recipient of the Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award
Reverie Theatre Company, The Viaduct Theatre, Chicago
*All’s Well That Ends Well, Director Chris Pomeroy
Griffin Theatre Company, Chicago *Jeff Nomination for Costume Design
*Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging, Director Rick Barletta
Chicago Jewish Theatre Company, Chicago
*The Golem, Director David Zak
Loyola Theatre Department Mainstage, Chicago
*A Crescent City Comedy of Errors, Adaptor/Director Jack Trahey
*The McElroy Memorial Shakespeare Celebration, King Lear, Director Steven Scott
The Lifeline Theater, Chicago *Artistic Ensemble Member
*Deep in the Jungle, Director Shole Milos
*Strong Poison, Director Dorothy Milne
*Bunnicula, Director Peter Greenburg
*Snowflake Tim’s Big Holiday Adventure, Director Dorothy Milne
Light Opera Works, Kahn Auditorium and MGaw Center, Evanston, IL
*Sweethearts, Director Rudy Hoggenmiller
*No Way to Treat a Lady, Director Bill Pullinsi
*HMS Pinafore, Director Rudy Hoggenmiller
Northeastern Illinois University Stage Center Theatre, Chicago
*The Real Inspector Hound, Director Rodney Higginbotham
The Way of All Fish, Director Rodney Higginbotham
Northwestern University Opera Department, Evanston, IL
*Die Kluge (The Wise Woman), Director Michael La Tour
*Riders to the Sea, Director Noel Koran
*Falstaff, Co-Designer Laura Dana, Director Noel Koran
The Theatre Building, Chicago and New York Fringe Festival, New York
*Africa & Plumbridge; a New Musical, Director Jim Brochu
The Theatre Building, Chicago
*The Return of Herbert Bracewell, Director Bill Pulinsi
2003
Light Opera Works, Evanston, IL
*Die Fledermaus, Directors Lara Teeter and Mike Kotze
Townsquare Players, Raue Center for the Arts, Crystal Lake, IL
*The Sound of Music, Director Jeanna Hills
Northeastern Illinois University Stage Center Theatre, Chicago
Little Murders, Director Dan Wirth
*Lend Me a Tenor, Director Tony Muscarello
The Lifeline Theater, Chicago (Artistic Ensemble Member)
*Click Clack Moo, Director: Shole Milos, (re-mounted: Lakeshore Center and Metropolis)
*Far from the Madding Crowd, Director: Dorothy Milne
Opera Theatre Highland Park, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
*The Barber of Seville, Music Director: Francesco Milioto, Director:Michael Kotze
*The Marriage of Figaro, Music Director: Francesco Milioto, Director: Jay Paul Skelton
Reverie Theatre Company, Stage Left Theatre, Chicago
*The Cherry Orchard, Director: Chris Pomeroy, Adaptor: Curt Columbus
2002
The Lifeline Theater, Chicago (Artistic Ensemble Member)
*The Rescuers, Director: Dorothy Milne
*Around the World in 80 Days, Director: Dorothy Milne *Jeff Nomination for Costume Design
Opera Theatre Highland Park, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
*La Traviata, Music Director: Francesco Milioto, Director: Marla Forbes
The Metropolis, Co-Proction with Lifeline Theatre, Arlington Heights
*Emperor's Groovy New Clothes: remount, Director: Elise Kauzlaric
2001
Bailiwick Repertory Theater, Chicago
*Sappho in Love, Director: Shifra Wersch
*Oedipus Rex (Deaf Bailiwick Artists), Director: Ronald Jiu
Lifeline Theater, Chicago *Artistic Ensemble Member
*Hen Lake, Director: Shole Milos
*Emperor's Groovy New Clothes, Director: Elise Kauzlaric
*The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Director: Ned Mochel
L' Opera Piccola, Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago
*Lucia del' Lammermoor, Director: Shifra Wersch
2000
Bailiwick Repertory Theater, Chicago
*Patience and Sarah: the Opera, Director: Shifra Wersch
Party!, Director Kevin Hill
*The Christmas Schooner, Director: David Zak
Lifeline Theater, Chicago *Artistic Ensemble Member
*The Silver Chair, Director: Kevin Theis
1997-2000 Pennsylvania State University, MFA Costume Design and Technology
*Bad Girls, *Three Penny Opera, *Halcyon Days, *Tales of the Lost Formicans, *Skin of Our Teeth
1993-1997 Washington University in St. Louis, BA/BFA Fine Arts/Theater
*Rumors, *The Importance of Being Earnest, *The Double Inconstancy
2008-2008
Drury Lane, Oak Brook Terrace, IL
Mame, The Boys from Syracuse, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Sweet Charity, Meet Me in St. Louis, Designer: Tatiana Radsidjik
1996-1999, 2002
Göttinger Handel Opera Festival, Germany
Designer: Bonnie Kruger
Richardo Primo, Xerxes, Tolomeo, Arianna, Alcinia (director: Drew Minter)
*Including Stanford University's Dido and Aeneus, and Agrippina for the Mannes School, NY
1997-2000 Pennsylvania State University, Graduate Assistant & Draper/Tailor
Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Three Sisters, A Soldier's Play, Into the Woods, Good News!
1993-1997 Washington University in St. Louis, Costume Shop Assistant & Draper
Romeo & Juliet, Cabaret, The Illusion, Marat Sade, The Beggars Opera
2011 to 2015, Chicago Custom Costumes, Inc (Founder, Owner, and Head Draper)
Select Client List:
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Chicago Opera Theater
Lookingglass Theater
Chicago Children’s Theater
Momentum Worldwide
Hendrick’s Gin
American Greenwood
Miss Black Illinois, 2012
Washington University in St. Louis
Savant
Juaritos
Haymarket Opera
Susan and Dee Snyder of Twisted Sister
Roosevelt University Opera
Kansas State Lottery
Randomhouse Publishing
Northwestern University Opera
DePaul University Opera
Blair Thomas & Company (co-founder of Redmoon Theatre, Chicago)
2005 and 2008 Broadway Costumes, Chicago, IL
Aida and Hairspray for rental, Designer: Robert Schramm
2000
American Players Theatre, Spring Green, WI
May-July, As You Like It, Designer Judith Lundberg
1996-1999, 2002
Göttinger Handel Opera Festival, Göttingen, Germany. Designer: Bonnie Kruger
Richardo Primo, Xerxes, Tolomeo, Arianna, Alcinia
Dido & Aeneus, Stanford University, CA
Agrippina, Mannes School, NY
1995
Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, NM
Modern Painters, Salome, Countess Maritza, Le Nozze di Figaro
1994-1997
Washington University in St. Louis.
Paid Shop Assistant: Draping, Pattern-making, Stitching, Wardrobe, Shopping, Research. 6 Shows/year.
1994
Hershey Amusement Park, Hershey, PA
May-August, oversee completion of costume construction, and maintenance for 6 variety shows, (500+ costumes), supervise wardrobe staff
2020-2023
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Assistant Professor of Theatre, Costume
2019-2020
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA
Faculty Costume Director. Temporary One-Year Position.
2015-2019
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
Teacher, Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager
2016-Present
KCACTF Region 2, Respondent and Presenter
Lecture (Career) and Workshops (Upcycling, Armor-making, Sculpture, Mask-making, Industrial Machine use and care)
2017
USITT in St. Louis, MO
Sponsored Exhibit of costumes designed by Bonnie Kruger, Pattern manipulation demonstration, Early Career Panelist, Constructed a garment designed by Bonnie Kruger from scratch during the conference.
Professional Bio:
Elizabeth Wislar is a Multi-Award-Winning Costume Professional, a Large-Scale Textile and Integrated Technology Artist, a Wage Equity Warrior, Instructor, and enrolled member of the Northern Cherokee Nation, Chickamauga.
Elizabeth spent close to twenty years as a freelance theatre artisan, with 15 of those years based in Chicago, IL. She has designed over 250 shows and built more than 150 productions in the Chicago area and nationally in collaboration with many of the prevailing theaters, opera companies and local universities. Elizabeth graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, and earned an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from Pennsylvania State University. She spent 5 years (1996-1999, 2002) as the Assistant Designer/Head Draper for the annual Baroque Handel Opera Festival in Göttingen, Germany. Elizabeth is the 2004 recipient of the Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award, as well as multiple other awards and nominations.
In 2011, she founded Chicago Custom Costumes, a private build shop located in the historic Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago.
Founded in 2011 by Elizabeth Wislar, Chicago Custom Costumes, Inc was a private build shop that served the theatre, film, dance, character, and industrial industries both locally and internationally, specializing in ingenuity, attention to quality and detail, and large scale problem-solving. The shop served many notable clients over the years and continued to flourish and grow for a few years under the leadership of its new owner, Victoria Carot. (Closed 2019)
In 2015, Elizabeth sold her business to begin her career in academia. She aspires to train and develop new artistic collaborators and technicians, preparing them for a multitude of diverse opportunities. Elizabeth joined the James Madison University School of Theatre and Dance community in the Fall of 2020.
Elizabeth is quick to establish strong ties in the community and works ardently for the mission of the department and college, while fostering early career contacts.