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.

​

​

​

​