Dee Graham
Costume Design & Technology
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Talented, experienced, dependable, and determined costume designer, shop manager, and faculty instructor. Collaborative production team member. Clear understanding of the urgency and excellence expected in the designing and producing of theatrical performances. Ultimate problem solver. Patient and kind instructor knowledgeable in all costume construction techniques.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Resident Costume Designer / Shop Manager
The Kinkaid School
Houston, TX
01.2013 - Current
- Design and produce 6 large & 7 small productions with casts from 20-100 annually.
- Manage professional drapers, stitchers, wigs and crafts artists, students, and volunteers.
- Manage budgets, supplies, equipment, and storage
Faculty Instructor Fashion Design- Part Time
The Art Institute of Houston
Houston, TX
06.2011 - 12.2013
- Taught beginning, intermediate, and advanced sewing, draping, flat patterning, and intro to fashion design
- Mentored students in competitions and senior fashion collections.
Freelance Costume Design & Construction
Dee Graham Productions
Houston, TX
01.2009 - Current
- Patterned, cut, sewed, fit, and finished costumes for Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, The Kinkaid School, and private clients.
Costume Shop Supervisor
The Houston Ballet
Houston , TX
06.2006 - 12.2013
- Assigned and managed the daily tasks for 3 or more teams of drapers, first hands, stitcher, wigs, and crafts artists.
- Managed new construction productions by collaborating with designers and technicians to create new ballets.
- Managed budgets, supplies, equipment, payroll, and storage.
Draper
Houston Grand Opera
Houston, TX
06.2007 - 01.2009
- Patterned, cut, sewed, fit, and finished costumes for professional Opera singers.
- Led a team of first hands and stitchers.
- Collaborated with designers and managers to create costumes from renderings.
Stitcher
Santa Fe Opera
Santa Fe, NM
06.2004 - 08.2004
- Stitched costumes under the direction of a draper for professional opera singers.
- Worked long hours with focus and dedication to meet tight deadlines.
- Assisted with fittings.
Staff Sergeant Satellite Communications
United States Air National Guard
Beaumont, TX
04.2001 - 04.2007
- Installed, operated, and maintained satellite communication equipment.
Assistant Costume Designer and Wardrobe Manager
Johnny Appleseed Outdoor Drama
Mansfield , OH
06.2004 - 09.2004
- Purchased equipment and supplies for a temporary costume shop.
- Fit all costumes and completed alterations.
- Organized the load in and wardrobe run of the show.
- Supervised crew of stitchers and dressers.
Stitcher
The Strand Theatre
Galveston, TX
06.2003 - 08.2003
- Stitched costumes under the direction of the designer for Galveston! The Musical.
- Ran wardrobe and wig maintenance.
Education
BA - Theatre
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX 01.2000 - 05.2003
MFA - Costume Design & Technology
Ohio University
Athens, OH 09.2004 - 05.2007
Skills
Sewing
Draping
Flat Patterning
Dancewear
Tailoring
Teaching
Knits
Millinery
Stage Makeup
Crafts
Budgeting
Inventory
Shop Management
Microsoft Office Suite
G-Suite
Adobe Programs
Costume Design
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Social Media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dee-graham-a7665b175/
https://www.instagram.com/deegrahamdesigns/
Timeline
Resident Costume Designer / Shop Manager
The Kinkaid School
01.2013 - Current
Faculty Instructor Fashion Design- Part Time
The Art Institute of Houston
06.2011 - 12.2013
Freelance Costume Design & Construction
Dee Graham Productions
01.2009 - Current
Draper
Houston Grand Opera
06.2007 - 01.2009
Costume Shop Supervisor
The Houston Ballet
06.2006 - 12.2013
MFA - Costume Design & Technology
Ohio University
09.2004 - 05.2007
Stitcher
Santa Fe Opera
06.2004 - 08.2004
Assistant Costume Designer and Wardrobe Manager
Johnny Appleseed Outdoor Drama
06.2004 - 09.2004
Stitcher
The Strand Theatre
06.2003 - 08.2003
Staff Sergeant Satellite Communications
United States Air National Guard
04.2001 - 04.2007
BA - Theatre
Lamar University
01.2000 - 05.2003