Genevieve Levin
Palatine,IL
Summary
Resourceful costumer with extensive experience, adept with classical and fantastical garment styles as well as modern. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with design teams, ensuring polished productions. Skilled in costume construction and maintenance, reliably delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines. Recognized for creative problem-solving and for consistently contributing to a respectful and pleasant work atmosphere.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Cosplay Costumer
Self Employed
01.2003 - Current
- Adapted and constructed costumes based on existing characters from anime, television, and film.
- Selected fabrics and embellishments to suit the character.
- Managed my own construction schedule and deadlines.
- Coordinated with others for cohesive group cosplays.
- Integrated practical solutions for comfortable all-day wear.
Costumer
VC Gilbert & Sullivan Repertory Theatre
Thousand Oaks, California
2018 - 2020
- Created a costume plot for light opera The Grand Duke, with several roles double-cast.
- Coordinated reliably with the director and design team.
- Selected and altered costumes from stock and from a rental location.
- Fitted all performers.
- Ensured a cohesive and polished look before opening.
- Cleaned and maintained all costumes throughout the run. Dropped off and picked up dry-cleaned costumes after closing, and returned to stock and rental facility.
- Assisted the lead costumer with fittings, alterations, and maintenance on several other productions.
Costumer
Camarillo Skyway Playhouse
Camarillo, CA
2018 - 2019
- Created a costume plot for Peter & the Starcatcher.
- Coordinated reliably with the director and design team.
- Selected and altered costumes from stock.
- Designed and built costumes from unusual materials for an imaginative, 'storybook' atmosphere.
- Fitted all performers.
- Ensured a cohesive and polished look before opening.
- Cleaned and maintained all costumes throughout the run.
- Assisted the lead costumer with fittings and alterations on several other productions.
Costumer
Actors Repertory Theatre
Simi Valley, California
12.2011 - 12.2018
- Costumed several productions, including The Addams Family Musical, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Seussical Jr.
- Created a costume plot for each show.
- Coordinated reliably with the director and design team.
- Designed and built costumes as needed.
- Selected and altered costumes from stock.
- Fitted all performers.
- Ensured a cohesive and polished look before opening.
- Cleaned and maintained all costumes throughout the run. Dropped off and picked up dry-cleaned costumes after closing.
- Organized and maintained the company's costume storage space.
- Assisted the lead costumer with fittings, alterations, and maintenance on several other productions.
- Constructed specific unusual pieces for other productions when requested, i.e. wings and an inflating raft for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and vine costumes for Little Shop of Horrors.
- Aided in the hand-sewing construction of puppets for Avenue Q.
Costumer
Lit Live
Thousand Oaks, California
2017 - 2017
- Costumed productions of A Klingon Christmas Carol and And Lightning Struck.
- Created a costume plot for each show.
- Coordinated reliably with the director and design team.
- Sourced fabric and materials.
- Designed and built costumes as needed.
- Assembled authentic and suitable costumes from secondhand finds.
- Fitted all performers.
- Ensured a cohesive and polished look before opening.
- Cleaned and maintained all costumes throughout the run. Dropped off and picked up dry-cleaned costumes after closing.
Costumer
Literature in Action
Simi Valley, California
2017 - 2017
- Costumed a production of The Diary of Anne Frank.
- Coordinated reliably with the director and design team.
- Selected and altered costumes from stock and secondhand finds.
- Fitted all performers.
- Ensured a cohesive and polished look before opening.
- Cleaned and maintained all costumes throughout the run. Cleaned all costumes after closing and returned to stock.
Quilting Demonstration
Tumbleweed Festival
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Demonstrated hand quilting techniques on a large loom.
- Guided guests of all ages in stitching.
On-Site Costume Rental Manager
Nottingham Renaissance Festival
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Planned an on-site costume rental service for guests.
- Selected and prepared costume pieces appropriate for rental.
- Consulted on prices.
- Organized the tent layout for easy navigation and private dressing space.
- Assisted guests with selection and fitting.
- Kept track of all rentals and returns.
- Performed small repairs and alterations throughout the day.
- Delivered used items for cleaning and collected them afterward.
Contestant
Call to Cosplay
01.2015 - 2015
- Constructed a costume of my choice from scratch, using provided materials and equipment.
- Styled a character wig.
- Managed time to complete costume and props within the very short timeline provided by the show.
- Answered questions on camera about the construction process.
- Modeled the costume for the judges.
Stitcher & Fitter
All Dressed Up Costumes
Batavia, USA
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Pulled, measured, and altered costumes from stock for theatrical productions based on provided measurements.
- Assisted customers in the shop with selection and fitting.
- Sorted new acquisitions and returned items into stock.
- Assisted with construction of new items as needed.
Costumer
Lake Zurich Players
2003 - 2003
- CostumedTitanic the Musical and Chicago!
- Created a costume plot for each show.
- Coordinated reliably with the director and design team.
- Designed and built costumes as needed.
- Selected and altered costumes from a rental facility.
- Constructed period-accurate life jackets.
- Fitted all performers.
- Ensured a cohesive and polished look before opening.
- Cleaned and maintained all costumes throughout the run.
Wardrobe Crew
Goodman Theatre
Chicago, Illinois
2002 - 2002
- Aided performers in The Beard of Avon in dressing and in backstage quick changes.
- Reliably followed my assigned track to help ensure the smooth running of performances.
- Ensured that costumes were carefully handled, preset as needed, and returned to the dressing rooms.
- Aided in the repair and cleaning of costumes between performances.
- Built respectful relationships with performers and fellow crew members.
- Always behaved with respect for the facility and my coworkers.
Shop Assistant
Goodman Theatre
Chicago, Illinois
2002 - 2002
- Assisted with the construction and alteration of costumes for A Christmas Carol.
- Substituted for a wardrobe crew member for one weekend.
Education
BA - Theatre Arts, Acting & Costuming
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL06-2002
Skills
- Construction, fitting, and altering of garments
- Machine sewing
- Hand sewing
- Fabric selection
- Pattern drafting and pattern reading
- Costume maintenance and repair
- Maintenance of vintage clothing and fabrics
- Quick repairs
- Precision stitching
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem solving
- Pressing techniques
- Pleating methods
- Seam finishing
- Hemming techniques
- Buttonhole making
- Trim attachment
- Serger operation
- Adaptability to materials
- Laundry support
Training
- BA, Acting & Costuming, Illinois Wesleyan University
- Shop Assistant, McPherson Theatre Costume Shop, 1 year
Accomplishments
- Four Star Theatre Awards 2019 - Outstanding Costume Design - Peter and the Starcatcher
Languages
Japanese
Limited
Spanish
Limited
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Quilting Demonstration
Tumbleweed Festival
01.2015 - 01.2017
Contestant
Call to Cosplay
01.2015 - 2015
On-Site Costume Rental Manager
Nottingham Renaissance Festival
01.2013 - 01.2017
Costumer
Actors Repertory Theatre
12.2011 - 12.2018
Cosplay Costumer
Self Employed
01.2003 - Current
Stitcher & Fitter
All Dressed Up Costumes
01.2003 - 01.2004
Costumer
VC Gilbert & Sullivan Repertory Theatre
2018 - 2020
Costumer
Camarillo Skyway Playhouse
2018 - 2019
Costumer
Lit Live
2017 - 2017
Costumer
Literature in Action
2017 - 2017
Costumer
Lake Zurich Players
2003 - 2003
Wardrobe Crew
Goodman Theatre
2002 - 2002
Shop Assistant
Goodman Theatre
2002 - 2002
BA - Theatre Arts, Acting & Costuming
Illinois Wesleyan University