Jessican Van Essen
Costume Shop SupervisorJessica Van Essen received her BA in Theatre from the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Fall, IA) and her MFA in Costume Design from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI). While at UNI, Jessica designer and assistant designed for shows including A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, Cloud Nine and The Shape of Things. During her time at UNI, Jessica also worked for the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, Trollwood Performing Arts Center, and Leas-McRay Theatre for their summer seasons as technical staff. While at WSU, she designed costumes for A Christmas Carol, Pippin, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Full Monty, Much Ado About Nothing, and Major Barbara. Additionally, she managed the undergraduate costume shop from 2009-2011. Following her MFA, Jessica worked as a First Hand and Wardrobe manager for the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre for the 2012 season. Jessica specializes in 19th century design, tailoring and non-traditional construction and fabrication.
