Jen Gillette

Jen Gillette is a costume designer and educator who works nationally in theatre and opera. As director of costume design in the School of Design and Production, she brings professional experience across musicals, contemporary and classical plays and opera to her teaching. Her approach combines traditional theatrical design practices with digital tools, helping students develop the technical and artistic skills needed to bring their creative ideas to the stage.

Gillette has designed for professional companies across the country and is the author of “Digital Painting and Rendering for Theatrical Design” (Routledge, 2024), which approaches digital rendering as an artistic medium rather than simply a software skill.

Career Highlights

• Costume designer for Utah Shakespeare Festival, Asolo Repertory Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Manhattan School of Music, Hattiloo Theatre, Taffety Punk, Washington Ballet and others
• Costume design associate and assistant for Atlanta Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival, Holy City Arts and Lyric Opera Charleston, Synetic Theatre and others

Honors, Awards & Recognitions

• First Year Assistant Professor Grant, Florida State University (2024)
• First place, Opera America Opera Production Competition for “The Cunning Little Vixen” (2023–23)
• Kenan Fellowship for Design, The Kennedy Center (2017)
• Young Designers and Technicians Forum, USITT (2016)

Organizations

• United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829
• Dramatists Guild
• Association for Theatre in Higher Education
• Latinx Theatre Commons