We recently had the chance to connect with Renee Garcia and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Renee, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
When I tell people I’m a costume designer, they often picture me sitting alone in a room, stitching every costume by hand. But that’s not really how it works. In reality, there’s usually a whole team of incredibly talented people involved—like makers, cutters, stitchers, milliners for hats, wig artists, and more. They’re the ones who physically build the costumes and accessories based on the designs. My job is to come up with the overall look, choose fabrics, collaborate with the director and other departments, and make sure everything fits the story and characters. It’s a big, creative team effort behind the scenes.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Renee Garcia, a costume designer and member of USA Local 829. Over the years, I’ve designed costumes for more than forty productions across theatre, dance, and film. I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing companies including The Repertory Theatre of Saint Louis, Metro Theater Company, Lake Dillon Theatre Company, The Riverside Theater Shakespeare Festival, The Unicorn Theatre, The Coterie Theatre, portOPERA, and on the indie film Burning Man.
One of my favorite projects, “As You Like It”, was featured in the USITT-USA National Exhibit at the 2015 Prague Quadrennial, and later shown in Mexico City at the international exhibit Scenic Costume Design in 2022. My designs for The Prom were recently part of the Bucharest Scenography Biennale in 2024.
I’ve been lucky to receive a few honors along the way, including the USITT Fellows Early Career Member Mentoring Assistance Award, and two USITT Ezekiel awards—one for Outstanding Achievement and one Board Choice Award.
Right now, I’m an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad taught me the value of hard work and perseverance and probably passed on his stubbornness too. When I set my mind to something, I believe that with enough effort, I can make it happen.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve given up several times—stepping away from both costume design and academia when things felt overwhelming or uncertain. There were moments when I genuinely questioned if I was on the right path. But no matter how far I strayed, I always found myself drawn back. My love for theatre, storytelling, and the creative process kept pulling me in. Each time I returned, I came back with new perspective, renewed energy, and a deeper commitment to growing as a designer and educator. It hasn’t always been a straight path, but it’s one that’s been full of learning, resilience, and rediscovery.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I draw a lot of inspiration from historical clothing and the work of past fashion designers—the structure, detail, and craftsmanship of earlier eras really spark my imagination. I’m also deeply influenced by fine art, from classical painting to contemporary visual art, which often helps me think about color, texture, and mood in new ways. And of course, modern fashion plays a big role too—runway collections, street style, and emerging designers constantly push boundaries and offer fresh perspectives that I love bringing into my own work.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I think I’m more excited about my career now than I’ve ever been before. In the past two years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to costume design two productions at The Repertory Theatre of Saint Louis—an experience that’s been both creatively fulfilling and professionally rewarding. Most recently, I worked on The Cottage, a sharp, fast-paced comedy that just closed a few weeks ago. It was such a joy to design, and the production was a huge success! Seeing the audience respond so positively, and knowing the costumes played a part in shaping that world, was incredibly gratifying. For the first time in a long time, I truly feel like the years of hard work, persistence, and growth have paid off. I’m proud of the work I did and energized for what’s next.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reneecgarcia.com
- Instagram: reneegarciadesigns
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-garcia-b20b4b128/
