Ben Argenta Kress Ben Kress Costume Design
COSTUME DESIGNER / VISUAL ARTIST
Work experience
Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts
Evanston, IL
June 2022-August 2022
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Interim Costume Shop Supervisor: Stepped in as Supervisor during the Wirtz Center Summer programming and pre-production for Fall programming.
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The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
August 2021-September 2021
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Interim Costume Shop Manager: Stepped in as Manager during rehearsals for the first shows of the season.
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Baltimore Center Stage
Baltimore, MD
September 2016-June 2020
Associate Costumer. Assisted the Costume Shop Manager.
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Baltimore Center Stage
Baltimore, MD
August 2014-September 2016
Costume Shop Intern / Fellow. Assisted the Costume Shop Manager and aided the construction team.
Cecil College
Elkton, MD
July 2019-September 2019
Instructor. Served as an Instructor for youth classes in Costume Design and Construction for Cecil College Young People's Theater Program as well as Adult Saturday Intensive courses.
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Bay View Music Festival
Bay View, MI
May 2015-August 2015
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Costume Shop Manager / Resident Designer. Oversaw the design and construction of the mainstage show and opera as well as other season events and shows.
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH
August 2013-May 2014
Costume Shop Assistant. Worked as a costume shop hand under the costume shop manager for mainstage productions.
Kenyon Playwrights Conference
Gambier, OH
July 2013, 2014
Conference Intern. Read plays and served as a classroom aid for the week-long conference.
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Skills
Costume Construction; Costume Alterations; Costume Distressing; Costume Fittings; Watercolor and Acrylic Painting; Woodworking; Research; Photoshop; Microsoft Office; Budgeting and Expense Reports; Costume and wardrobe paperwork; DSLR Photography; Fabric Shopping; Flatlining; Dyeing; Ruff and Jabot Construction; Makeup Design; Costume Maintenance; Conscious and ethical sourcing and practices; Valid drivers license
Awards
2014
Kenyon College Dance & Dramatic Club
The Thomas Turgeon Memorial Award for Best Costume Design
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2013
Kenyon College Dance & Dramatic Club
The Thomas Turgeon Memorial Award for Best Costume Design
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Education
Northwestern University
2020 - 2024
MFA in Stage Design
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Kenyon College
2010 - 2014
BA in Psychology, Drama