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
Interim Costume Shop Supervisor: Stepped in as Supervisor during the Wirtz Center Summer programming and pre-production for Fall programming.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
August 2021-September 2021
Interim Costume Shop Manager: Stepped in as Manager during rehearsals for the first shows of the season.
Baltimore Center Stage
Baltimore, MD
September 2016-June 2020
Associate Costumer. Assisted the Costume Shop Manager.
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.
Bay View Music Festival
Bay View, MI
May 2015-August 2015
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.
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
2013
Kenyon College Dance & Dramatic Club
The Thomas Turgeon Memorial Award for Best Costume Design
Education
Northwestern University
anticipated completion June 2024
MFA in Stage Design candidate
Kenyon College
2010 - 2014
BA in Psychology, Drama