Nan Cibula-Jenkins
Head of Costume Design
Tell us about your current projects and career.
Currently, I am designing costumes for Edward Albee's
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf for Broadway, marking the 50th anniversary of the play's original production. Throughout my career, I've designed costumes for theatre, film, television, opera and dance - at Arena Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Repertory Theatre, McCarter Theatre, Kansas City Rep, Alliance Theatre, Hartford Stage, Dallas Theatre Center, the Alley, American Repertory Theatre, and the Public Theatre-among many others. Here in Chicago, I have designed repeatedly at Steppenwolf Theatre, the Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. I also designed the original Broadway productions of David Mamet's
Glengarry Glen Ross and
Speed the Plow.
How do your professional experiences (designing for feature films, Broadway, and regional theatres) impact your classes and teaching at DePaul?
I bring professional experiences to my students and can provide them with real life solutions to design issues. Whenever possible, I bring students to the theatre to see my work so we can discuss the productions critically. I also develop contacts within the industry to help my students during their internships and after graduation.
What inspires you about working with Theatre School students?
Every day that I teach, I wake up with a smile in my heart. My students have gone through a very selective process to be here at The Theatre School and are dedicated to their art. Teaching them is both a challenge and a joy!
What advice would you give to students entering the profession of Costume Design?
You need to have a curious and creative imagination, a desire to work and play well with others. Theatre design is not a solitary art form but a collaborative and critical process.
In your opinion, what makes Chicago the ideal training ground for the theatrical arts?
Chicago is one of the most vibrant cities for theatre! Almost every night one can see outstanding theatre, whether in Tony-award winning theatres like Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare and Victory Gardens, or in a variety of venues that include everything from classical plays to experimental performance art. This is wonderful environment to study theatre. Our faculty and staff are actively engaged in the Chicago theatre scene, so our students receive professional training from experienced and active theatre artists.
Awards & Distinctions:
Hollywood Dramalogue Award
(Glengarry Glenn Ross) / Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Costume Design
(Much Ado About Nothing) / Recipient of the Michael Meritt Award for Design and Collaboration / St. Vincent DePaul Professor
Member of the DePaul Faculty Since:
1986
Degree/Education:
MFA, Yale University