Marina Pareja
Educator Costume Designer Director
Marina C. Pareja
Assistant Professor of Costume Design
305/348-2749
EDUCATION
Master in Fine Arts Theatre Production, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, Scotland 2004
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theater Costume Design Emphasis Florida International University 1998
Master Classes in costume crafts at Bournemouth College, England 1996
Associate in Science, Fashion Marketing Management Miami-Dade Community College 1994 Associate in Arts, Fashion Design Miami-Dade Community College 1993
CURRENT POSITION
Assistant Professor of Costume Design
ASST. PROFESSOR
FULL-TIME ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Florida International University
Assistant Professor Costume Design 2019 to present.
Senior Lecturer 2017- 2019
Lecturer, Resident Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager-Costumer 2010 -2017
Associate Artistic Director/
Production Manager/Director Alternative Theatre Festival 2006 - 2014
Guest Costume Designer 2004 - 2011
Costume Shop Manager-Costumer 1999 - 2002
Queen Margaret University College, Scotland
Wardrobe Production Course Leader 2002 - 2003
PROFESSIONAL COSTUME DESIGN
City Theatre Art Dir. Margaret Ledford 2023
Summer Shorts Home Grown
Zoetic Stage
Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Dir. Stuart Meltzer 2023
Next To Normal
American Rapsody
Mlima’s tale
Zoetic Stage
Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Dir. Stuart Meltzer 2022
Side by Side
Our Dear Dead Drug lord
Gringolandia
Zoetic Stage 2022
Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Frankenstein Dir. Stuart Meltzer 2021
Miami New Drama
7 Deadly Sins. Dir. Michel Hausmann 2020
Zoetic Stage
Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
The Wolves Dir. Stuart Meltzer 2020
American Son
Zoetic Stage 2020
Arsht Center for the Performing Dir. Stuart Meltzer
The Curious Incident of the Dog at Nighttime 2019
Sweeney Todd
Zoetic Stage Dir. Stuart Meltzer 2018
Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Dracula by Michael Mckeever
Orchestra Miami, Miami, FL Dir. Elaine Rinaldi 2018
The Magic Flute
Juggernaut Theatre Productions Dir. Victoria Collado 2018
Amparo
Juggernaut Theatre Productions Dir. Tamilla Woodard 2017
Miami Motel Stories
Main Street Players, Miami Lakes FL Dir. Marina Pareja 2016
Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl
Orchestra Miami, Miami, FL Dir. Elaine Rinaldi 2015
Noye's Fludde
What if Works, Miami, FL Dir. Philip Church
The Cherry Orchard 2015
One Flew […] 2014
Jonathan Edwards College Theatre, New Haven, CT
El Monte Calvo Dir Barbara Safille 2013
Theater and Poetry Workshop, Yale University New Haven, CT
La Hija Del Capitán Dir Barbara Safille 2012
Guzman Center, Miami FL
Carlie Simon’s Romulus Dir. Philip Church 2008
Arts and Minds PAC, Coconut Grove, FL
Las Galas del Difunto Dir Barbara Safille 2005
New Theatre – Coral Gables, Florida
Saint Joan Dir. Patrick Flick 2007
Far East Dir. Rafael de Acha 2000
House of Seven Gables Dir. Rafael de Acha 2000
One Flea Spare Dir. Rafael de Acha 1999
Miss Julie & the Stronger Dir. Rafael de Acha 1999
Mount Holyoake College, Mount Holyoake, MA 1997
Summer Stock, First Hand
CREATIVE ACTIVITY, RESEARCH & SCHOLARSHIP
Papers & Presentations at Conferences
Pareja, M. C. (2023). Presenter, American Costume Society Western region "The Allure And Mystery Of The Tapada Limeña: Women's Attire As Social And Political Power. "
Article
Pareja, M. C. (2023). Submitted Theater Design and Technology. “Combining Old and New: Making Commedia dell’arte Masks with Positive Molds, Worbla, and Paper Mache.”
Pareja, M. C. (2023). In Progress Theatre Design and Technology. “Thriving in Theatrical Design with ADHD: Personal Observation.”
Pareja, M. C. (2023). Presenter, ATHE ” Interdisciplinary Panel: The Power of Collaboration: Importance of Interdisciplinary Practices in Theatre.
Pareja, M. C. (2023). Presenter, Pedagogical Panel ATHE DTM Pedagogy Roundtable Advocacy & Engagement in the Classroom
Pareja, M. C. (2021). Presenter, USITT, United States Theatre Technology, Poster Session: Costume Crafts Class Techniques, Lightweight Costume Accessories Project, Online
Pareja, M. C. (2021). Presenter, ATHE Design, Technology, and Management Virtual Gallery. ATHE. Pareja, M. C. (2021). Presenter, Digital Research in Costume Design. In Association for Theatre in Higher Education. Online. Pareja, M. C. (2021). ATHE Design, Technology, and Management Virtual Gallery. ATHE.
Pareja, M. C. (2021). Digital Research in Costume Design. In Association for Theatre in Higher Education. Online.
Pareja, M. C. (2020). ATHE Design, Management, and Technology Virtual Gallery. In ATHE: Association for Theatre in Higher Education. Virtual.
Pareja, M. C. (2020). Fabric Embellishment.” The Kennedy Center. Spartanburg SC
https://www.artsteps.com/view/5f0aea5beaae30156210ede4 Presenter “3D Paint and Puff Paint
Pareja, M. C. (2018). Presenter, Translating feeling into images: The Mood Collage, The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), Region IV, Charleston, SC, February
Pareja, M. C. (2017). Presenter, Design Expo: Costume Designs for A Flea in Her Ear (Juried)– United States Institute of Theater Technology, Salt Lake City, UT March
Pareja, M. C. (2016). Presenter, Education Commission Poster Session: Creating a Costume History reference the Book. (Juried)
Pareja, M. C. (2016). Portfolio Reviewer, Costume Design. United States Institute of Theater Technology United States Institute of Theater Technology Salt Lake City, UT March 2016
United States Institute of Theater Technology, Salt Lake City, UT. March
Pareja, M. C. (2015). Presenter, Working with half-scale forms, The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), Region IV, Albany, Georgia, February 2015
COSTUME DESIGN COSTUMER / COSTUME CONSTRUCTION
Florida International University – Miami, Florida
Clybourne Park Dir. Melvin Huffnagle 2024
Women on the Verge Dir. Olivia de Guzman 2024
The Mousetrap Dir. Justin Packard 2023
Necessary Targets Dir. Leslie Anne Timlick 2023
The Green Bird Dir. Melvin Huffnagle 2022
Fahrenheit 451 Dir. Philip Church. 2022
Lysistrata Dir. Philip Church 2021
Measure for Measure Dir. Michael Yawney 2020
Right You Are, If You Think You Are Dir. Ivan Lopez 2019
Boeing Boeing Dir. Philip Church 2019
The Children’s Hour Dir. Leslie Anne Timlick 2018
She Kills Monsters Dir. Tony Galaska 2018
UBU REX Dir. Michael Yawney 2017
Little Shop of Horror Dir. Philip Church 2017
Mid-Winter Night’s Tale Dir. Wayne Robinson 2016
Two Gentlemen of Verona Dir. Wayne Robinson 2016
A Flea in her Ear Dir. Philip Church 2015
Rumors Dir Matt Glass 2015
Six Characters in Search of an Author Dir. Wayne Robinson 2015
An Ideal Husband Dir. Philip Church 2014
Julius Caesar Dir. Philip Church 2014
Sleeping Beauty Dir. Margaret Ledford 2013
The Liar Dir. Michael Yawney 2013
Medea Dir. Marilyn Skow 2012
The last Days of Judas… Dir. Wayne Robinson 2013
In the Next Room (The Vibrator Play) Dir. Jesus Quintero 2012
Pride and Prejudice Dir. Philip Church 2011
The Blithe Spirit Dir. Michael Yawney 2010
Pericles Dir. Wayne Robinson 2009
Spring’s Awakening Dir. Philip Church 2008
The Who’s TOMMY Dir. Philip Church 2007
Silence Dir. Tracey Moore 2007
A Funny …Forum Dir. Philip Church 2006
Balm in Gilead Dir. Wayne Robinson 2006
The Crucible Dir. Therald Todd 2002
Shakespeare’s Journey Dir. Leroy Clark 2001
The Tempest Dir. Philip Church 2001
Gypsy Dir. Wayne Robinson 2000
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT)
Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)
Costume Society of America (CSA) Member of National Abstract Jury 2020-21. Research Project Section.
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS, HONORS & FELLOWSHIPS
The Carbonel Award, Award for the South Florida Carbonel Awards in Costume Design for Sweeney Todd. Zoetic Stage
The Silver Palms Awards, Costume Design for Zoetic Stage Sweeney Todd the musical 2019
KCACTF Region IV Meritorious Achievement Award, Excellence in Costume Design for "Right you are if you think you are" by Pirandello 2020
KCACTF, Region IV Excellence in Directing for La Nona, Florida International University 2017
KCACTF, Region IV Costume Design Nomination for A flea in her ear, Florida International University 2016
KCACTF, Region IV Excellence in Costume Design Award for The Ideal Husband, Florida International University 2015
KCACTF, Region IV Costume Design Nomination for The Liar, Florida International University 2013
KCACTF Region IV Excellence in Costume Design The Blithe Spirit, Florida International University 2010 College of Arts and Science Award for outstanding contribution to the Theater Department Florida International University 2010
Golden Key Honors Society Scholastic Achievement Florida International University 1996
DIRECTING EXPERIENCE
Main Street Players, Miami Lakes
Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl 2016
Florida International University Studio Theater
La Nona by Roberto Cossa (Spanish) 2017
Alternative Summer Theatre Festival 2005-2017
Retablo del Amor, la lujuria y la muerte by Ramon del Valle Inclan 2017
The Weird by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa 2016
Play On! By Rick Abbot 2014
Reverse Psychology by Charles Ludlam 2013
Die mommy die! By Charles Busch 2011
A Bicycle Country by Nilo Cruz 2010
Reefer Madness: the musical 2009
La Nona by Roberto Cossa (English Translation) 2008
Sheddunit: original adaptation by Arnold Bueso 2007
Theatre in Briefs: Four Plays by Christopher Durang
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES AND MENTORSHIP
Assistant Professor – Costume Design Faculty Primary responsibilities of this position include teaching undergraduate courses in costume design. The curriculum classes include
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Costume Design I-II,
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Stage Makeup,
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Costume Technology (Costuming and Wardrobe) Research,
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Advanced Tech Project I, II & III,
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Senior Projects,
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Costume History,
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Special Topics in Theatre (Costume Crafts),
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Portfolio I & II.
Other duties include designing, building, and supervising costumes for a minimum of two productions per year, mentoring student designers, supervising student and staff workers for costume design assignments, working closely with performance and other design/technology faculty and staff, engaging in departmental, school, university, and community collaborations, and conducting significant external scholarly/creative activity. Also, I supervise the Costume Shop and costume budget for all productions and mentor costume design students in production work for one or two shows annually.
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Costume History
The following course aims to provide a foundation upon which the student may develop a source of basic information on Costume History and Styles and the role of period and style in the production process. It includes script analysis, application of design elements and principles to the design of theatrical costumes, study, and research of fashion history, interpretation of ideas for communication with directors, actors, and production personnel, creation lessons, and evaluation of student work, i.e., journals, presentations, and three exams.
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Costume Technology (Costuming and Wardrobe)
The following course provides a foundation in costume construction, sewing skills, garment production, and alteration. The class includes Costume Shop Inventory and Organization. This class also provides a working knowledge of wardrobe duties during a theatrical production to gain the perspective and experience of running a show.
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Costume Technical Lab
Responsibilities include training and supervising undergrad-level students in the construction, alteration, repair, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of theatrical costumes, wigs, and makeup. They also include designing and overseeing costumes for at least two productions per year, mentoring student designers, and managing student and staff workers for costume design assignments.
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Costume Design I
In this course, students learn to design costumes for theatrical productions, adopt a vocabulary using the elements and principles of design, and understand and experience the process intrinsic to creating clothing for the theater. We work on meshing visual expression with ideas about the character. Students will learn to analyze a script for costume and character information, develop costume plots and breakdowns, do clothing and design research and costume sketches, and swatch them with fabric ideas.
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Stage Makeup
This course introduces you to the analytical approach of visualizing characters through research and design, makeup application techniques, and media. You will learn about the makeup design process from conception to realization through a combination of lectures and lab work. This course is intended for both actors and technicians who want to enhance their skills in makeup design.
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Special Topics in Tech Theatre: Costume Crafts
This foundational course delves into fundamental sewing methodologies, fabric theory, and expressive adornment techniques. Participants will cultivate essential skills while cultivating a deeper understanding of the creative process underlying costume design.
BFA STUDENT COSTUME DESIGN SENIOR PROJECT AND MENTORSHIP
Red Velvet student Costume Designer Amanda Pertierra, 2019
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings student Costume Designer Jedhi Weir, 2018
She Stoops to Comedy student Costume Designer Amanda Pertierra, 2018
Dancing at Lughnasa student Costume Designer Caroline Frias, 2018
And Then There Were None… student Costume Designer Denisse Cedeno 2017
La Nona, student Costume Designer Caroline Frias, 2017
Two Gentlemen of Verona, student assistant costume designer Caroline Frias, 2016
Kingdom City, student costume designer Caroline Frias, 2015
Juanita's Statue, student costume designer Lina Rodriguez, 2014
Rent, student costume designer Angie Esposito, 2010
Birds, student costume designer Patricia Almodóvar, Mar 2008
Electricidad, student costume designer Jackie Martinez, Sep 2007
House of Spirits, student costume designer Caroline Spitzer, Jul 2011
Swimming in the Shallows, student costume designer Angie Esposito, Sep 2011
Songs for a New World, student costume designer Ileana Mateo, Sep 2012
STUDENT’S AWARDS
Red Velvet student Amanda Pertierra, KCACTF, Region IV KCACTF Award for Theatrical Design Excellence: Honorable Mention Costume Design 2020
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings student Costume Designer Jedhi Weir, KCACTF, Region IV Costume Design 2019
La Nona, student Costume Designer Caroline Frias, KCACTF, Region IV Caroline Frias - SETC/David Weiss Award for Theatrical Design Excellence, 1st Place Costume Design 2018
COURSE, CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Pedagogic Innovations
TPA 2332-U01(89589) Costume Technology (Class Lecture) Additional sewing techniques and projects with different difficulty levels are added to the various technical requirements. In 2014, in response to the rediscovered interest in puppets in a theatre setting, a puppet-making project was added to the syllabus. The student response was very favorable.
TPA 3040-U01Costume Design I (Class Lecture) is revised and updated every semester, adjusting the syllabus to the student's skill levels required to take the class.
TPA 3230-U01Stage Costuming (Class Lecture) was significantly revised to focus the lectures on the research process and techniques applied to the creative process. I turned my studies into a visual course by creating 15 PowerPoints with paintings and illustrations collected over the years. I also listed the era's key events and labeled all the images addressing each period's most characteristic costume elements.
To complement the lecture, I created a workbook that included lists of the major events, key terms for each historical period, and line drawings of men and women in period costumes. The students are expected to fill out and label images in the workbook. At the same time, they follow the lecture and accrue references and resources by taking class notes and collecting information, research, photos, sketches, terms, etc.
TPA 3930 - Special Topics in Tech Theatre Costume Crafts underwent a significant revision to focus on additional crafting techniques. This class has become a favorite among students. Also, projects created in this class are a great asset to students’ portfolios since we are among the few schools in the region that teach a theatre craft class at the undergraduate level.
THEATER PRODUCTION
Alternative Theatre Summer Festival
Co-founded and coordinated the theatre festival in 2007 and served as Associate Artistic Director, Production Manager, and Director. The objective was to provide extracurricular theater activities to engage the F.I.U. Community in by offering F.I.U. Students and alums have opportunities to perform and design during the summer months. Acting, design, and technical theatre students used this great outlet to learn what working in a summer-stock theatrical company is like. A real-life experience that has inspired participants to branch out and begin starting several theatre companies, not just in South Florida but in Los Angeles, New York, England, Spain, and so on, with their versions of the “Alternative Theatre Summer Festival,” many to great acclaim. With a passion for making relevant, relatable, and gratifying live theatrical experiences, the “Alternative Summer Theatre Festival” has been alive and well since the summer of 2007. The Alternative Theatre Summer Festival is an event that operates under the umbrella of FIU’s theatre department.
AAD Responsibilities:
Creating and implementing the artistic vision of ATF to ensure that the work's development corresponds to its mission and repertoire. Fulfilling any administrative, production, or marketing tasks with ATF.
Promoting and representing ATF, its artistic vision, and its repertoire in the community; ensuring the successful recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of ATF Participants/Volunteers.
Production Manager Responsibilities:
In charge of scheduling, staffing, and budgeting all aspects of show production; overseeing, monitoring, and evaluating the design process of all shows; working with designers to creatively solve all technical and financial challenges; performing designs on time and budget; contract Designers and Design Assistants on all productions; manage, monitor, and approve all production-related expenses; supervise Production staff and oversee staff evaluations; assigning production staff in the shops and crew for shows; scheduling of all use of theaters and rehearsal studios and shops; coordinate all production, staffing and scheduling needs for special events; lead production meetings and attend all technical rehearsals and previews.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT) Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)
Costume Society of America (CSA) Member of National Abstract Jury 2020-21. Research Project Section
SERVICE
Service to Florida International University
Faculty Consultant, Green Library Display, FIU First Folio Presentation, College of Architecture + The Arts, Florida International University, Feb 2015
Faculty Volunteer, emergency repairs to Roary the Panther, FIU Mascot 2014, 2015 Costume oversight and production Frost Museum Event FIU Gala Night, Frost Museum 2011 Costume oversight and production Frost Museum Costume Display, 2008
Service to Florida International University Department of Theatre
Member, Department of Theatre Season Selection Committee 2010-2020
Diversity Advocate for 2020-21
Member, Department of Theatre Faculty Search Committee (Acting Faculty) 2020
Faculty Volunteer, Student Supervisor, and Mentor, The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, NC, 2020
Faculty Volunteer, student supervisor, and mentor, The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, KCACTF, Charleston, SC, February 2016
Faculty Volunteer, student supervisor, and mentor, The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, KCACTF, Albany, GA, February 2015
Member, Department of Theatre Faculty Search Committee (Scene Design) 2015-2016
Faculty volunteer, recruitment, Southeastern Theater Conference, SETC Chattanooga, Tennessee March 2014 Member, Department of Theatre Faculty Search Committee (Technical Director) 2012-2014
Member, Department of Theatre Disciplinary Committee 2014
Member, Department of Theatre Faculty Search Committee (Voice and Movement faculty) 2011
Co-founded and coordinated a theatre festival in the summer Alternative Theater Summer Festival, ATF 2006. Participated in all faculty/staff meetings
Supervised Costume Shop for all productions
We utilized students as assistants in all of the departmental designs. Monitored budget in the costume shop and for student productions. Active student recruitment
Mentoring costume design students in production work for 1-2 productions annually
Facilities development:
Inventory and Re-organization Costume Shop Relocation of Costume Inventory
Mold Remediation Costume Inventory
Proposal and acquisition of new equipment (Dryer, Mannequins, and Sewing Machines) Inventory and Organization Costume Campus Storage (West 6)
Relocation of Costume Campus Storage (West 6) Proposal and acquisition of new cardboard storage boxes
Beautification and clean-up of DM 150 performance space from 2006 to 2009
Copyright of Marina Pareja 2014