Ella Barrett
Melbourne,Australia
Summary
Passionate costume and set designer with a strong educational foundation, honed at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), and further developed through numerous successful productions within Union House Theatre (UHT) companies. Highly motivated, and dedicated to the craft of theatrical design.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Costume Designer, Head of Costumes
Othello, Melbourne University Shakespeare Company (MUSC)
Melbourne, VIC
11.2024 - 05.2025
- Designed and created a variety of historically based Renaissance costumes for the production.
- Sewing and finishing of many bespoke costume pieces, ensuring both functionality and impressive visuals.
- Oversaw and delegated responsibilities to a costume team of two associates, and oversaw the department's organization and communication.
- Led and undertook the team's backstage roles, including dressing and daily maintenance.
Associate Costume Designer
Curtains, the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
Melbourne, VIC
06.2024 - 10.2024
- Supported the costume designer and costume team throughout the design and sewing process, including the implementation of some design concepts.
- Assisted with sewing elements, and the sourcing of costume pieces and fabrics. Costuming for this production was extensive and was realized through focused, efficient efforts from all.
- Regularly attended rehearsals, fittings, and meetings to remain informed and offer support to my team wherever needed.
Costume Designer/Coordinator
Much Ado About Something Showcase, Melbourne University Shakespeare Company (MUSC)
Melbourne, VIC
07.2024 - 08.2024
- Coordinated, sourced, and made costumes for four Shakespeare-inspired showcase pieces.
- Liaised with directors of each piece to realize individual creative visions, as well as a sound visual identity for the overall showcase.
Senior Costumier, Dresser
Ocean (an arrangement), Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
Melbourne, VIC
03.2024 - 06.2024
- Created sculptural dancewear pieces for the show, realizing the creative vision of the costume designer, and collaborating with the costume team.
- Provided support as needed to second-year costume associates.
- Completed dressing and daily maintenance throughout the production week.
Hair and Makeup Designer, Dresser
Cancelled, Four Letter Word Theatre
Melbourne, VIC
02.2024 - 05.2024
- Designed and realized bold hair and makeup designs for the production, collaborating with the costume designer to ensure cohesive visuals.
- Completed dressing and costume repairs during the production week.
Costume Designer, Costume Maker
The Last Supper, Cipta Theatre Company
Melbourne, VIC
02.2024 - 04.2024
- Designed and created costumes for the production, including sourcing and sewing of all costume elements.
- Oversaw and mentored an associate designer in her first costuming role.
- Collaborated with the creative team to realize a cohesive vision for the show, and the creation of a unique design concept for this original work.
Workshop Assistant
Semester 2 Production Season, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
Melbourne, VIC
08.2023 - 10.2023
- Assisted with the building, painting, and installation of set and prop elements across various shows in the VCA's 2023 second-semester season. Supported the head of staging for each show.
- Productions included Heathers the Musical, Dance Nation, She Kills Monsters, and the devised works I'LL EXPLAIN IT ALL TO YOU LATER.
- Focused on honing scenic painting skills, and the detailed painting of props.
Assistant Costume Designer, Costume Maker, Dresser
Spamalot, University of Melbourne Music Theatre Association (UMMTA)
Melbourne, VIC
08.2023 - 09.2023
- Assisted costume designers with the design, creation, and alteration of a wide variety of costumes for the production, in a notably tight time frame and budget.
- Completed dressing and maintenance roles during the production week.
- Frequently attended meetings, rehearsals, and fittings.
Set and Props Co-Designer/Builder
Short Straw Theatre Company's The Effect
Melbourne, VIC
07.2023 - 09.2023
- Designed and constructed/sourced all set and prop elements in collaboration with a co-designer.
- Regularly attended meetings and rehearsals, liaised with the creative team to ensure cohesive visuals and functionality.
Costume Assistant, Dresser
Little Women, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
Melbourne, VIC
03.2023 - 06.2023
- Created, sourced, and altered various historical costume pieces for the show, realizing the creative vision of the costume designer, and collaborating with the costume team.
- Completed dressing and daily maintenance tasks during the production week.
Costume Designer/Maker, Dresser
Lord of the Flies, Four Letter Word Theatre
Melbourne, VIC
03.2023 - 05.2023
- Designed all costume elements for the production. Created/sourced all elements, except for outsourced latex molding/painting.
- Regularly attended meetings, rehearsals, and fittings. Liaised with the creative team to ensure cohesive visuals..
- Focused on art finishing costumes and SFX skills.
- Completed dressing and maintenance tasks during production week.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) - Costume And Set Design, Costume Construction
Victorian College of The Arts (VCA), The University of Melbourne
true12-2025
Skills
- Formal sewing and costuming education
- Operation of industrial sewing machines and tools
- Design illustration
- Art finishing
- Scenic painting
- Team leadership
- Creative problem-solving
Certification
- Working with Children Check (valid until Feb 2027)
- First Aid Certificate (valid until Oct 2025)
- Responsible Service of Alcohol (valid until Dec 2026)
Referees
- Amanda Hitten, Lecturer in Costume – BFA Production VCAMCM, The University of Melbourne, 0404111786, amanda.hitten@unimelb.edu.au
- Nabila Malik, Producer - UMMTA’s Spamalot and Cipta Theatre’s The Last Supper, 0410862856, malik.nabila@gmail.com
- Charlotte Rogers, Director – Four Letter Word Theatre’s Lord of the Flies and Short Straw Theatre Company’s The Effect, rogerscharlotte02@gmail.com
Timeline
Costume Designer, Head of Costumes
Othello, Melbourne University Shakespeare Company (MUSC)
11.2024 - 05.2025
Costume Designer/Coordinator
Much Ado About Something Showcase, Melbourne University Shakespeare Company (MUSC)
07.2024 - 08.2024
Associate Costume Designer
Curtains, the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
06.2024 - 10.2024
Senior Costumier, Dresser
Ocean (an arrangement), Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
03.2024 - 06.2024
Hair and Makeup Designer, Dresser
Cancelled, Four Letter Word Theatre
02.2024 - 05.2024
Costume Designer, Costume Maker
The Last Supper, Cipta Theatre Company
02.2024 - 04.2024
Workshop Assistant
Semester 2 Production Season, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
08.2023 - 10.2023
Assistant Costume Designer, Costume Maker, Dresser
Spamalot, University of Melbourne Music Theatre Association (UMMTA)
08.2023 - 09.2023
Set and Props Co-Designer/Builder
Short Straw Theatre Company's The Effect
07.2023 - 09.2023
Costume Assistant, Dresser
Little Women, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
03.2023 - 06.2023
Costume Designer/Maker, Dresser
Lord of the Flies, Four Letter Word Theatre
03.2023 - 05.2023
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) - Costume And Set Design, Costume Construction
Victorian College of The Arts (VCA), The University of Melbourne
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