CA State Thespian Festival 2026

This workshop introduces students to exciting and creative career opportunities in Wardrobe Styling and Costuming within the entertainment industry.

The workshop begins by engaging students with interactive oral activities designed to broaden their interests and hobbies, helping them discover how these passions can translate into professional opportunities.

Discussion includes an overview of the entertainment wardrobe department. It clarifies the distinctions among the key roles of a wardrobe stylist, costume designer, assistant costume designer, set costumer, and costume supervisor.

Students will learn how each role contributes to building a character’s look, supporting the script, and collaborating with the costume team.

Wardrobe Styling involves selecting and returning garments and accessories from stores and costume houses. It may also include press events, music videos, mood board creation, organization, budgeting, and maintaining professional relationships.

Costuming for film and television involves fittings, specialty services such as aging/dyeing, and on-set tasks in a fast-paced production environment.

Students will learn about unions such as IATSE, discuss training options, and explore various entry-level roles, including costume production assistant positions and roles at costume houses.

By the end of the workshop, students will have a clear understanding of the variety of career options in styling and costuming, empowering them to begin exploring their own path into the entertainment industry.