CA State Thespian Festival 2026: Full Schedule

In this hands-on costume design workshop, students learn how designers read between the seams—first by analyzing visual clues in existing costumes, then by breaking down a script to uncover character information. Students will practice thinking like designers, using observation, imagination, and storytelling to turn text into costume concepts

Teaching Artists

David Dean Cruz

Costume Designer/ Drag Queen

David Dean Cruz is a costume designer, performer, and proud Thespian Troupe 4712 alum (Class of 2008) who believes costumes should do more than look good—they should tell the story before a line is ever spoken.

His creative work spans theatre, film, and drag queen entertainment, where bold choices, quick thinking, and strong silhouettes are part of the job. David studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) and has hands-on experience sewing and building... Read More →

Sunday March 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
Carnegie 214

Workshop, Wardrobe/ Costumes

1:15pm PDT

Found Fashion: Character Edition

FILLING

Sunday March 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm PDT

Carnegie 214

Limited Capacity filling up

This workshop challenges students to create character-based costume designs using unconventional materials. Starting with garbage bags as the primary fabric, students design both a costume and an accessory that reveals key character traits. The focus is on translating script-based character choices into visual storytelling through shape, texture, and symbolism.

Teaching Artists