Jenna’s Story

Jenna Damberger is an award winning costume designer, a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, where she received her B.A. in Theatre, and holds an M.F.A. in Costume Design from the prestigious Boston University.

Her journey in the world of the performing arts began with fifteen years of ballet training which led her to acting. Upon arriving at her undergraduate program an opportunity for work study in the costume shop ignited a new passion of storytelling through collaborative Costume Design. While Jenna’s focus pivoted to the creation of costumes, her years of experience in performing has given her a unique perspective on performers relationships with their costumes.

Jenna received the 2022 Artie Award for Outstanding Costume Design of A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM at Shakespeare in Delaware Park, and 2018 Artie Award for THE ILLUSION at RLTP and was nominated for the 2019 Artie Award for THE AUTHENTIC LIFE OF BILLY THE KID. Her designs in Western New York include THE COLOR PURPLE (Ujima Company, Second Generation Theatre & Shea’s 710 Theatre), THE SECRET GARDEN, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Second Generation Theatre) THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (All For One Productions), MEASURE FOR MEASURE and LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST (Shakespeare in Delaware Park), UN BALLO IN MASCHERA, THE MEDIUM & THE TELEPHONE (Buffalo Opera Unlimited) SECRET SOLIDERS, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, GO DOG,GO (Theatre of Youth) MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY (RLTP at Shea’s 710) and THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE WATSON INTELLIGENCE, SWEAT, GUARDS AT THE TAJ, TRIBES, HAND TO GOD, & DISGRACED (RLTP). She spent two seasons as the resident designer and shop manager for The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre. She has also designed for Cleveland Public Theatre, Theatre Ninjas, and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Next Stage Ensemble.

An experienced costume shop manager, draper, and milliner, she has hosted workshops and lectured on a variety of topics, most recently with Niagara University. Throughout her time in WNY she has served as the shop manager and Draper/tailor for each of the productions she designed.

Jenna has on-set and background costumer experience. She has also served as a stitcher, dresser, or first hand for Boston University, Dorset Theater Festival, Commonwealth Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Ohio Light Opera, Tecumseh!, and Baldwin-Wallace College.

Jenna is based out of Buffalo, NY where she is a proud member of the Road Less Traveled Ensemble. A strong advocate for treating all artists with dignity she opened Houndstooth Costume Collective in 2022 in the heart of the Buffalo Theatre District. Jenna serves as the Owner and Executive Director of this collective studio gives freelance artists a home to practice their craft, and a community in which to collaborate.