JENNIFER OBERG

Artist's Thoughts

I want my work as a costume designer to awaken what is best in people: their compassion, acceptance, and belief in second chances. Second chances not only given to others, but also to oneself. If you cannot forgive yourself, how can you keep on going? I am drawn to stories about courage, resilience, and restoration. Through the characters and worlds I help create, I hope to remind audiences of our shared humanity and encourage them to care for one another.

At the same time, I try to approach costume design with a sense of perspective.

I love what I do and believe in the power of storytelling, but I don't believe art needs to come with an outsized sense of self-importance. I want to collaborate with generous people who care about what we are creating and about one another, without taking themselves too seriously. For me, making art should have room for humility, kindness, and FUN! If you can't take an afternoon once in a while to have a tea party in the costume shop, then why are we working together? I am here to enjoy the process of creating stories with others. Life is short - spend time with people you like, who make you feel good about yourself, and bring you joy.

Philosophy on Leadership

Grounded leadership, to me, means staying anchored in purpose, values, and relationships while leading with empathy and clear direction. I want to build trust, value the people around me, and create an environment where good people feel supported, respected, and able to do their best work. I also believe in being steady, setting healthy boundaries, and balancing care with accountability. My goal is to create a strong, positive culture where both the people and the work can thrive.

~ JO

Background

Jennifer Oberg has been busy with design, costuming and production for 30 years.

She started her career in acclaimed theater companies. She was on staff in the costume shops at Shakespeare Theatre at the Folger (King Lear, Richard III, Othello), Washington Opera in Washington D.C. (La Boheme, Magic Flute), and Old Globe in San Diego (Forever Plaid). She began as a Stitcher in the shops and worked her way up to First Hand, then Cutter/Draper. She worked with Tony Award winning costume designers Martin Pakledinez and Zack Brown, among others.

An opportunity to work on a new television series brought her to Hollywood, where she built costumes for film, television and commercials. She is a member of IATSE Local 705, Motion Picture Costumers in Los Angeles, as a costume manufacturing foreperson, the highest level in the custom-made section of Local 705. She worked as a Costume Shop Supervisor, overseeing up to 25 costume technicians at a time, working on multiple productions at once.

She worked with Emmy Award winning costume designers Robert Blackman and Kathy O'Rear, and Academy Award nominated costume designer Aggie Guerard Rodgers, among others.

Shows she worked on include Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Inventing the Abbotts, Star Trek Generations, Babylon 5, Lois and Clark, Frasier, Nurses, A Civil Action, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, Star Trek: DS9 and Voyager, Quiz Show, Last Man Standing, and Tank Girl.

Performers she worked with include Liv Tyler, Wynonna, Ashley and Naomi Judd, Darryl Hannah, Kevin Costner, Melissa Gilbert, Jane Seymour, Connie Selleca, RuPaul, Malcolm McDowell, Angie Dickinson, Majel Barrett, Eileen Brennan, Teri Hatcher, Lori Petty, and others.

She studied Apparel Manufacturing Management at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, and Professional Patternmaking at the London College of Fashion in the UK.

In 2001, Jennifer relocated to Maui to have an adventure and to start a family away from the chaos of Los Angeles.

Not having any luck breaking into the tightly-knit Maui theater scene, she opened Jennifer Oberg Atelier, a professional sewing and design studio, in Makawao Town. She started making custom wedding gowns for Maui clients instead.

Then in 2019, Maui actor/performer Eric Gilliom found her, and asked for help to make his costumes for his new show White Hawaiian. She worked with him again in 2023 for his role in The Rocky Horror Show.

In 2021, Alexander Academy Performing Company approached Jennifer to work on their new production of The Nutcracker Ballet. She has been their Costume Director for The Nutcracker, Midsummer Night's Dream, Swan Lake, La Bayadère, and Alice in Wonderland with artistic directors Absalon Figueroa and Amelia Nelson, and choreographer Hallie Hunt.

Jennifer worked with Maui OnStage as Costume Director for Seussical with director Tina Kailiponi, and won a Best Costume Design award from BroadwayWorld Hawaii for that show. She designed Murder on the Orient Express with director Kalani Whitford, and worked again with him on Come From Away - the first community theater/non-professional production in the United States. She designed The 1940s Radio Christmas Carol with director Dale Button and The Mousetrap with director Kristi Scott.

Jennifer worked with Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) on The Revolutionists, directed by Carolyn and Eliza Wright, and Anastasia, directed by Carolyn Wright.

She is the founder of The Sewing Hui of Maui. Started in 2020 to address the need for medical grade face masks for healthcare providers on Maui, this dedicated group of 300+ sewing volunteers has gone on to make over 35,000 items for over 90 Maui based non-profits, touching thousands of lives.

In January 2027, she will begin the MFA Costume Design program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where she will continue developing her work as a designer and deepen her experience in theatrical storytelling. Her long-term goal is to build relationships within the professional costume design community and work as an Assistant or Associate Costume Designer with opera and ballet companies in the United States and internationally. She is also interested in opportunities in Broadway, regional theatre, and other large-scale theatrical productions.

Just as importantly, she hopes the professional relationships she builds will create stronger connections between Maui and the wider performing arts community. Over time, she would like to help bring more resources, opportunities, collaborators, and professional support back to Maui's theatres, dancers, designers, and young artists. She hopes to contribute her extensive costume production experience, learn from established designers whose work she admires, and continue growing toward a career designing for major stages while remaining closely connected to the performing arts community on Maui.

Jennifer is grateful to have a wonderful Executive Assistant in Yasmine Lindskog. She has a creative background that blends seamlessly into her work. She has a BFA in dance from California State University Long Beach and a MA in Contemporary Dance from the London Contemporary Dance School. She has performed in the USA, Europe, Ethiopia, and China, performing works by Shobana Jeyasingh, Tony Adigun, FLOCK, Hagit Yakira Dance, Kaeja d'Dance, Robert Moses, and cia Jordi L. Vidal, amongst others. As a teaching artist, Yasmine has taught dance workshops in the USA, the UK, Belgium, Czech, Italy, and Portugal. Coming from an extensive dance background she brings practical experience working together with nonprofit arts and dance organizations in arts administration. She worked as a dancer and co-director for the community outreach programs for Adaptations Dance Theater, Maui’s professional contemporary dance company.

Jennifer lives in an imaginative household. Her husband Craig Mullins is a concept designer, illustrator and artist. Their son Micah and daughter Sara were born and raised on Maui, and enjoy theater activities. They attended Maui OnStage youth education programs, and were campers at Camp Centerstage in Maine, eventually becoming counselors. Micah has performed with ProArts, Maui OnStage, and Alexander Academy. He enjoys helping with costuming, props, backstage, and run crew. He graduated from King Kekaulike High School and was involved in the Drama Club. Sara is a graduate of Seabury Hall, and was involved in many productions as a performer and a technician. She is currently at Carnegie Mellon University, studying lighting design.

In the Press:

Resume (pdf)