Barbara Niederer

Head of Costume Technology

Barbara Niederer began her career in the costume field as a freelance cutter/draper, tailor, stitcher, designer, wig stylist, photo stylist, dresser, dyer/painter, milliner, costume shop manager and wardrobe mistress. She has worked for many theatre companies in Chicago, Illinois including The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Lookingglass Theatre, Second City, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, River North Dance Company, Northlight Theatre, as well as other theaters in the United States such as Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Alley Theatre, and Tacoma Actors Guild to name a few. During her professional career she had the pleasure of working with many distinguished actors, directors and designers such as, Brian Bedford, Holland Taylor, Ann Reinking, Veronica Hamel, Mark Rylance, Jane Greenwood, Keegan-Michael Key, Martin Pakledinaz, Brian D’Arcy James, Ellyn Burstyn, Jeff Richmond, Michael Cerveris, Peter Brook and Paul Tazewell. 

Barbara came to Houston to develop and teach a professional MFA Costume Technology program for the School of Theatre & Dance at the University of Houston’s Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts.  Graduates of her program work in New York, Los Angeles, and everywhere in between. She is also a Costume Designer and has designed some productions and dance pieces for the School of Theatre & Dance as well as working on shows for theatre companies in Houston. Along with her teaching duties she also does committee work and acts as the Costume Director for the School of Theatre & Dance. In the summer months she is the Costume Director for The Houston Shakespeare Festival.  Originally from the Midwest, she received a B.A. from Barat College and an M.F.A. from Southern Illinois University.