About

I’m Terry Pieritz. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio—a city with the second-largest theater district in the United States—I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some of the most talented creatives in the vibrant Cleveland arts community.

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My journey into costuming began unexpectedly during my undergraduate studies as a vocal performance student at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM). What started as a survival skill (girls just wanna have funds) quickly became my calling. After graduating, I became the resident designer for the Opera program at CIM and Lyric Opera Cleveland, where I discovered the joy of crafting costumes that bring characters and stories to life.

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With a Master of Fine Arts in Theater Design from Case Western Reserve University, I expanded my career into academia. I spent seven years teaching and designing costumes at Case Western Reserve’s Department of Theatre and later led the fashion program at Beaumont High School for eight years, guiding young creatives as they explored the world of design.

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For over 15 years, I served as the Costume Shop Manager and Faculty Designer at Cleveland State University, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with students and professionals on countless theatrical productions. More recently, I’ve joined IATSE Local 29 Union to support Cleveland’s growing film industry, focusing on costuming and tailoring for the screen.

While I’ve worked across a wide range of genres and styles, period costuming has always been my favorite. I love the challenge of bringing history to life through detailed craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and a commitment to authenticity.

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For me, costume design is about more than creating clothing—it’s about building characters, shaping stories, and enhancing the magic of performance. I’m proud to continue this journey, collaborating with others who share my passion for creativity and craft.