Monika Grist-Weiner

Costume Department Director

Monika was born and raised in Brattleboro and fell in love with costuming at NEYT as a high schooler in 2007. She pursued theatre arts further by receiving her BFA in Costume Design at Savannah College of Art and Design (2009- 2013). During the summers she worked in the costume shop at Weston Playhouse (2012 and 2013)Her connections with the theatre world continued to grow when she was offered costume work at Alabama Shakespeare Festival (2013-2015). With a love for the sound of cicadas and long vowels, her journey in the American South was not over. After working two seasons at ASF, she moved to New Orleans. In the Big Easy, Monika worked for ricRACK, a non profit organization that teaches sewing and costuming to youth. While living in New Orleans offered a lot of creative richness to her life, she has continued to return to New England Youth Theatre every summer as lead costumer. Monika also joined NEYT staff to teach costuming in St. John. Since the pandemic, Monika has moved back to Brattleboro and is thrilled to be taking on a long term role at NEYT, the community she has always called home.