Michelle Winchester

Michelle Elliot Winchester began her sewing journey at age nine and stitched her first costume by fifth grade. A love for theatre quickly followed, and after being assigned to the costume shop in high school, she discovered a lifelong passion that would shape her career. Over the years, she has designed and constructed costumes for high school productions, community theatre, university stages, and summer stock performances. While earning her undergraduate degree, she managed her university’s costume shop — learning and leading alongside a team of equally passionate peers.  

Determined to deepen her expertise, Michelle earned her MFA in Costume Design and Technology from the University of South Dakota. It was during graduate school that she discovered her true calling: teaching. For over 20 years, she has inspired the next generation of theatre artists, teaching university-level courses in Costume Design, Costume Construction, Stage Makeup, Fashion History, Stage Management, and more.  

Michelle is also a proud mother, devoted grandmother, and fiercely loved by her six Shakespearean-named cats: Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Polonius, Horatio, Coriolanus, and Ophelia.