Currently in her 27th year as a professional costume designer, Donna has designed over 200 shows including The Importance of Being Earnest, Joyful Noise, Charlie's Aunt, Sherlock Holmes, The Final Adventure, Emma, Godspell, The Beams are Creaking, Shadowlands, The Miracle Worker, and The Diary of Anne Frank, awarded Houston Press Best Costume design for the 2014 Houston Press Awards.  Ms. Schmidt also designed John, His Story, which performed at the Lamb's Theater off Broadway in New York City.

 

Of the many children's shows Donna has designed over the years, her favorites include The Jungle Book, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, Treasure Island , The Hobbit, The Hero Squad Vs The  Supervillian's Apprentice, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Sideways Stories From Wayside School, The Wizard of Oz and Pinkalicious, The Musical.

 

Donna has designed at numerous Houston theaters including Express Theater, Interactive Theater, Mainstreet Theater, and the A.D. Players where she served as head designer and costume shop manager for 25 years.

 

In addition to designing, Donna is currently the manager of the Costume Connection, a costume warehouse collaborative led by Main Street Theater in Houston for arts groups to share resources and rent costumes for productions.

 

Awards:

Houston  Press Theater Awards Nominee for The Wizard of Oz at Main Street Theater (2018)

Houston  Press Theater  Awards Winner for The Diary of Anne Frank at The A.D. Players (2014)

Houston Press Theater Awards Finalist  for Charlie's Aunt at The A.D. Players (2012)

Museum of Fine Arts Houston Silver Scissors Honorable Mention for Professional Theater (2000)

Museum of Fine Arts Houston Silver Scissors Costume Award (1995)

Museum of Fine Arts Houston Silver Scissors Chairman's Choice Award for Costume Design (1994)

Recognized as one of Houston’s top designers in 1996- The Sickle Cell Ass