Brenda Van der Wiel began her career with fabric in the fashion world, studying apparel design and manufacturing at Iowa State University. She quickly learned that her talents and interest lay in theatre and the attended graduate school in costume design at the University of Illinois.

Before settling in Salt Lake City, Brenda worked for The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Santa Fe Opera, and The Utah Shakespeare Festival. In addition to designing several shows a year for the Babcock Theatre, Brenda also designs for Salt Lake Acting Company, Lagoon Amusement Park and Pioneer Theatre Company.