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MFA in Costume Design Program Details

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MFA COSTUME DESIGN COURSES



  • Costume Design Seminar
  • Elements of Design
  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Pattern Making
  • Millinery
  • Painting & Dyeing of Textiles
  • Dramaturgy
  • Computer Rendering

COSTUME DESIGN CURRICULUM

This is a sample three-year curriculum.  Students who enter the program with demonstrably high levels of skill in technical areas or in painting and drawing may adjust their curriculum through consultation with their advisor.

SEMESTER 1

Introduction to Graduate Studies--through projects in dramaturgy, students learn the use of library on-line catalogues, databases, and inter-library loan systems as research tools.

Principles of design for the theatre--students learn the fundamentals of design with special emphasis on color theory.

Design Seminar--students learn to read, analyze, research and interpret plays through costume design.  Generally, three plays per semester.

Projects in Costume Design—Assist a designer on a fall production.  Learn paperwork skills, assist in shopping, assist in dress rehearsals.

New York Experience—credit is given for learning where and how to shop in New York, tour of Metropolitan Opera, visit costume studios, and fashion exhibits.  Network with former students in the program who work in New York.

SEMESTER 2

Design Seminar--same as above.

Life drawing--taught in the Art department, this course uses live models to teach the drawing of the human figure.  Nine hours of class time per week.

Projects in Costume Design--student does practical work assisting a designer on a production or designs a smaller show.

Costume Construction—Sewing, corsetry and special techniques

SEMESTER 3

Design Seminar--same as above

Graduate Theater History--students study a special topic in theater history from a dramaturgical perspective.

Life drawing--advanced course in life drawing taught in Art department.  Nine hours per week.

Projects in Costume Design--design a show of medium size and difficulty.

Millinery--students learn hat-making skills

SEMESTER 4

Design Seminar--same as above

Graduate Theater History--students study a special topic in theater history from a dramaturgical perspective.

Life drawing--advanced course in life drawing taught in Art department.  Nine hours per week.

Projects in Costume Design--design a show of medium size and difficulty.

Millinery--students learn hat-making skills

SEMESTER 5

Study Abroad—Students travel to one of various places around the world for master classs with important designers.  Locations in the past have included: Mexico City, London, Sofia Bulgaria, Berlin Germany, Munich, Germany, and Salzburg, Austria

Project in Lieu of Thesis (part 1)--student does painted or produced design of a play of substantial scope.

Pattern Making--students learn skills in flat pattern, draping and corset-making.

Course 3--selection from course menu

SEMESTER 6

Project in Lieu of Thesis (part 2)--student does painted or produced design of a play of substantial scope.

Advanced Pattern Making--students learn advanced skills in flat pattern and draping.

Social History of Costume--a survey of tree thousand years of costume history.

Course 4--selection from course menu

COURSE MENU

History of Art, History of Opera, Dramatic Literature and Criticism, Shakespeare, Drama of the Restoration and 18th Century, Photography, Scene Design, Lighting Design, Scene Painting, special topics in drawing or painting, directing.

PROJECTS IN LIEU OF THESIS

Normally, students will complete both a practical and a theoretical project.  The practical project will consist of designing a production of substantial scope for the Clarence Brown or Carousel Theatre seasons.  The theoretical project will consist of the design of a play involving no fewer than thirty-five costume designs.  The project will be decided upon through consultation with the student's advisor.

MASTER CLASSES

Each year, master classes will be offered with important designers or artisans.  Subjects  vary from design for dance and  site specific design to mask making, tailoring or creature design and construction.