MFA Costume Design Sample Curriculum

The following is a typical 3-year study program. It can and should be adapted to suit the interests and experience of each individual student.

SEMESTER 1:

• Theatre 501 Intro to Graduate Studies (3)
  • Through projects in dramaturgy, students learn research tools and methods for the theatre artist.
• Theatre 503 Elements of Design for the Theatre (3)
  • Analysis of the principles of design including visual, structural and emotional relationships.
• Theatre 540 Master Class in Costume Design (3)
  • The purpose of this class is to build the student’s working portfolio. Students will develop research, rendering, and conceptualization skills. This course will analyze the principles and theories of costume design for theatrical productions. Students will learn a range of design-related skills, which include drawing the figure and rendering in various media, understanding of design elements such as color, proportion, scale and others, develop a familiarity with costume history, and understand the process of costume development from concept to performance. Repeats 6 semesters.
• Theatre 580 Design Seminar (3)
  • In this intensive 3-semester design course, students learn to analyze research, interpret and design productions in a cross- disciplinary environment. Through a series of fast paced projects, semester one is designed to dramaturgically connect the designer to the source material and develop a visual expression of that understanding.

SEMESTER 2:

• Theatre 510 Theatre History (3)
  • Intensive study of selected topics in theatre history.
• Theatre 540 Master Class in Costume Design (3)
  • The purpose of this class is to build the student’s working portfolio. Students will develop research, rendering, and
    conceptualization skills. This course will analyze the principles and theories of costume design for theatrical productions. Students will learn a range of design-related skills, which include drawing the figure and rendering in various media, understanding of design elements such as color, proportion, scale and others, develop a familiarity with costume history, and understand the process of costume development from concept to performance.
• Theatre 547 Painting and Dyeing (3)
  • Fibers, dyes and dye processes; color matching and distressing.
• Theatre 580 Design Seminar (3)
  • In the second semester we will return to the text and embark on a series of projects designed to stimulate creative concept creation and the initial aural and visual images that support your ideas. Each week, through written, oral and visual presentation
    you will share your bold, innovative concepts with the class. You will be expected to step out of your comfort zone during this
    semester and present your conceptual ideas clearly and concisely explain how your research and visual aids support the text.
• Theatre 492 Off-Campus Study (1)
  • Intensive study NYC trip.

SEMESTER 3:

• Theatre 446 Costume Patterning (3)
  • Techniques in making patterns for theatrical costume.
• Theatre 540 Master Class in Costume Design (3)
  • The purpose of this class is to build the student’s working portfolio. Students will develop research, rendering, and
    conceptualization skills. This course will analyze the principles and theories of costume design for theatrical productions. Students will learn a range of design-related skills, which include drawing the figure and rendering in various media, understanding of design elements such as color, proportion, scale and others, develop a familiarity with costume history, and understand the process of costume development from concept to performance.
• Theatre 580 Design Seminar (3)
  • In the third semester, design students explore advanced projects in design including those outside of the traditional theatre setting. Diverse productions, large-scale projects and complex design situations are the primary focus this semester.
• Theatre 584 Photography for the Theatre (3)
  • Photographic techniques for shooting live theatrical events under challenging lighting environments and the incorporation of these
    into a professional portfolio.
• Theatre 587 Computer Aided Rendering for the Theatre (3)
  • Computer rendering programs and their use by theatrical designers.

SEMESTER 4:

• Theatre 542 The Social History of Costume (3)
  • Study and analysis of costume as related to society’s manners and mores, architecture and furniture.
• Theatre 540 Master Class in Costume Design (3)
  • The purpose of this class is to build the student’s working portfolio. Students will develop research, rendering, and conceptualization skills. This course will analyze the principles and theories of costume design for theatrical productions. Students will learn a range of design-related skills, which include drawing the figure and rendering in various media, understanding of design elements such as color, proportion, scale and others, develop a familiarity with costume history, and understand the process of costume development from concept to performance.
• Theatre 545 Millinery for the Stage (3)
  • Pattern making and construction techniques for hats from antiquity to present.
• Theatre 588 Digital Portfolio (3)
  • Creating a digital theatrical design portfolio and supporting materials and the exploration of presentation options and standards.
• Theatre 491 Foreign Study (1)
  • Intensive study abroad trip.

SEMESTER 5:

• Theatre 540 Master Class in Costume Design (3)
  • The purpose of this class is to build the student’s working portfolio. Students will develop research, rendering, and conceptualization skills. This course will analyze the principles and theories of costume design for theatrical productions. Students will learn a range of design-related skills, which include drawing the figure and rendering in various media, understanding of design elements such as color, proportion, scale and others, develop a familiarity with costume history, and understand the process of costume development from concept to performance.
• Theatre 549 Special Projects in Costume Technology (3)
  • Individualized studies in costume technology in theater production. This semester the focus will be creating a half-scale historic costume. This will be presented at SETC.
• Theatre 599 Project in Lieu of Thesis (6)
  • Culminating project proposed by student. Includes produced production/performance/exhibit and written thesis, or In-depth research in a topic of specific interest to the student, culminating in a paper or project.
• Elective (3)

SEMESTER 6:

• Theatre 540 Master Class in Costume Design (3)
  • The purpose of this class is to build the student’s working portfolio. Students will develop research, rendering, and conceptualization skills. This course will analyze the principles and theories of costume design for theatrical productions. Students will learn a range of design-related skills, which include drawing the figure and rendering in various media, understanding of design elements such as color, proportion, scale and others, develop a familiarity with costume history, and understand the process of costume development from concept to performance.
• Theatre 599 Project in Lieu of Thesis (3)
  • Preparation of marketing materials, portfolio, and catalog of individual work produced while in the program, culminating in a formal presentation and oral defense.
• Elective (3)

SUGGESTED ELECTIVE COURSE MENU:

• History of Art, History of Opera, Music Theory/ Technology, Music Composition, Music History, Dramatic Literature and Criticism, Renaissance Drama, Modern Drama, Contemporary Drama, Shakespeare, Drama of the Restoration and 18th Century, Photography, Costume Design, Lighting  Design, Sound Design, Media Design, Advanced Theatre Technology.