Graduate Programs
Costume Production
The Graduate Costume Production Program produces leaders and innovators who are capable of working collaboratively and interdisciplinarily in the fields of modern costume making and management. These artisans work at the intersections of time-honored techniques, innovative methodologies, and emerging technologies as prolific contributors to the industry.
Our students are prepared to bring their own ideas and breadth of knowledge to the collective, creative table and to respect the interplay among artists that allows for exploration of worlds beyond any singular imagination. They possess a realistic knowledge of the business; open, positive attitudes; active, inquisitive minds; and the passionate goal of engaging vitally with their peers.
Graduates from the School of Drama Costume Production program are sought after to work as drapers, first hands, tailors, painters/dyers, milliners, designers and shop managers or to be entrepreneurs across disciplines and platforms. They are relied upon to be collaborative and creative in their approach to the work and the future of the industry.
Curriculum
The Costume Production program offers opportunities for mastery in areas including draping, flat patterning, tailoring, stretch techniques, and dancewear. Crafts, including fabric dyeing and painting, needle arts, armor, millinery, footwear, jewelry, and mask-making, are foundational. Management coursework in business standards, conflict negotiation, and personnel and resource management round out the rigorous curriculum.
In addition, the training encompasses an understanding of: the history of clothing, the role of the designer and the impetus for the design, and the nuance of the dramaturgical and directorial approach to a text, to support our holistic pedagogy.
The thesis, completed in the third year of study, allows students to investigate an area of personal interest that evolves a current practice, incites new protocol, explores a creative endeavor, or otherwise propels the industry or individual forward.
Recent Visiting Artists
- John David Ridge
- Polly Kinney
- Jeff Fender
- David Brian Brown
- Zandra Rhodes
- Lalon and Theresa Alexander
- Marianne Krostyne
- Steve Tolin / Tolin FX
- Miodrag Guberinic
- Aaron Hartnet
- Sally Ann Parsons
- Cynthia Settje
Opportunities
Classroom training synthesizes into practical application when Costume Production students interact across disciplines to participate in the School of Drama and School of Music productions as drapers, makers, crafts artisans, and managers. Production opportunities are an extension of the classroom learning with a focus toward vocational aspiration and proficiency. Faculty advisors mentor and support individual student progress throughout the course of these assignments.
Professional experience is gained through a variety of avenues including relationships with local professional theaters and makers as well as summer internships with nationally acclaimed performing arts institutions. Regular industry guests provide value added content by exposing students to renown experts in the field.
Unique Platforms
All School of Drama students have to opportunities to participate in the following:
DANCE/LIGHT
Dance/Light is a performance opportunity for students across all disciplines to collaborate in the creation of original dance and movement pieces.
PLAYGROUND
A Festival of Independent Student Work: Playground is the annual, School of Drama, three-day performance festival showcasing independent, student-produced work across multiple disciplines.
VISITING ARTISTS PROGRAM
The Visiting Artists Program brings distinguished national and international guests to campus to work with students across all disciplines.
SHOWCASE
The School of Drama Showcase presentations in Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles are designed to give graduating students from all disciplines the opportunity to meet with and present work to leading arts and entertainment professionals.
The Graduate Costume Production Program produces leaders and innovators who are capable of working collaboratively and interdisciplinarily in the fields of modern costume making and management. These artisans work at the intersections of time-honored techniques, innovative methodologies, and emerging technologies as prolific contributors to the industry.
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Graduate Production Technology & Management Curriculum
