The costume complex has a dual function in support of the Department
of Dramatic Art and PlayMakers Repertory Company. The main shop serves
as our classroom and as our workplace. The complex includes a crafts
room, dye room, fitting room and two costume storage spaces.
In addition to providing costumes for the PlayMakers season, the costume shop also provides support for projects undertaken by the Professional Actors Training Program, the Department of Dramatic Art and the Lab! Theatre. Other activities of the University and the Department also require support.
All majors in the department have a choice of taking the required technical
methods course in either costume or scenery. The student in the Costume
section (Drama 64-1) studies all aspects of costuming. They not only
learn basic sewing skills, but also have lectures in costume crafts, design,
and history. They learn about stage makeup in several hands-on sessions.
Their sewing projects this past semester were a quilt, a hat and kimonos.
In addition to the class hours, each student is required to do 24 hours of laboratory work on the current shows. This allows the student to contribute to the production at hand. Not every student excels at sewing, but all gain a respect for the costumer and their art.
If the undergraduate student has developed an interest in further study in the costume area, there are other courses they can take to prepare them to pursue a career in costuming:
Drama 167-- Costume Design I
Drama 169--Costume Design II
Drama 170--Survey of Western Costume History
Drama 171--Non-Western Costume History
Drama 173--Costume Construction I (Beginning Flat Pattern)
Drama 174--Costume Construction II (Beginning Draping)
Drama 196--Special Studies, Costume Production (Couture Methods)
Drama 198--Seminars in Professional Practice (Costume Crafts)
It is possible, through choices of electives, to get a BA in drama with
a costume emphasis. There are also minors available in Theatrical
Design and Theatrical Production.