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University of Tennessee Department of Theatre

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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, two or three plays per semester.

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.
Photography for the Theatre – practice in photography under theatrical conditions.
Off-Campus Study; The Salzburg Seminar: special topics seminars with Euope’s finest designers.

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
Painting and Dyeing for the Theatre – teaches skills in fabric modification.
Water Color – taught in the Art department. Nine hours per week.
Projects in costume design– assisting another designer on a production.

SEMESTER 5

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.

SPECIAL TOPICS WORKSHOPS

Annual design and craft workshops are offered on a wide range of topics. They have included puppet making, leather draping, silk painting, wig styling, ventilating, shoe making, assisting in New York and others.

COURSE MENU

Costume Construction, 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.

STUDY ABROAD

Students may elect to spend one semester of their program in a foreign exchange. Students who have not studied German must be prepared to take up to two semesters and a summer of German language to qualify for the exchange.