Costume Design

The Costume Design program at The University of Texas at Austin utilizes the psychological, emotional and sociological theories of dress and identity to visually motivate narrative. While costume has always been a privileged element of performance, the innovations of the last two decades have created a vast array of new challenges and opportunities for visual storytellers. The Costume Design program covers areas as diverse as opera, multimedia performance, interactive dance, immersive installations and live theatrical narrative.

Our design students are the storytellers and performance makers of the next generation, who use their time in graduate school to declare themselves as artists changing history.

We consider costume design an area of work and study that is in conversation with all other disciplines. The M.F.A. in Design and Technology is a three-year, 60 hour course of study consisting of four components: the design/technology studio, production laboratory critical thinking/writing and skill-building. Two candidates are admitted each year from an intensely competitive group of applicants. 

Studio Courses (6 Semesters)

• Design Studio I (Year 1, 2 semesters) (including Drawing Lab) The first year is spent in Studio I with all new designers and actors. Topics covered in Design Studio I may include: devising performance, designing new work, collaboration and critical thinking.
• Studio II/Costume Design (4 semesters) (includes Drawing Lab). This is a discipline-specific costume design studio with all graduate costume designers focusing on the art and practice of costume design. The goal of these studios is depth of thinking and exploration.

Skill-Building Courses (6 Semesters)

The student may select from choices in many alternative areas. The student, with the advice and guidance of the design faculty and the student's primary design mentor, choose the skill-building courses. Specific course examples:

• Costume Design Skills (drawing, painting, fabric),
• Color in Design,
• Fabric Dyeing and Painting,
• Figure and Fabric Rendering,
• Digital Rendering,
• Script 2 Screen (Radio-Television-Film),
• Tailoring,
• Draping,
• Millinery,
• Mask-Making,
• ScenePainting,
• Lighting Design Skills,
• Scenic Design Skills,
• Armor-Making

Production Laboratory (6 Semesters)

The student conceives, plans and realizes costume designs for the Department of Theatre and Dance, the Butler School of Music and, upon arrangement, Department of RadioTelevision-Film productions. Students design costumes for at least three productions with additional opportunities. Students can accomplish realized designs for theatre, dance, opera and experimental performance as a part of their curriculum. Opportunities in film production design exist within collaborative arrangements with the Department of Radio-Television-Film

Critical Thinking/Writing (1 Semester)

Courses may include Theatre History, Design Theory, Reading the Canon and Research Methods.

Electives (3 Semesters)

In addition to courses offered by the Department of Theatre and Dance, students may also select courses from other departments of the university, including, though not limited to, the College of Fine Arts and the Department of Radio-Television-Film.

Thesis (2 Semesters)

The graduate Costume Design thesis serves as the capstone of the candidate's graduate work at the University of Texas at Austin. It is the final opportunity for the M.F.A. candidate to demonstrate his or her aesthetic, artistic, intellectual and technical acumen relative to the standards of the professional model.  The thesis will be reviewed per the standards of the performing arts industries and the university's standards of research. The thesis will consist of three parts: 

• A demonstration of artistry and skill in costume design.
• A demonstration of artistry and skill in costume design.
• A demonstration of artistry and skill in costume design.

Requirements

To apply, go to ApplyTexas.org, create an account and fill out the form. Note: Online requests for recommendations will be activated only after you have completed and paid for your application.

• Official Transcripts: Applicants must submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Online instructions for uploading transcripts (PDF format only).
• GRE Score: The GRE is not required for admission to the M.F.A. in Design and Technology program.
• Three letters of recommendation: These letters should be written by those who can speak most authoritatively about your background, training, professional experience and potential for a career in your chosen area of specialization in theatre. Each reference will receive instructions on how to submit his/her letter online to the Graduate School's secured web site. Only one letter is required from each reference.
• Professional Résumé of your practical theatre work.
• Design or Technical Résumé​
• Statement of Purpose: This two-page statement purpose should outline educational and professional goals, philosophy and/or personal theatre aesthetic.
• Design or Technical Portfolio: Portfolios should include examples of drawing, painting, drafting or any other manual skills applicable to your discipline including photos of realized productions or record of realized artwork. All portfolios must be submitted in the form of a website link or DVD (PowerPoint or QuickTime image file) before an interview can be scheduled. Images uploaded as portfolio materials (including the website link) must be in PDF format. For DVD submission information, see below. Applicants should bring an original portfolio to their on-campus interview, should one be scheduled. Résumés, statement of purpose, portfolios and other materials should be submitted online at the Document Upload System. DVD portfolios and/or materials that cannot be upload in PDF format should be mailed directly to the address below. DVD portfolios will not be returned.

Scholarships

For students who need additional financial support beyond fellowships and assistantships, financial aid is available. Graduate students may apply for federal, state and institutional financial aid programs administered by the Office of Student Financial Services.