Theatre Costume Making

14 weeks (followed by up to 6 week work placement)

Work on the course is project based:

Project 1
18th Century Menswear Tailoring techniques

Project 2
19th Century Women’s wear Incorporating corsetry, underpinnings, and period decoration

Project 3     
Hollywood Glamour Interpretation of an original gown

As well as project work, one day per week is devoted to building up a portfolio of samples and techniques. 

A public showcase of work is exhibited on the final weekend.

Field trips are arranged to local and national fabric and haberdashery suppliers and museum collections. Recent trips include: fabric shopping at Yorkshire Mills and London, visiting costume collections at the York Castle Museum private collection and Temple Newsham Textile Gallery and Victoria & Albert Museum.

On successful completion of the course, all students are offered at least 1 work placement of between 4 and 6 weeks duration. Theatres in support of the College include; The Royal Shakespeare Company, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Royal Opera House, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Manchester Royal Exchange, Derby Playhouse.

Students may also have the opportunity to work as wardrobe assistants on freelance projects. Part of the 2007 course involved students constructing period uniforms for the London Transport Museum whilst the 2006 course involved the interpretation of 18th century occupational costume for the National Trust.