What to Expect-
The MFA in Costume Design focuses on visual storytelling, dramaturgy, script analysis, deep research strategies, and artistic leadership within the creative design process. Students develop a distinct artistic voice grounded in historical fluency, collaborative vision, and contemporary performance practices to translate text and narrative into compelling visual worlds.
Core Pedagogy & Foundations
Classical Foundations & Research
Mastery precedes innovation. Costume Design students undertake rigorous training in visual literacy, historical context, and dramaturgical analysis:
- Dramaturgy & Analysis: Critical play analysis and dramaturgical research strategies.
- Historical Fluency: Costume history (two-semester sequence) and research in the psychology and sociology of dress.
- Foundational Craft: Draping, flat patterning, tailoring, historical construction methods, and textile literacy.
- Archival Research: Hands-on engagement with costume collections, museum archives, visiting scholars, and the Rare Books and Manuscript Library.
Contemporary Innovation & Visual Storytelling
Students are encouraged to test the boundaries of costume as a dynamic storytelling medium:
- Digital Rendering & Visualization: Digital costume rendering, Clo3D technology, and 3D visualization.
- Experimental Performance: Support for non-linear, experimental, and site-specific performance practices.
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Creative partnerships across art, engineering, performance, and design disciplines.
- Sustainable Design: Integration of sustainable principles and material consciousness into design conceptualization.
Production Assignments & Design Pedagogy
Design students gain extensive mainstage and realized production experience within the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, working across three resident companies: Theatre, Dance, and Lyric Opera.
Required Production Assignments:
- Minimum of Two Mainstage Designs
- One Contemporary Small/Medium Production Design
- One Large-Scale Opera or Musical Design
- Additional Opportunities: Opportunities to design for the Department of Dance @ Illinois
Financial Support & Assistantships
All admitted MFA Costume Design students receive financial support packages, which include:
- Full Tuition Waiver
- Graduate Assistantship Stipend
Professional Assistantship Training
Assistantships offer practical experience in professional production environments:
- Krannert Center Costume Shop operations and production support.
- Wig and Makeup Studio.
- Costume Rental management.
- Coordinating Costumes for the Department of Dance at Illinois.
Culminating MFA Thesis
The MFA in Costume Design culminates in a substantial, 2-semester independent thesis project:
- Realized Design Project: A fully realized garment, production design, or installation.
- Sustained Research & Documentation: Supported by deep research, creative experimentation, process documentation, and portfolio presentation.
Facilities & Design Resources
Costume Design students work primarily within the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and utilize cutting-edge creative labs across campus:
- Production Studios: Fully equipped costume shop, wig and makeup studio, and dye/craft facilities
- Siebel Center for Design: Access to 3D visualization, digital fabrication, and prototyping tools
- School of Art & Design Digital Labs: VR applications, digital fashion technology, and screen printing
- CU Community Fab Lab: Access to emerging digital, physical, and smart media tools
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Costume Design program transition into leading creative and artistic leadership roles across theater, film, television, opera, dance, and academia:
- Costume Designers
- Assistant Costume Designers
- Costume Illustrators & Digital Artists
- Fashion Industry Stylists
- Costume Design Faculty
- Art Administrators
- Wardrobe & Design Consultants
Contact
For additional information:
Olga Maslova, Chair of Costume Design program: maslova@illinois.edu