<p>Ok. So I kind of have a problem. I really want to be a costume designer or something in the costuming field. However, in my searches of schools around me, there's nothing. I am at a loss. The only programs I could find that looked worthwhile were at the University of Michigan and the University of Cincinnati. Are these good programs? I know that there are stellar programs at NYU and Boston U but I probably won't be able to leave the Midwest. So other than those two, what programs are offered in the Midwest area?</p>
<p>D has a friend studying costume design at DePaul. Don’t know much about the program but it might be worth investigating.</p>
<p>University of Michigan, University of Cincinnati, and DePaul all have great reps for having great overall theatre programs (that would include costume design), so I would definitely check out those 3! </p>
<p>A little more about the programs:
University of Michigan offers a BFA in Design and Production, so you would learn all aspects of theatre tech including lighting, scenic design, stage managing, costume design, sound design, etc. You can choose to focus in one of those areas if you wish, and by Junior year you would probably start working more intensely and honing your skills in that area. At UMich, you would get a broader and more well-rounded education, not being a conservatory.</p>
<p>Both University of Cincinnati CCM and DePaul are conservatories (so more intensive theatre work and less GenEds/liberal arts courses). They both offer a BFA specifically in Costume Design as part of the Design/Tech department, so I wouldn’t take this program unless you are dead set on going into costume design in your future. </p>
<p>Like I said, all three of these schools have a pretty big name in the theatre world, but I’m sure there are many, many schools of all types that offer design/tech programs in their theatre departments where you could concentrate in costume design, but just aren’t as well known. So I would advise to keep looking; you might find a school that isn’t a “big name”, but is a right fit for you!</p>
<p>I don’t know if Penn State has an undergrad costume program - I’ll let you look that up. But the work I saw done by a graduate level student there made my jaw drop, and I still think about those costumes with heart felt sighs! ;)</p>
<p>I’ve also seen some great costume work by costume majors at CMU but again I don’t know if they were undergrad or grad. They built costumes for a dance show I saw and they were fabulous.</p>
<p>(I do costumes for dance and community theatre- so I tend to notice these things!)</p>
<p>CMU and Penn State are central and western PA, which is sort of near the mid-west!</p>
<p>Iowa State has textiles and clothing and you can take all kinds of classes in that major. Ohio State also has something like textiles and clothing. If you need to stay in the Midwest, perhaps you could take the first two years and learn the pattern-making, draping, and other basic construction skills; then transfer to one of the bigger name schools for costume design.</p>
<p>There is a BA/BS offered in Design and Technology at BSU. I am a freshman here, and I have friends who really like their focus in Costuming, so you should check it out! Hope this helps! Here is the link for the Design and Technology major on the Theatre and Dance website: <a href=“http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/TheatreDance/ProgramsStudy/DesignTech.aspx[/url]”>http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/TheatreDance/ProgramsStudy/DesignTech.aspx</a></p>
<p>Columbia College Chicago has a strong Theater Design program with options to specialize in Lighting, Costumes, etc. Admissions doesn’t require a portfolio. Financial Aid is weak. When Happykid visited the campus last summer, the admissions officer who did the presentation encouraged everyone to get their gen eds out of the way cheaply at their home community colleges, and to apply for every outside scholarship that they could find out about. Location is unbeatable right in the Chicago Loop between Michigan and State. One residence hall is shared with Roosevelt and DePaul.</p>
<p>We also toured Millikin U in Decatur, IL. The Theater Design program has several concentrations including costuming. Financial aid is stronger than at Columbia. Admissions might be a bit more difficult than Columbia, but financial aid appears to be much better. Location not as exciting, however there is a traditional college campus.</p>
<p>Also, the focus of the Columbia College Chicago program is very much on practical application. They produce a HUGE number of plays each year, not just faculty directed but also plays from the school’s own (very big) Directing and Playwriting programs. There always seems to be some student director who more than anything needs to find someone who wants to design a show! So there are plenty of opportunities to get actual production experience to put on your resume.</p>
<p>There are also plenty of work-study positions for folks on the more design and technical side.</p>
<p>All of the faculty at Columbia College, not just in theater but in every department, make at least some part of their income actually practicing the art that they teach (the whole school is an arts school)</p>
<p>I was class of '98, so my information may be out of date.</p>