<p>Looking for a good costume design education for theatre. I want a double major in something either more practical than theatre, or something that will help my costume design major, like a history major. I'm perfectly happy to transfer and have dual education with two colleges, if need be. Also, I do want to study abroad. Suggestions?</p>
<p>Well, I feel as if I should have all kinds of information for you because my D is in costume design, but she started out wanting to do MT and only just decided to switch last month. So we actually did very little investigating the design programs. We did look a <em>little</em> bit because she had decided to either go back later for a masters in costume or if she could find a program that let her double major, or get a minor, she would do both: well, we found very few programs who told us anything other than a gentle but firm “you can’t, there really isn’t time.” </p>
<p>But you know what - while I applaud your practicality in wanting a backup degree, I don’t think it’s nearly as risky to go into tech. There is always stiff competition in all art and design fields, but the lines for design jobs are a fraction, a tiny fraction, of the lines for performance.</p>
<p>And if you want to almost be guaranteed never to lack work, (as much as such a thing is possible in any field) then go tech, or that is what my working tech friends tell me. Light, sound, etc. The lines are even shorter for those jobs than design.</p>
<p>A classmate who graduated with me went into tech - she stayed in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and has always, always had work. Bought a house. Has had relatively secure financials. This is amazing in the art world. (she’s single too - did it with no help from a spouse) I talked to her about my D and she said, she always told the interns when she worked at Casa Manana, learn how to do EVERYTHING, is the best way to have work in this field.</p>
<p>Some people just are not interested in being a backstage badger - they only want to perform - they would do well to do like Suzievt’s amazing daughter (or as close as possible as she’s pretty rare and phenomenal) and supplement their career with more performance related stuff, like she does.</p>
<p>But personally - the minute my daughter decided to do costumes I quit worrying about her getting a job. I just know she’ll have no problems - I consider her to be phenomenally talented, of course, 
which helps, but if you seek out internships, and GO TO USITT!!! in the spring every year that you can - everyone says my daughter got a huge jump start on her path by going her freshman year - and pick a good program that will help you develop a good portfolio, I don’t think you should worry about studying something for practicality’s sake. Not unless it’s also a passion. I mean, don’t waste your time also getting a business degree too unless you really also love business. You know?</p>
<p>I wish I could tell you good programs but as I said we didn’t research it much - I do know most of the schools we looked at for MT did have good costume shops too. I don’t know where you are. All our info is close to Texas.</p>
<p>We love St Edward’s where my D ended up, fortunately they are going to be great for costuming - but SFA has a really wonderful costume shop and the professor told me “none of my kids wait tables, they all get jobs in the field.” I also liked University of Tulsa.</p>
<p>Didn’t look at the others too close - wish we had now! But because we chose a school with a good balanced overall program, it wasn’t a problem when she switched.</p>
<p>Oh - if you want to study abroad you ought to look at SFA. They have <em>the best</em> study abroad program of any school we looked at - it is the jewel of their program. Everyone goes into theater as a BA and gets into the BFA program by review - but it is not capped, if you are talented and don’t screw off, you should not have a problem. You want the BFA because it is part of the program to do an exchange/internship an ENTIRE year, and there are several places to choose from and this is too long already so just go look. Choices include Rose Bruford in England and the Royal Spanish Academy abroad, (RESAD?) or Estonia - or several really plummy choices in the states including The Guthrie. A whole year internship.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.theatre.sfasu.edu/international.php?link=london[/url]”>http://www.theatre.sfasu.edu/international.php?link=london</a></p>
<p>"Those concentrating on Design and Technical Theatre may also study in London, spending a year in Rose Bruford’s Theatre Design program, which includes a “placement” (internship) at a major professional theatre company in Great Britain. "</p>
<p>If my D hadn’t thought she wanted MT she would probably have gone there just for the study abroad. </p>
<p>I think I’ll stop talking about how great the program looks as D’s not in it. lol. Actually she’s thrilled with where she is and her professor is taking her under her wing like a daughter, so there are I’m sure many great programs out there. I just do happen to know of that one.</p>
<p>Check the Technical Theater thread for names of schools. I agree with snapdragonfly that competition for technical jobs is relatively lightweight. Also, technical theater couldn’t be more practical. You will learn how to sew, draft, build, paint, and plan projects. Obviously, you can apply these skills in a lot of ways other than theater. If you’re looking for a double major for other reasons, well, check out the threads that discuss good BA programs. But remember a degree in theater will give you a better shot at a paycheck than one in history.</p>
<p>Check out the options at Ball State University.</p>
<p>[Ball</a> State University - Theatre and Dance](<a href=“http://www.bsu.edu/theatre]Ball”>http://www.bsu.edu/theatre)</p>
<p>I am friends with a few double majors within our program, and BSU seems to really consider each situation as each individual situation given the circumstances. :)</p>
<p>North Carolina School Of the Arts amazing program! Also Montclair State University and you can even minor there!</p>