Theater Schools- Costuming.

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Ever since I was young, I’ve had an overwhelming passion for designing costumes and drafting ideas. Now, in my would-be senior year of schooling; I’m starting to freak about what and where I’m going to go to college. </p>

<p>To start this off, I’m a young senior and it wouldn’t do any harm waiting a year after before starting college. Also, I’ve been homeschooled since Junior high, so I lack any transcripts, SAT scores or a diploma. Most schools I have looked in to only require a said a mount of credits on college if there are no transcripts/SAT scores. Something I plan on doing starting this Spring. </p>

<p>I would really really love to go a good theater school, but money is an issue and my family can’t really afford to send me somewhere good with three siblings trailing behind me.
Does anyone have suggestions for good theater schools that won’t cost a fortune?</p>

2

<p>For costume design:
Indiana U Bloomington,
Boston U,
U Cincinnati,
Drexel</p>

<p>For theater design/technology, there are dozens of programs. Which state do you live in?</p>

3

<p>Also UConn for costuming.</p>

4

<p>Goblin --
Finally a message that I can chime in on, and sorry if this is long. In my years BC (before children, lol) I built costumes for Arena Stage, Washington Opera, and assorted private theater contractors. This is a droplet of advice, but feel free to ignore it.</p>

<p>A life in theater production is awesome, exciting, fun and you meet the best people in the world. However. It is seasonal work and dreadfully underpaid. Most of us couldn't pay our student loans. We all went to fantastic colleges --Yale (I believe was the best theater production program at that time), William & Mary, UVA, and I went to the American University of Paris (and 2 French Grandes-Ecoles after that). We were all poor, starving, and bohemian -- and not always by choice. Working conditions were unhealthy -- we handled toxic substances and propellants were always in the air. Many days we all had headaches, dizzy spells, etc. But we attended all the theater, opera, and dance productions for free and enjoyed hanging out together.</p>

<p>If you are set on a college degree, go all the way to a teaching certificate, teach college theater design and 'job out' to professional theaters. That way you will have steady employment with benefits. If you are iffy on college, you can start interning at your local theater and bulk up your schedule with art, clothing design and history classes. Not to mention take as many theater classes as you can at college level and volunteer for the productions. Start working on a portfolio. There is lots of info on line about portfolio formats. Build 'thematic' portfolios based on actual plays, musicals, etc. Oh, and sewing is a vitally important skill to master (even if you only design and never actually sew, you still need to know how).</p>

<p>Cheers to you and life in theater!
Mary</p>