MFA in Costume Design - FAQ

See Also: How To Apply

Q. How many costume design students are in the program?
Four students at any given time.

Q. How many total design students are in the program?
There are twelve total students, four in costume design four in lighting design and four in costume design. Scene and lighting design students are recruited every other year, so on the “off” years there are eight students in the program. (two in sets, two in lights and four in costumes)

Q. How many design students are on assistantship?
All design students are on assistantships.

Q. What does the assistantship cover?
Full remission of tuition, an annual stipend of about $8200., and $1500. annual travel funding.  Total support over three years: more than $71,000.

Q. What kind of expenses will I incur in this program? 
Books, art supplies, passport, computer supplies (paper and ink) and a student activities fee. Any travel costs that exceed $1500. per year. Travel, food and housing expenses for the Salzburg Seminar are paid for by the University of Tennessee.

Q. Does the University provide health insurance?
Yes.

Q. Must I specialize in more than one area of design?
No. Only under special circumstances are students allowed to specialize in more than one area.

Q. How many shows will I design? 
At least three. One will be a lab show with a modest budget. Two will be fully supported main stage productions with budgets ranging from $3000. to $10,000.

Q. How many costume faculty are there?
Two. Marianne Custer teaches design and Bill Black teaches technology. Both are working designers who also teach. Classes are also enhanced by workshops from other designers and artisans who are not in residence.

Q. How is the costume shop staffed?
The costume shop has a manager and two full-time stitcher/craftspeople. There is also an annual budget for overhire. All costume design students work 15 hours per week in the costume shop.

Q. Is this a design program or a technology program?
While we feel it is important for design students to have technical skills with which to get work post graduation, the program focuses primarily on design. A variety of courses and workshops are available in costume technology, but much time is devoted to developing the students’ drawing, research and interpretation skills.

Q. How many theatres does the university have? 
Three. A 500 seat proscenium theatre, a 350 seat round theatre and a 100 seat lab theatre.

Q. Do the costume design professors work professionally?
Yes

Q. What other graduate degree programs are offered? 
We have an MFA in performance and in dramaturgy.

Q. Who are the directors with whom I will work?
Directors are most often guest directors from the professional theatre in the US or Europe.