...from Dean Mogle - Professor of Theater Design & Production
COSTUME DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
Hello and thank you for your interest in the Costume Design and
Technology Program at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
We offer both a BFA degree in Theatre Design and Production (TD&P) with an
emphasis in Costume Design and Technology as well as a two (2) year highly
concentrated MFA degree in Costume Design and Technology. We are fully
accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
and a member of U/RTA.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Our philosophy for the Costume Design and Technology Program is best simply
stated: Costume designers communicate better with costume technicians when
they have a working knowledge of the elements and areas of costume technology;
Costume technicians communicate better with costume designers when they have
a working knowledge of the process and elements of costume design. Therefore,
both the BFA and MFA degrees emphasize the dual importance of design and
technology. As an individual artist, your strength may lie in one area or
the other, yet knowledge of both is critical in this collaborative art.
And, as is often the case, entry level positions in professional costume
shops and theatres frequently tend to be in technology (cutting, draping,
crafts, paint/dye) and wardrobe and less frequently in design.
Our program recognizes this fact and addresses it honestly.
PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
offers a wide range of theatrical experiences for students.
During each academic (10 month/3 quarter) year we produce two
(2) major productions each of Opera, Musical Theatre and Drama
on our two (2) mainstages as well as a host of workshop
productions (usually 6-10) in our studio theatre and various
other venues around the campus and city. At present we are not
involved directly with the Division of Dance, but do, on occasion,
interact with their faculty and students when a ballet, for example,
is an integral part of an opera.
Both undergraduate and graduate students are given opportunities
as design assistants, first-hands, cutter/drapers, crafts persons
and workshop designers as well as wardrobe and maintenance personnel
on all productions. Faculty, staff and graduate students most
frequently design the six (6) mainstage productions although
exceptional undergraduates may also have the opportunity. The
many workshops are all student designed even though faculty from
the Opera, Musical Theatre and Drama programs direct. The
relationship between faculty, staff and students is a professionally
demanding one within an equally demanding educational setting.
CCM undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to seek
summer employment at one of the nation's many outstanding summer
opera, musical theatre or drama institutions or apply to such
summer internship programs as the Costume Collection's in New
York City. The CCM Opera program also has a summer opera festival
in Lucca, Italy, in which costume students may participate.
COSTUME SHOP FACILITIES
The CCM costume shop is a new, moderate size space excellently
equipped to produce the most challenging designs. It includes
a separate paint/dye studio, toxic spray room, laundry and
maintenance facility, fitting area, offices, excellent and
organized large costume stock and more. Some of our equipment
includes, industrial and domestic sewing machines and sergers,
blind hemmers, walking foot, post, Omni-Stitch, and computerized
embroidery machines, smocker, plotter and printer, stainless
steel industrial dye vat and steam cabinet, etc. Our Costume
Stock includes thousands of costumes including the Broadway
and touring production of The Scarlet Pimpernel
and the Tony-nominated Cyrano! The Musical.
COURSES OFFERED
Regular course offerings include beginning and advanced
costume design, costume history and historical pattern
development, millinery, fabric painting and dyeing,
mask-making, costume construction, patterning, draping,
and tailoring. Seminar and Special Topics classes are added as needed.
HONORS AND AWARDS
CCM is continually recognized regionally, nationally and
internationally for it's high quality productions and
professional training programs. Our TD&P faculty, staff
and students have, and continue to receive numerous
awards and citations for outstanding design and technological
achievements from the National Opera Association Opera
Production Competition to the USITT-Ohio Section Peggy
Ezekiel Awards for both productions at CCM and elsewhere.
Students occasionally assist faculty designers with their
off-campus professional positions, thus gaining valuable experience.
In 1992 we were invited to present our world premier
production of Mozart's opera ZAIDE (with new English
libretto by John Mortimer), for the Mozart Bicentennial
Celebration at Lincoln Center. Students were actively
involved in this effort both here at CCM and in New York
at the Julliard Opera Theatre. This gave students not
only exposure to the national and international professional
arts community, but also the opportunity to experience five
(5) days in NYC with all it's educational benefits.
EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL
Undergraduate and graduate costume students of CCM
have recently been, or are now currently, employed
in costume technology, crafts, wardrobe and/or design
with The Washington Opera, The San Francisco Opera,
The Denver Theatre Center, Cirque du Soleil, The
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Utah Shakespearean
Festival, Chicago Lyric Opera, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf
Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, American Players
Theatre, Santa Fe Opera, The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati,
Mill Mountain Playhouse, the Shakespeare Theatre, Wolf Trap
Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, New American Theatre, English
National Opera, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati
Ballet, Disney, Broadway, national tours, as well as with
commercial and independent film companies.
ADMISSION
Besides the usual University and College application
procedures and their requirements, admission to the
undergraduate program is by portfolio review and interview
which may be conducted at any on- or off-campus interview
location. Graduate admission includes the usual application
procedure and portfolio review; however the interview must
take place ON CAMPUS. (Rare exceptions may be made.) It is
important for applicants to visit our facilities and witness
first-hand our complex production and educational demands to
better understand what they may expect from the program and
what the program will expect from them. A full day visit is
recommended with a longer stay desirable. This gives the
applicant time to experience the working and academic
environment as well as ask questions of the faculty,
staff and students with whom (s)he will be interacting
daily if accepted into the program. The number of MFA
costume students ranges from two (2) to five (5) with eight
(8) to twelve (12) undergraduate TD&P majors with an emphasis
in Costume Design and Technology.
CONCLUSION
The Costume Design and Technology Program at UC-CCM is a demanding,
intensive educational experience for the highly motivated
individual seeking a professional career. Few programs and/or
institutions can offer as wide a range of opportunities, experiences
and exposures as we are able to give students. And, few programs
and/or institutions expect as much from their students as we must
and do. As frightening as this intensity sounds, a most creative
and challenging environment exists within, as The New York Times
has described, "One of this country's leading conservatories".
We're extremely proud of our accomplishments and hope that you
may become a part of them.
So... when you have questions, or if I may be of help in
arranging your visit, please give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Dean Mogle
Professor/Head
Costume Design and Technology
CCM
Dean.Mogle@UC.edu
