Boston University

Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Costume Production at Boston University equips students with the skills to design, construct, and manage costumes for both theatre and film. This program emphasizes craftsmanship, teamwork, and professional practices, allowing students to enhance their studio skills through hands-on production work, constructive critiques, and personalized guidance.

What you'll study

The BFA curriculum is centered around practical studio work, active participation in productions, and the gradual development of technical skills. Students will engage in coursework that blends the fundamentals of costume-making and design with insights into production processes, management, and theatre history.

Core learning areas

• Costume production and construction: Mastering the art of building costumes using industry-standard techniques and workflows.
• Costume design foundations: Learning to translate creative visual concepts into practical costume designs.
• Materials and surface processes: Exploring techniques such as fabric dyeing and other material studies.
• Visual and drawing skills: Developing figure drawing and other graphic skills essential for costume development.
• Theatre context: Understanding dramatic literature and theatre history to enhance interpretation and collaboration.
• Production and management: Gaining skills in planning, coordinating, and communicating effectively within a production setting.

Example course topics

• Costume Production
• Costume Design
• History of Costume
• Fabric Dyeing
• Figure Drawing
• Scene Design

Production component: Students will actively participate in departmental productions, receiving ongoing feedback and guidance to achieve professional-quality results.

Entry requirements

Admission to the Costume Production program at Boston University is determined by evaluating a combination of academic qualifications and application materials. There is no specific minimum GPA or standardized test score requirement stated for this program.

Career prospects

Graduates of the BFA in Costume Production can pursue diverse career paths in the performing arts industry, including roles as costume designers, production managers, and wardrobe supervisors. The program's comprehensive training prepares students for both creative and managerial positions within theatre, film, and television, allowing them to contribute significantly to the visual storytelling process.