Costume Design M.F.A.

Build an extensive + diverse costume design portfolio

Our M.F.A. in Costume Design combines diverse opportunities for realized design work and a strong curriculum as the foundation for its training. Curriculum and practice focus on collaboration, analysis, drawing, painting, aesthetics, craft technology and costume history with a social history component.

Taught by working professionals, the Costume Design curriculum offers intensive training in both studio and classroom settings, coupled with one-on-one tutorials with the student’s major professor. There is also the option of a study-abroad course in London as part of the curriculum, offered at graduate level credit.

Learn more about requirements in our Student Portal

M.F.A. in Costume Design Curriculum

Program details

The M.F.A. is a sixty-hour curriculum including costume design and some technology courses; two semesters of rendering, drawing and media; script analysis for design research, and collaboration; two semesters of intensive costume history; and advanced aesthetics for costuming, including ballet and opera. Students are encouraged to participate in the study abroad course in London. The goal of the program is to prepare you for participation in professional theatre and associated disciplines.

Our costume design students are assigned at least four productions during their tenure in the program and at least one contemporary dance piece. One production in the third year will be designated as the M.F.A. thesis project and will include written documentation and formal presentation to the faculty.

You may also select secondary electives in scenic or lighting design or more advanced costume technology courses. Our students have occasionally had the opportunity to select courses in the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design or other departments on campus.

*Twelfth Night* rendering by Rachel Saylor ('21)

*Bonnets* rendering by Erin Barnett ('21)

Career preparation

You will complete the three-year M.F.A. degree program with an extensive and diverse portfolio of realized designs as well as project work in all genres of theatre, including opera and ballet. You will also demonstrate a comprehensive portfolio of skills in millinery, masks, tailoring, and rendering. Our graduates will be well prepared for a career in the professional or academic environment.

Our program emphasizes the development of the following skills: productive methods of research, effective collaborative and communication, and a mature professional process. It fosters a rich understanding of the breadth and depth of costume design, both historical and current.

Our M.F.A. graduates in Costume Design are employed in major companies across the country, including Washington Opera, Utah Opera, Indiana Repertory Theatre, San Francisco Opera, Illinois Shakespeare, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Santa Fe Opera. Graduates at academic institutions include schools such as State University of New York Fredonia, Kutztown University, and the University of Florida.

Katie Cowan Sickmeier, visiting professor of Costume Design

Katie Cowan Sickmeier is a native Cincinnatian and naturalized Hoosier. She earned her undergraduate degree in Theatre Design at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. After USC, Katie spent three years at the Indiana Repertory Theatre until she departed for her graduate studies in Costume Design at Indiana University. During her career, Katie has held various costume design, costume technology, shop management, and wardrobe roles at companies including American Players Theatre, Indiana Festival Theatre, Santa Fe Opera, PCPA Theaterfest, and Center Theatre Group. She was the assistant costume designer for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Celebration for eight years. Katie is currently the Costume Coordinator and Upper School Costume Designer for Park Tudor School in Indianapolis.

Design credits for Indiana University: Little Women, Three Sisters, Persuasion, M. Butterfly, The Matchmaker, Much Ado about Nothing, Intimate Apparel, Richard III, Cabaret, The Three Musketeers, and How I Learned to Drive

Other design credits: The Big Bang, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street remounted with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, A Comedy of Tenors, It Shoulda Been You, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 2016, The Fantasticks, My Fair Lady (Actors Theatre of Indiana) and Bridge & Tunnel (IRT).

Linda Pisano, professor and chair of IU Theatre & Dance

Linda Pisano is an award-winning costume designer who heads the Costume M.F.A. Program and directs our department’s study abroad program in London. A member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829, Linda’s work has covered a broad range of theatre, dance, musical theatre, ballet and opera throughout the United States. Her work has been featured in the Quadrennial World Design Expo in Prague and the World Stage Design exhibition.

Several of Pisano’s ballet designs continue to tour through Canada, England and the U.S. She serves on the Board of Directors of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, regularly presents and publishes, and holds membership in USITT, ATINER, The Costume Society of America, and the Costume Society of Great Britain.

Linda Pisano, Professor and Chair of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance

Admission

You are admitted to the program after proving competency as shown by your portfolio, statement of goals, and required interview. The Design and Technology Faculty Committee selects candidates based on judgments of portfolio, writing quality, and professional potential.

Learn how to apply

Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance

Costume Design M.F.A.

Build an extensive + diverse costume design portfolio

Program details

Career preparation

Katie Cowan Sickmeier, visiting professor of Costume Design

Linda Pisano, professor and chair of IU Theatre & Dance

Admission

Interested in learning more about our Design and Technology M.F.As?

The College of Arts & Sciences

Costume Design M.F.A.

Build an extensive + diverse costume design portfolio

Program details

Career preparation

Katie Cowan Sickmeier, visiting professor of Costume Design

Linda Pisano, professor and chair of IU Theatre & Dance

Admission

Interested in learning more about our Design and Technology M.F.As?

Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance social media channels

The College of Arts & Sciences