ABOUT - Costume Design

In the area of costume, UMKC offers an M.F.A. degree in design and technology. A faculty of established working professionals offers a conservatory training approach that allows a personalized training to meet the individual aspirations of each student.

The candidate choosing a costume design emphasis will be prepared to compete for a position as a professional costume designer, or as an assistant in this field. The candidate choosing a costume technology emphasis will be prepared to compete for jobs as a costume shop manager, a draper, milliner, a painter/dyer, and in some cases a tailor.

The M.F.A. degree requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of approved courses to be completed with a 3.0 grade point average or better.

The three year program involves continuous work in drawing, rendering, painting, and practical costume construction skills. A minimum of 12 credits in theatre history and dramatic literature are also required for the degree.

Only those students who demonstrate satisfactory progress in the acquisition of required skills and professional discipline will be invited by the faculty to continue the following year. Production and design assignments are made each semester according to the needs, skills, interests, and progress of the students.

During the second year, design/technology students will concentrate on advanced technical courses and working in the appropriate production areas. Internship with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre is an option that allows you to work closely with major artists in accordance with your abilities and area of emphasis.

Following your second year, you will complete two semesters of residency. Your residency assignment each semester will be made with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, the Department of Theatre, or, in special situations, an outside professional or academic environment. The assignment will be determined by matching your interests and degree emphasis with the available production assignments.

Toward the end of your final semester in the program, you are required to present a final portfolio review. This portfolio review session will highlight your work, both in the classroom and in production, during your time in the M.F.A. program and reveal your growth and development from the time of your entry to your portfolio presentation.

The Costume Shop