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NIDA's Costume making course introduces students to the creative world of the construction techniques of period costumes, corsetry, millinery, period underwear, history of costume, event costumes as well as an understanding of managing the department. The course places strong emphasis on developing professional contacts within the theatre and film industries.
The NIDA Costume course prepares students to enter the professional world of theatre, film, television, events and related fields. The career possibilities for Costume graduates are only limited by the students' drive and imagination.
While the core training of the course is in costume construction (both period and contemporary), graduates are prepared by both the teaching and NIDA Play Production program to work in many different areas of costume in the arts and entertainment industry. This training is uderscored by its vocational base - all teachers are industry professionals and secondments and industry visits ensure that when a Costume student graduates they have already made significant contacts within the arts and entertainment industry.
Graduates of the NIDA Costume course are employed both in Australia and overseas. Their training prepares them to work in a variety of positions - some continue in the Costume construction area and can become head cutters and makers for theatre, film and television. Others choose to pursue the management side of Costume to become supervisors, buyers, stylists, wardrobe managers, film and television stand-by and many other related roles where they can put their NIDA Costume training to a practical application in opera companies, television and film studios, theatre, theme parks etc. Some specialise even further to become milliners, art finishers and other Costume artisan roles.
A career in costume can be a lifelong journey into a world of challenges, collaboration, creativity and discovery. Only the passionate need apply.
Fiona Reilly
Head of Costume
Over the period of three years Costume students develop their creative and imaginative skills through a series of projects both in class and through the NIDA Play Production Program, form inventive collaborative teams with students from other NIDA courses and make valuable contacts in the theatre and film industries. In the final year the Costume student concentrates on management and acts as Costume Supervisor for selected plays within the NIDA Play Production Program. This gives the student the opportunity to work creatively within a budget, manage the department and realise a total design concept.
To view additional information on costume making, millinery, tailoring, period cutting and draping, please download the below PDF files. You will require Acrobat reader to view.
Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Costume)
DURATION
The Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Costume) is a three-year, full-time course.
AIM
The Costume course, equips students with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes required to become a costume supervisor. The course provides technically skilled and creative students with a broad knowledge of theatre in general, a specialised theoretical and practical knowledge of play production and highly specialised vocational training in costume construction and costume related areas.
APPROACH
Skills and practice are taught through a close integration of formal class work, tutorials and practical workshop experience within the NIDA Production and Events Program.
As Costume specialists are responsible for planning, interpreting, constructing and maintaining the costumes for a stage, television or film production, the course also provides a good working knowledge of the production process, as well as a broad understanding of dramatic literature. Year one focuses on the formal teaching program. Year two balances class work in terms one, two and three with production exercises in terms two, three and four. Year three emphasises production, exploration and research, with students moving progressively closer to the conditions they will meet in the profession.
In addition to the subjects listed below students will also study the subject Costume Crafts which may be offered in year 1, year 2 or year 3 of the course.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants seeking admission must:
- have reached the age of 18 before the commencement of the course (in exceptional circumstances this may be waived)
- hold a Higher School Certificate or its equivalent from any State or Territory in Australia or overseas (in exceptional circumstances this may be waived)
- show at an interview a high level of intelligence, practical ability, artistic sense, authority, tact, potential and motivation
- be fluent in spoken and proficient in written English language (equivalent to an overall band score of 7.0 IELTS).
All subjects are compulsory. NIDA students are required to complete a confidential health questionnaire to demonstrate their medical fitness to undertake the course and to assist NIDA in its duty of care to students.
The primary criterion for admission to the Costume course is evidence of the applicant's potential for making a career in properties or costume construction in the arts entertainment industry.
For more information about applying for the Costume course, click here,
FIRST YEAR
The first year of the course provides students with a broad knowledge of theatre and costume in relation to society as well as a theoretical and practical understanding of the basic knowledge and skills related to the realisation of costumes for stage and screen. Students are taught the technical skills which will enable them to work on productions with creativity, safety and efficiency. Practical classes are taught in areas such as Period Cutting, Tailoring, Millinery and Drapery and are supported by theoretical and research classes such as Costume History and Costume Interpretation. Students work as costume crew members as part of the NIDA Production and Events Program.
First year subjects are Costume Realisation 1, Costume Studies 1, Production 1, Arts and Ideas and Performance History 1.
SECOND YEAR
In the second year of the Costume course the skill and knowledge that have been introduced in the first year are expanded on and developed. Costume students spend an intensive year learning and refining costume skills as well as applying these skills by making selected costumes for the NIDA Production and Events Program. New areas of study are introduced such as finishing, leatherwork, film and television and footwear and students also study the key elements of costume management and supervision.
Second year subjects are Costume Realisation 2, Costume Studies 2, Costume Management, Production 2 and Performance History 2
THIRD YEAR
The third year of the Costume course enables students to consolidate and refine individual work methods and skills. During the third year, great emphasis is placed on teaching students to review, extend and apply the knowledge and techniques acquired in the first two years of the course to the practical and managerial work of production. Students undertake significant managerial, coordination and supervisory roles within the NIDA Production and Event Program where they gain practical experience of what is required of them in the industry. They also make significant costumes for productions at the highest level of technique and interpretation. Class work is primarily concerned with the development of a systematic and comprehensive research methodology which results in the presentation of a major costume research project. To further the aim of preparing students to deal with the reality of careers in the entertainment industry, all students spend time seconded to performing arts or entertainment organisations.
Third year subjects are Costume Studies 3, Observation and Industry Practice and Production 3.
Title of Qualification: Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Costume)
Head of Department: Nicholas Day
Head of Costume course: Fiona Reilly
Commencement Date: Monday 1 February 2010
Age: 18+
Tuition fees: Annual tuition fees must be paid on or before the course commencement date. For more information please refer to the Fees section of the website
Location of Course: NIDA
Contact Details:
215 Anzac Parade
KENSINGTON NSW 2033
Tel: +61 2 9697 7600
Email: contact form
Applications: If you are thinking about applying for entry into the Production Crafts course, please refer to the Applications section of the website
Career Snapshot of a Range of Graduates PDF
Course Information Sheet for Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Costume) PDF
Subject Descriptions Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Costume) PDF
Short courses in Costume and Properties making are also available through NIDA Open Program.
CRICOS Provider Code: 00756M
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