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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 (Production Crafts)
DURATION
The Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Production Crafts) is a three-year, full-time course. Each student specialises in either Costume or Properties construction.
AIM
The Production Crafts course, Costume stream, 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
The Production Crafts - Costume - course emphasises vocational skills. Skills are taught through a close integration of formal class work, practical workshop experience and assignments within the NIDA Play Production Program in their chosen area of Costume.
The Costume course trains students in the construction techniques of period costumes, corsetry, millinery, period underwear, and in the history of costume and event costumes. Students also gain an understanding of how to manage a costume department. While the core training of the course is in costume construction (both period and contemporary), students are also trained to work in many different areas of costume in the arts entertainment industry.
As production crafts specialists are responsible for planning, constructing and maintaining the properties or 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.
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 8.0 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 Production Crafts 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 Production Crafts (Costume) course, click here,
FIRST YEAR
The aim of the first year of the Costume course is to provide students with a broad knowledge of theatre in relation to contemporary society, a theoretical and practical understanding of the production of plays, as well as the basic craft skills of care of materials and manufacture of either properties and costumes for stage and screen.
Students are taught the basic technical skills which will enable them to work in the workshops and theatre with safety and efficiency. There is an intensive orientation in general knowledge of costumes . Students also complete the St John Ambulance First Aid Certificate Course and the NSW Fire Wardens' Course.
Students are allocated crew roles in the Costume Department and in the NIDA Play Production Program.
First year topics for Costume students include history of costume, construction and manufacturing techniques in millinery and costume, creative self-devised projects in different media, draping and period cutting.
First year subjects for Costume Students are Production Crafts 1, Management 1, Costume 1, Costume Construction 1, History of Theatre 1, General Studies, Play Production 1, and Professional Development 1.
SECOND YEAR
During the second year, Costume students extend their knowledge of past and contemporary practice in theatre, film and television. The theory and practice of production craft skills is studied in depth and students make costumes for NIDA productions at a higher level under the guidance of the technical and teaching staff. Costume students spend an intensive studio year learning and refining their skills as well as applying these skills to selected makes for the NIDA Play Production Program.
Second year topics for Costume students include tailoring, period costume making, millinery, finishing, management and an introduction to costume in film and television.
Second year subjects for Costume Students are Production Crafts 2, Management 2, Costume 2, Costume Construction 2, History of Theatre 2, Play Production 2, and Professional Development 2.
THIRD YEAR
During the third year, 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 work of play production. Class work is primarily concerned with the development of a systematic and fruitful research methodology.
Students undertake significant managerial, coordination and supervisory roles within the NIDA Play Production Program, where they gain practical experience of what is required of them in the industry. 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 media organisations.
Third Year Subjects for Costume Students are Production Crafts 3, Management 3, Observation and Professional Practice 3, Exhibition 3, Play Production 3, and Professional Development 3.
Title of Qualification: Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Production Crafts)
Head of Department: Nicholas Day
Head of Costume course: Fiona Reilly
Commencement Date: Tuesday 27 January 2009
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
Production Crafts (Costume) Course Information PDF
Career Snapshot of a Range of Graduates PDF
Short courses in Costume and Properties making are also available through NIDA Open Program.
CRICOS Provider Code: 00756M
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