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Theatre Arts: Costuming Certificate Theatre Arts & Fashion Total Units: 32
A newer version of this program is available. View the latest version here.

Catalog rights may apply, see a counselor for more information.

Term Effective: Fall 2017

Description:

The Theatre Arts: Costuming Certificate of Achievement prepares students for entry level and apprentice employment as professional costume shop assistants, wardrobe supervisors, cutter/drapers, first hands, dyers/painters, dressers, and costume crafts positions in the stage, film or television environments. The program provides a hands-on approach to the study of equipment, terminology, and technical skills required to create costumes for dramatic productions. It includes an understanding of basic drawing, patterning, draping, and construction techniques necessary for realizing a costume design.

In addition, this program prepares students wishing to pursue a career in costume design with a solid foundation in all aspects of costuming. Depending on natural talent and industry needs, students can enter the industry as a costume design intern or free-lance designer directly from this program. However, most certificate students wishing to pursue professional design careers must continue to build their resumes through substantial work experience, and will likely pursue additional training through private design schools or four-year university programs. The Theatre Arts: Costuming Certificate of Achievement provides students with the basic skills and techniques necessary to successfully start that career path. Certificate students who also wish to pursue an Associate of Arts degree and/or four-year degree are encouraged to meet with a counselor.

The job prospects in this field are great for entry-level positions and free-lance designers. Apprenticeships and other entry-level positions are usually seasonal. Theatre costume personnel are in great demand and securing an entry-level position will build the individual's resume and contacts. Students wishing to advance in the field must be willing to work long hours during peak seasonal times. A strong resume and references will lead to a well-paid position with an established theatre company, costume house, or a lucrative career as a free-lance artist in theatre, opera, television or film that features competitive salaries and creative satisfaction.

The Theatre Arts certificate training programs are unique in that they offer five areas of emphasis: Acting, Costuming, Makeup, Stagecraft, and Theatre Management. These one to two-year intensive vocational training programs examine, through lecture, demonstration, and application, the tools and techniques required to succeed in professional theatre and related entertainment industry positions. Introductory and advanced courses are designed to familiarize the student with the theory and practice of theatrical production while participating in a 5-show production oriented program.

At the heart of the certificate curriculum is a collaborative relationship between faculty, staff, guest artists, and students that helps students develop while producing professional quality theatre. Courses cover a broad spectrum of related disciplines to further enrich the learning experience and provide a strong foundation of knowledge. Students are also instructed in the basics of self-marketing as well as audition, interview, resume and portfolio preparation and presentation.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  1. Work effectively with common materials, equipment, and techniques when constructing theatrical costumes and accessories;
  2. Apply fundamental techniques of wardrobe management when participating in the backstage functions of a performance;
  3. Demonstrate basic skills in one or more of the following areas of specialization:
  • wardrobe maintenance
  • safe application and use of shop equipment and tools
  • fabric composition and modification
  • draping
  • flat pattern drafting and manipulation
  • costume construction and dressmaker details
  • fittings and alterations
  • millinery techniques
  • understructures
  • tailoring techniques
  • footwear
  • masks
  • armor
  • jewelry
  • makeup and hair design;
  1. Work collaboratively with other theater professionals and contribute basic artistic knowledge of Costume and Makeup Design;
  2. Integrate knowledge of theatre history and literature when constructing theatrical elements; and
  3. Perform for the stage at a beginning level using fundamental techniques of voice, movement, and the actor's craft.

Program Requirements:

The requirements for the Theatre Arts: Costuming Certificate program are:

  • Complete 32 units from
    • Theatre Arts Core Requirements
    • Costuming Emphasis Requirements

Theatre Arts Core Requirements - complete 6.00 units
THAR 1World Theatre Through Time3.00
THAR 10AIntroduction to Acting3.00
 
Costuming Emphasis Requirements - complete 26.00 units
THAR 21AIntroduction to Costume Tech3.00
THAR 22Theatrical Makeup Design for Stage and Screen2.00
THAR 24Introduction to the Design Process3.00
THAR 25.1Production Lab: Costume Crew1.50
THAR 25.4Production Lab: Makeup Crew1.50
Complete any combination totaling at least 9.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
THAR 21BCostume Technology II3.00
THAR 22.1Special Effects Makeup, Wigs, and Masks2.00
THAR 25.1Production Lab: Costume Crew1.50-3.00
THAR 25.5Production Lab: Construction0.50-3.00
THAR 27Properties Workshop2.00
THAR 28Introduction to Costume Design3.00
THAR 121.1Stage Costuming: Introduction to Historical Draping3.00
THAR 121.2Stage Costuming: Introduction to Millinery3.00
THAR 121.3Stage Costuming: Period Corset Construction3.00
THAR 121.4Stage Costuming: Tailoring Techniques3.00
Complete any combination totaling at least 6.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
THAR 22.2Special Effects Makeup, Wigs, and Masks II2.00
THAR 25Production Lab: General1.00-3.00
THAR 25.4Production Lab: Makeup Crew1.50-3.00
THAR 127.4Properties Workshop: Weaponry and Specialty Items2.00

Term Effective: Fall 2017

The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.

Term Inactive: Fall 2022

Previous Versions:

Theatre Arts: Costuming - effective Fall 2016
Theatre Arts: Costuming - effective Fall 2010
Theatre Arts: Costuming - effective Fall 2008
Theatre Arts: Costuming - effective Fall 1981

Course Prerequisites and Advisories:

Courses in a program of study may have prerequisites or advisories; that is, courses that must or should be completed before taking that course. Please check for prerequisites or advisories by clicking on the course numbers in the Program Requirements section.

It is important that students who are completing an Associate Degree and desire to transfer to a four-year institution meet with a counselor to plan their lower division coursework. While many majors at SRJC are intended to align with lower division major preparation required by California public universities, specific lower-division major requirements vary among individual campuses. See a counselor, visit the Transfer Center, and check Guides For Transfer in Specific Majors, and ASSIST to review transfer preparation guides for specific schools and majors.

Notes:

  1. All students enrolled in the certificate program will be assigned a faculty advisor who will meet with them regularly to monitor progress.
  2. All courses in the THAR 25 series (THAR 25.1, 25.4, 25.5) are variable unit courses; each course may be taken up to four times. The type of position and number of productions a student will work on during a semester determines the number of units.

    These courses are also corequisites for THAR 20, 21A, 22, and 22.1. Certificate students planning to take these courses are encouraged to contact the Theatre Arts department chair prior to registration.

Contact
Information
Phone Email Website
(707) 527-4268
ctrivett@santarosa.edu
Theatre Arts & Fashion