Graduate Certificate in Costume Production Fanshawe College - London Downtown Campus, Canada

This three term Ontario Graduate Certificate program will build upon students existing Fashion Design and/or Theatre skills and prepare them for working in a wardrobe department for the entertainment industry. Students learn both the technical and creative aspects of costuming for theatre through components of classroom theory, studio training and practical work placement. Advanced classroom studies in theatre history, wardrobe planning and script analysis serve as the foundation for the focused practical training in technical costume cutting and construction.

The curriculum is designed to provide technical study and hands-on experience of building costumes. The program offers students the unique opportunity to work in collaboration with industry professionals within actual theatre wardrobe settings during their field placement. This program is supported by affiliations with The Stratford Festival, The Shaw Festival, The Banff Centre of the Arts, The Grand Theatre London, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET).

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to

• Develop and create costumes that express character, through the application of knowledge of the history of theatre and costume.
• Plan the development, creation, and maintenance of all aspects of costuming with respect to the organizational, logistical and financial factors involved in wardrobe.
• Analyze scripts in order to make costume development, creation and maintenance decisions.
• Communicate costume development concepts to a varied audience using a variety of visual media, including life drawing, illustration and/or wardrobe development.
• Create a technical translation of a costume illustration, using pattern making, draping, fitting and tailoring techniques that fulfill the director/designer's vision.
• Construct costumes and costume accessories that meet the specialized needs of various productions.
• Prepare, modify, decorate, and care for fabrics and costumes, based on a thorough knowledge of textile characteristics.
• Fulfill the responsibilities of a production team member in the complex world of live entertainment by applying excellent communication, interpersonal, critical thinking, problem solving, and time/ project management skills.