TSOA > Tech Track > Course Offerings

Instructor: Erin Slattery Black

Fundamentals of Stagecraft I: Costuming

In the first semester of Fundamentals of Stagecraft – Costuming, the students will learn basic patterning, cutting, stitching and hand finishing techniques. This is a hands on course during which each student will design and construct an individual bag of some sort. It may be a handbag, tote bag, book bag, or another type of carry-all conceived by the student. The actual product is less important than the process. Because of this, each student will be expected to challenge him or herself. By the end of September the students will have a stylish new way to tote their supplies or a hand made Christmas present for Mom!

Fundamentals of Stagecraft II: Costumes

During the first semester, the costuming section of stagecraft focused largely on patterning and stitching techniques. The expectation in the second semester is that the students have mastered these skills and are now ready to apply them in a new way. During this section, we will explore the craftier side of costumes by designing and creating “Muppet” type puppets. The students will take the skills learned while flat patterning their bags and adapt them to a three dimensional patterning process. They will practice sewing less traditional materials such as fur, fleece, foam and feathers! The skills learned through this project can be applied to prop building, mascot construction and a wide variety of costume crafts.

Costuming Special Seminar

H28.0194.001

This course will cover the basic elements of costume design and construction. It will touch briefly on a wide variety of costume related issues including character analysis, figure drawing, color theory, costume allocation, patterning and basic stitching. The students will become familiar with the vocabulary of costume design and learn to find their way around a costume shop. We will discuss various costume related resources located both in the NYU Drama department and other places in the city. The students will learn by completing a semester long project which allows them to experience first hand each phase of the costume design process. The goal of this class is not to have students master the skills of costume design or construction, but rather to introduce them to this world and give them the framework and tools with which to further explore the various elements of costume production.