The University of North Texas Department of Dance and Theatre offers a variety of Costume Classes, including (but not limited to):

  • Costume I (THEA 1043)
  • Theatrical Makeup (THEA 2380)
  • History of Theatrical Costume and Decor (THEA 3070)
  • Costume II (THEA 3143)
  • Costume Design (THEA 4143)

Here at UNT, we currently have the courses Costume I, Costume II, and Costume Design available for students to take during their time in the Department of Dance and Theatre.

Costume I is an introductory course to the many facets of costumes. We work through the process of producing a costume design for a production. We learn basic hand sewing and machine sewing techniques and their applications. We briefly discuss fashion history and how to wear costumes from various periods. We practice skills for serving on a backstage wardrobe crew during a production including steaming, tying ties and wig prep. We also discuss the variety of career paths within the costume world. The class typically ends with a sewing project such as a pair of pajama pants that the students pattern using their own measurements. This is a great class for any theatre artist, because these skills and information will be assets to their career.

Costume II is an expansion on the techniques used in making costumes for a performance. We learn more advanced sewing applications such as putting in zippers and pockets. We also dive into draping and patterning clothes. We work through several projects; including draping historical garments and building a costume based on a costume rendering. If you enjoy working with your hands and are interested in furthering your sewing abilities, this is a fun and enlightening class to take.

Costume Design is for the students interested in telling stories and finding characters in the clothes the wear. We work through several different types of live performance; including dance, opera, musicals, and plays. We explore different sources of inspiration and historical research. Students develop their drawing and painting skills to create costume renderings and we dive into digital rendering as well. If you find why people wear what they wear interesting, then this class will be one to take!