Costume Design
Significant production opportunities challenge and inspire while helping students build a body of work and prepare for career success.
A BFA in Costume Design prepares graduates for their next role with a major national or regional theater company, fashion design firm, a competitive apprenticeship or fellowship, or prestigious MFA program.
Application and Portfolio Submission
A portfolio submission is required for the BFA in Costume Design program.
Learn about the portfolio submission process >
Program Features
- Accelerated BFA program — 3 years/2 summers (8-semester program).
- Collaborations with students in Technical Theatre and Stage Management, Fashion Design and Digital Filmmaking programs — for comprehensive learning experience.
- Varied production schedule across a wide range of styles and genres.
- Significant schedule of nationally and regionally recognized guest actors, directors and designers.
Career Preparation
- The program emphasizes career preparation; students receive personalized feedback from mentors and advisers starting their first semester.
- The program features two summer intensives at Stephens’ Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST), a professional summer stock theatre company. OST offers an extensive production schedule.
Faculty + Staff
Meet the Conservatory Faculty + Staff >
Stephens College allowed me to focus on what I knew I wanted. They gave me the training that has helped me through my entire career. The faculty and staff have always been a source of knowledge and inspiration for me that I will never stop being grateful for.”
Costume Design at Stephens
Students start working in their major from their first semester and are challenged with immersive workshops, master classes, technical coursework and focused instruction.
Stephens offers significant production opportunities across many different genres. Students get involved from their very first semester.
Creative. Comprehensive. Collaborative. Our small class sizes and interdisciplinary department mean you’ll work with other performing arts students in a real-world working environment.
Students typically spend two intensive seasons as part of Okoboji Summer Theatre company, Stephens’ professional summer stock theatre company in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Students work with professional costume designers and guest artists on a wide range of productions.
Students also hone their sewing, cutting and design abilities.
The College also maintains a historical costume archive of 400,000+ pieces available for study.
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Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre, Jamey Grisham, was recently elected to represent the Central Region Board for Actors' Equity as a Principal Delegate for the next four years. The Central Region Board includes the states of Arkansas, Illinois…
Lisa Brescia, Associate Professor of Acting, has just returned from playing the role of Heidi Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward Theatre in London's prestigious West End. Brescia has now played the role on Broadway, on the Broadway National…
Almost, Maine won two awards at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region 5. The cast of Almost, Maine won a commendation for achievement in Ensemble Performance. AJ Hansen won a commendation for achievement in Scenic Design. The…
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