Theatrical Costume Design
Numerous production opportunities challenge and inspire while helping students build a strong design portfolio and prepare for industry success.
A BFA in Theatrical Costume Design prepares graduates to go directly into the industry or to a competitive MFA program.
Application and Portfolio Submission
A portfolio submission is required for the BFA in Theatrical Costume Design program. Applications received without an accompanying portfolio will automatically be considered for the Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies BFA.
Learn about the portfolio submission process >
Program Features
- Accelerated BFA program — 3 years/2 summers (8-semester program).
- Technical Theatre and Stage Management focus on collaboration for a comprehensive learning experience.
- Varied production schedule across a wide range of styles and genres.
- Significant opportunities to work with guest actors, directors and designers.
Career Preparation
- Emphasis is placed on career preparation and personalized feedback from mentors and advisers beginning in the first semester.
- Two intensive summers are spent at The Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST), which Stephens has owned and operated since 1958.
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.