Costume Design
Significant production opportunities challenge and inspire while helping students build a body of work and prepare for career success.
The Stephens College B.F.A. in Costume Design develops professionals who are prepared to take on their next role — whether that is a position with a major national or regional theater company, fashion design firm, a competitive apprenticeship or fellowship, or prestigious M.F.A. program.
Program Features
- Accelerated B.F.A. program — three years/two summers (eight-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 Performing Arts 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.”
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Four multi-award-nominated Broadway performers will teach virtual master classes for Stephens students this April. Students who are considering Stephens, along with alumnae and other members of the Stephens community, are invited to attend and observe.
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pmLocation: Online -
Four multi-award-nominated Broadway performers will teach virtual master classes for Stephens students this April. Students who are considering Stephens, along with alumnae and other members of the Stephens community, are invited to attend and observe.
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pmLocation: Online -
Four multi-award-nominated Broadway performers will teach virtual master classes for Stephens students this April. Students who are considering Stephens, along with alumnae and other members of the Stephens community, are invited to attend and observe.
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pmLocation: Online
Application and Portfolio Submission
A portfolio submission is required for the B.F.A. in Costume Design program.
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. Producing 13 shows in 10 weeks, 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 program offers significant cross-disciplinary opportunities to study in Stephens’ renowned Fashion Design program. The 75-year program is ranked among the “Best Fashion Schools in the World” by Business of Fashion, London and is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
The College also maintains a historical costume archive of 400,000+ pieces available for study.
Performing Arts
Administrative Assistant