Costume Design

About the Program

The Costume Design program provides practical, professional training that encourages students to explore a wide range of entertainment fields, including theatre, musical theatre, opera, film, dance, themed entertainment, and special event design. UC Irvine’s proximity to Los Angeles offers access to extensive costume resources, including materials, suppliers, rental houses, and research venues, as well as valuable professional connections.

The program prepares graduates for employment by emphasizing costume design as both a fine art and a project management discipline. Students are trained to work with imagination and intention, translating creative vision into realized designs that bring characters and stories to life with cultural and historical awareness. Emphasis is placed on leadership, collaboration, and clear communication within creative teams.

To ensure individualized mentorship, only two students are admitted each year, with a total cohort of six Costume Design graduate students. Each student designs two to three fully supported productions and participates in additional opportunities such as workshops, dance concerts, directing class projects, and M.F.A. thesis films during the three-year program.

Bridge Project

The Costume Design Bridge Project connects current M.F.A. students with professionals working in the entertainment industry. Each project is led by a guest artist who designs and facilitates a focused project addressing current practices or challenges within the field.

Through this experience, students learn to navigate professional resources, develop effective communication skills, and meet the expectations of real-world costume design work. Each student receives detailed professional feedback that reflects contemporary industry standards and collaborative processes.

Past Bridge Projects have featured guest artists from a range of entertainment sectors, including film, themed entertainment, and commercial design, offering students insight into diverse career pathways.

How to Apply

Applicants may apply directly to the program through the online graduate application process. A current résumé and portfolio materials are required for initial consideration. Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted by faculty.

Candidates participating in the URTA National Unified Audition and Interview process may also be considered for the program and interviewed by faculty in Chicago. While application submission is not required to interview at URTA, applicants who complete an application by the stated deadline are guaranteed an interview opportunity.

Read more news about Costume Design on Professor Holly Poe Durbin's faculty blog here.