THTR 3769 - Costume Design
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43860,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Katherine Garlick
Email: kngarlick@ysu.edu
Course Description
3769. Costume Design. Costume design for the stage through a study of script analysis, design concepts and principles, and costume rendering techniques. Prereq.: THTR 1559 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Magic Garment | Cunningham, Rebecca | 9781478638155 |
| Required | She Kills Monsters | Nguyen, Qui | 9780573705649 |
| Required | Crimes of the Heart | Henley, Beth | 9780822202509 |
| Required | Macbeth | Shakespeare, William |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Introduction & Syllabus Overview Why Costumes? What Dress Can Tell Us. | Read: Chapter 1 (Understanding Stage Costumes) |
| 8/31 | Types of Research: Evocative, Interpreting a concept, Introduction to croquis Design from Evocative Research, Intro to Colored Pencils | Read: Chapter 2 (Understanding the Play) |
| 9/7 | Introduction to the Elements & Principles of Design Elements & Principles Exercise | Read: Chapter 3 (Doing Research) |
| 9/14 | Figure Drawing & Colored Pencil Techniques | Read: Chapter 4 (The Designer’s Tools) READ: Crimes of the Heart |
| 9/21 | Script Analysis for Costumers – Line by line, Action charts, plots Crimes discussion, balancing history and design | Read: Chapter 5 (Developing the Costume) Work: Crimes plot and notes! Research! |
| 9/28 | Developing a costume, escaping the trap of first ideas Roughs & revisions | Ravenscroft Opens Oct 2 - SEE Ravenscroft Read: Chapter 6 (Rendering the Sketch) Work: Crimes roughs & research |
| 10/5 | Introduction to Watercolor (Bring supplies!) Sketchbook check-in | Ravenscroft paper due 10/11 Read: Ch. 7 (Choosing Fabrics) |
| 10/12 | Ravenscroft Design Discussion. Fabrics, swatching & design concerns |
Work: Crimes Designs READ: Macbeth |
| 10/19 | Crimes of the Heart designs & paperwork due Crimes Presentations & Critique |
READ: She Kills Monsters |
| 10/26 | Working collaboratively, the Designer & Director roles Watercolor Work, Figure Drawing work | WORK: Shakespeare Renderings |
| 11/2 | SKM discussion, project overview. Pull, buy, build? The practical demands of production | Read: Chapter 8 (Getting the Show Together) |
| 11/9 | Production schedules, the buyer’s role Innovation & reimagining stock | Clue opens 11/13 - SEE Clue! Read: Chapter 9: (Designing for Film) |
| 11/16 | Designing for film, dance, opera – similarities & differences Costume crafts – how and who? Designing for crafts | Clue paper due 11/22 Read: Chapter 10 (Preparing for a Costume Design Career) |
| 11/23 | Clue: The Musical discussion NO CLASS 11/25 – University closed | |
| 11/30 | Getting the gig – where to find one, what to do when you do Portfolios, Letters & Resumes | Complete SKM Project |
| 12/7 | Finals week, no regular class meeting. Complete final project. CLASS FINAL – PROJECTS DUE Friday, Dec 11, 8-10AM Yes, it’s early. I bring donuts. | Final project due |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.