Course Outline
The Academy is excited to announce that 2008 will be the first year that students can enrol on this two year diploma in theatre costume. Previously a four term specialist certificate, the course now enables students to study theatre costume in more detail and to gain a diploma level qualification on graduation. The course covers all areas of costume, organisational and managerial skills, budget control and ordering, and will prepare you fully for a career within the entertainment industry in costume making and wardrobe supervision. Throughout your training, you will gain an understanding of the employment framework of costume/wardrobe departments within theatre and related industries. Your training will provide you with all the skills you need to take on the role of Costume Supervisor on the Academy’s public productions, where you will work with professional directors and designers.

The training covers:
• role of Costume Supervisor on RADA productions
• period costume and costume props
• pattern cutting - flat and stand
• corset making
• fabric sampling
• costume construction
• wig and hair maintenance and make up
• fabric and costume dying
• basic prop making and millinery skills
• interpretation of costume drawings
• up to six weeks professional attachment In your final term, your project work will be exhibited, giving you the opportunity to talk about your work with an invited group of industry contacts.

Graduates have gone on to become freelance dressmakers and wardrobe supervisors, set and costume designers and costume makers for corporate events.

For general information on entry requirementsand admissions, click here

Entry Requirements
• Textile, Dress or Fashion A level; practical and theoretical knowledge of basic sewing skills, including pattern cutting

Admissions
• Intake of up to four students in September each year
• You will be asked to bring a portfolio and samples of previous work to your interview

“MY WORK AT RADA IS VARIED…I TEACH HISTORY OF COSTUME AND PROPS TO THE STUDENTS AS A CLASS, SUPERVISING, MEASURING, FITTING AND DRESSING ALONG WITH OTHER WARDROBE SKILLS IN SMALL GROUPS AND MANY MORE SKILLS ON A SUPERVISORY AND ONE TO ONE BASIS AS WE PREPARE FOR THE MANY PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AT RADA. THEREARE ALSO FIRST AND SECOND YEAR IN-HOUSE PRESENTATIONS”
DIANE FAVELL, HEAD OF COSTUME