This course is aimed at both costume-making and costume supervising.

Costume-making
We teach costume-making from first principles, from basic sewing skills, pattern-cutting and grading, through to the finished product. The basic sewing skills are organised in five levels:

- Hand sewing, seams, hems, fastening
- Pattern matching, tucks, cording, pleats and gathering, buttonholes, eyelets, false lacing
- Openings, bias rouleaux and piping, facings and using bias
- Fastenings (zips and fly opening)
- Pockets

Although some time is given to completing all levels, you will be expected to work on them outside teaching hours.

All these skills, as well as other maintenance and alterations, are practised throughout the course by working on all the RADA public productions as assistants. This improves work speed and gives experience in working with different fabrics and vintage costumes from our store, as well as working with professional designers and directors.

The forms of pattern-cutting we teach are flat (block), cutting on the stand, and draping – although investigation into further forms is also encouraged, such as going straight to fabric, sizing up from a grid, and taking a pattern from an existing garment. You will also learn pattern manipulation and grading throughout the course.

Some garments are taken through to completion as class projects, including corsetry, ruffs, period shirt tailoring and millinery. Others form personal projects in the second year, which are supervised, although you will be expected to work semi-independently in preparation for professional work.

Costume supervising
Costume supervising is taught in the classroom with script analysis, budget skills and communication and management skills. It is also practised, firstly with the second year BA (Hons) Acting students as part of a short Shakespeare project, which is toured around schools in the London area. You will then have the opportunity to supervise two or three RADA professional performances, or a film project.

We also provide experience of other elements of a wardrobe department. There are introductory classes in hair and make-up, wig knotting, history of costume and costume props, fabric treatments and props skills.

Why choose this course?
• Enhance your career prospects
• Become a more effective supporter of learning and share good practices in work-based learning
• Pursue a direct route to Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy if you are either employed by Rose Bruford College, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts or a staff member at an HEA affiliated institution.*
• Enhance your work through critical reflection and participation in learning communities

1 year (part-time) - 6 online study days
Term Start - October

Course Description
This part time postgraduate programme is designed for full and part-time teachers and those who support learning in Higher Education in the performing arts disciplines of theatre, drama, dance, music, lighting, scenography and the digital arts. The programme is work based. Students utilise their own specific teaching practice to reflect upon learning and teaching issues in Higher Education so it is essential in order to undertake the course that you are actually teaching or supporting students at this level.

Six online study days are scheduled throughout the year commencing with induction in October. The study days will be augmented by regular online interaction and self-directed study within your own work situations. Work- based teaching and research opportunities may be used as evidence for demonstrating the fulfilment of the programme learning outcomes.

To view some of the online resources used within this programme please refer to our Reflecting on Learning and Teaching in the Performing Arts website: http://rltperformingarts.org/

*Pursue a direct route to Fellowship of the HEA. If you are employed by Rose Bruford College, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts or a staff member at an HEA affiliated institution there will be no joining fee. If you are employed by a non-affiliated institution you are still eligible to become a Fellow, however you will be required to pay a joining fee.