Finish BFA in current school then MFA or not?

nyahnyah
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:03:54 +0000

What does a technical degree involve? The issue I’ve seen with one student that started in fashion and wanted to go into costuming was that when he wanted to go on and get his masters, the major concern that the schools who interviewed him had was that he had very, very little theatre experience. You need to be absolutely determined to go into theatre if you’re going to do it, because experience is what will make or break you. If you’re going to go into costuming, definitely take the time after your BFA to take jobs and get experience - there is so, so much you won’t learn without being in that environment. Do summer stock, and get a position with a regional theatre in their shop if you can help it, either as an assistant or a first hand, or even a stitcher. It will make a big difference when you apply to grad schools for you to have a more fleshed-out resume.

My friends and I discuss this a lot, so I’m going to be honest - turn back now if you hope/expect to make a lot of money right away. You’d be very lucky to get a couple hundred bucks on your first show, and who knows when the next one will even come along! You will spend a looong time being poor, and even then, there are complications even when you are in the design union, if/when you get that far. I knew a designer who was in her mid-30’s at the time and had a show go on an international tour, and yet still owed the government $10,000 because she didn’t have the taxes taken out. She was devastated, to say the least. If you really can’t imagine yourself doing any other work in life, go for it, and give it everything you have. If you can be happy with something else, consider it very thoroughly. A friend of a friend once told me “to make it in this industry, marry rich!” It’s still “women’s work” and is paid accordingly.

What do designers do between shows? Often, they run wardrobe, doing quick changes and maintaining costumes on other performances. This is a good way to get your name in with theatres sometimes, though it’s no guarantee.

My general sense is that Rutgers is the more well-known school for costuming, versus Purchase, that is. NYU would be great, but believe me, I understand about the financial end. I was accepted at Carnegie Mellon…and then I found out the price tag.

So, that’s my very disillusioned take on everything. Keep in mind, I’m a technician and not a designer, but I’ve seen a bit at this point. I work at a regional theatre and have a few designing friends that I’ve seen the struggles of.

Again, if you can’t imagine yourself doing anything else, go for it, and don’t look back! We all try now and again to get hired in more normal jobs to make extra cash and it rarely works out :)