Toneelacademie Maastricht - Theatre designer / Theatre costume designer

Theatre designer
Theatre costume designer

The programmes in Theatrical Design and Costume Design at the Maastricht Theatre Academy start with their own foundation phases. The artistic, theoretical, technical, and design projects are given by a team of leading international professionals, who are firmly based in actual practice. There are also products in which you work with students who are studying Acting, Performance and Directing. Projects to create TV programmes and technolab are also components of the foundation phase.

The two Bachelor’s degree programmes share a number of subjects, for example dramaturgy, anatomy, drawing, and painting. If they wish, students can combine the two programmes and take them concurrently.

The set and costume designs that students create are used in joint productions by the Maastricht Theatre Academy and the Maastricht Academy of Music’ opera programme. We also work with other Dutch theatres, and with theatres in Antwerp, Brussels, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Osnabrück. This not only enables us to bring students into contact with actual theatrical practice; it also allows us to bring the reality of the theatre “business” and professionalism of the various ateliers to the Academy.

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The programmes in Theatrical Design and Costume Design are full-time day-time programmes lasting 4 years. | Coordinator: Claus Stump

Lessons

THEATRICAL DESIGN
This programme focuses on design projects for scenography and film. Students work on projects and at least three times a year on the basis of a variety of stage plays, scripts, etc. The aim is for students to develop their individuality and a new language of images.

You work step-by-step on an idea or concept for a stage play, opera, or film script to produce a maquette; as far as possible, this is then actually used in a production. You are coached by a dramaturg and/or musicologist and a scenographer. A great deal of attention is paid to the presentation of your design, and we check whether you are able to put the expertise you have developed into practice.

During the final year of the programme, we work with students of Technical Theatre Arts and Production and Stage Management at the Theaterschool in Amsterdam. We also discuss the budget for your designs, their technical implementation, and their feasibility as regards actual production. Your assignment includes producing technical drawings, accompanying texts about set design, construction, implementation and production planning.

Subjects:
• design (main subject)
• dramaturgy
• text and image research
• painting (sets and from observation)
• drawing (anatomy, life drawing, perspective, and technical)
• theatre, music, and opera history
• general theory of art and history of furniture
• theatre technology, lighting, and projection technology
• computer applications
• maquette construction
• development of materials
• preparation for the profession
• Specific subjects concerning new media are constantly under development.

COSTUME DESIGN

This programme focuses on the costume design projects. This main subject is given at least three times a year on the basis of varying projects.

The aim is for students to develop their individuality and a new language of images. You work step-by-step on an idea or concept for a stage play, opera, or ballet under the supervision of a dramaturg and/or musicologist and a costume designer.

Some or all of your costume designs will ultimately be used in an actual production. A great deal of attention is paid to the presentation of your design, and we check whether you are able to put the expertise you have developed into practice.

Subjects:
• design (main subject) • dramaturgy • text and image research • painting and drawing (anatomy and life drawing) • theatre, music, and opera history • general theory of art and history of costume • pattern drawing and cutting • design of hats, shoes, and accessories • makeup • knowledge of textiles • development of textiles and materials • lighting, and projection technology • computer applications • preparation for the profession • Specific subjects concerning new media are constantly under development.

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Structure

Foundation phase
The first year of the programme focuses on developing your expressive and theoretical abilities. You are also given information about the available follow-up programmes. In addition to two-dimensional (flat), three-dimensional (space), and four-dimensional (space plus time) design, the foundation phase comprises a programme in art theory (history of art, art criticism, and cultural criticism). There will be a study trip, excursions, and guest lectures to keep you up to date with current developments in the visual arts and design.

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