I'm looking for an MFA program in Costume Design, and can you give me advice on costuming Salome?

Hi my name is Monica hart and i a slave to the theatre (this is where you respond with hello Monica--like AA). I am an exchange student from the University of Montana to Deakin University. Maybe you know my friend Elise? She talks about UAF all the time. She said you were quite the costume designer, so I checked you out on the web. Ok, I like your stuff. So how come the UAF doesn't have a MFA in costume design? What if I were sick enough to want to want an MFA and at UAF--I'd be screwed! I am, however, looking for a MFA program in costume design can you recommend one? I know I should go to USITT and sell myself, but I want to take a year off and just work. Another question--I'm designing Strauss' Salome and I was wondering if you had any suggestions on anything about Salome herself. I like what I've done with everyone else's (stereotypical bible stuff) costume, but she's giving me fits! any suggestions? it's all on paper nothing gets realized. thanks. Monica p.s. i love cats--and yours is so adorable! hi shoelace!

Hi my name is monica and i a slave to the theatre (this is where you respond with hello monica--like AA).

Hello Monica!

I am an exchange student from the University of Montana to Deakin University. Maybe you know my friend Elise?

Elise who? (this is a joke-yes I do know her)

She talks about UAF all the time. She said you were quite the costume designer, so I checked you out on the web. Ok, I like your stuff.

Thanks

So how come the UAF doesn't have a MFA in costume design?

Because we have four faculty and no funding, and we can't even get proper accreditation for a BA in theatre without at least four more, plus lots of other stuff the evil administrators won't give us.

What if I were sick enough to want to want an MFA and at UAF--I'd be screwed!

Join the club! Why do you think Elise went elsewhere, despite liking us? The situation here keeps devolving due to legislative budget cuts.

I am, however, looking for a MFA program in costume design can you recommend one?

CalArts is supposed to be one of the best (I'm applying there for a job for that reason), so are Yale (for the moneyed), and NYU for the NewYorkish. However, I tend to like small schools for BA/BFA's, Mid size schools for MA/MFA's, and Really big schools for getting Ph.D.'s. The most important criteria is whether the school regards your training, and you, as important, or just so much cannon fodder to produce their shows. Some very unfamous, and cheap schools do a great job, simply because the Theatre department takes it's graduate student's seriously. This varies from year to year even in specific departments, so it's good to ask recent students at USITT, what they think of their programs.

I know I should go to USITT and sell myself,

USITT is good, but the real place to sell yourself to a grad school is at URTA'S (University and Resident Theatre Association)

but I want to take a year off and just work.

Go to the bookmark section of my site, and look under job opportunities, where I have links to internships at theatres. Also, GET ARTSEARCH from whoever has it at your school, and try to get an internship. This is both work and student status, so you won't lose your ability to get into URTA's next year by losing student status.

Another question--I'm designing Strauss' Salome and I was wondering if you had any suggestions on anything about Salome herself. I like what I've done with everyone else's (stereotypical bible stuff) costume, but she's giving me fits! any suggestions? it's all on paper nothing gets realized.

Your fits are coming with your stereotypical bible stuff having a lousy track record with sexiness. I'm not sure that stereotype is the best way to go, however, having done so, I'd look to the sort of Victorian "cooch" dancer stuff that the original English production did in conjunction with that same stereotypical bible stuff, or, barring that, look up middle eastern dance costume (stuff is on the internet), since it is probably closest to accurate costume for her. Personally I've always seen it like an 1890's European Court picnic/garden party, with white iron lawn furniture, white linen costumes, parasols, and lots of food everyone is stuffing into their faces as they sprawl on picnic blankets, Renoir fashion, seething with suppressed sex. The whole thing should suggest an orgy that never quite happens--It's Salome's open acknowledgement of sexual desire by kissing John's head, that gets her killed by the hypocrisy of Herod and his court.

thanks.

You're welcome.

monica p.s. i love cats--and yours is so adorable! hi shoelace!

"Greetings, oh wise, cat worshiping human!"---Shoelace

So long. ---Tara

thank you Tara! it was wonderful to here from you. your advice on Salome and URTA's was great I will follow it. just by reading it I've started thinking of things to do and sights to visit. you're the best. if you don't mind I'd like to continue writing to you and shoelace. thanks again. from one cat lover to another--b bye. Monica