UNCSA costume design program is among the top 10 of its kind
The costume design program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is among the top 10 of its kind, according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR). This is the second year in a row that the program, one of 16 areas of study housed in the School of Design and Production, was recognized by THR.
THR’s list, published in its Feb. 13 issue, included nine schools in the United States and one in London; the magazine consulted with leading costume designers and professors for a breakdown of the best schools for film and TV costume design.
“It’s quite an honor to be recognized by a leading industry publication like The Hollywood Reporter,” said Chancellor Lindsay Bierman. “I’m thrilled for the faculty, students and alumni of our costume design program. Their painstaking work and extraordinary creativity bring stories and characters to life on stages and screens across the world.”
D&P Dean Michael Kelley said the acknowledgment is welcome recognition for the faculty and alumni who have shaped the costume design program. “We have six decades of alumni working in the industry as top-notch professionals,” he said. “Our resident faculty continue to work in the contemporary arts world, and we bring in guest artists to complement them. It allows us to stay nimble and current.”
I’m thrilled for the faculty, students and alumni of our costume design program. Their painstaking work and extraordinary creativity bring stories and characters to life on stages and screens across the world.
Chancellor Lindsay Bierman
Current faculty include Bill Brewer, who has designed numerous projects for PBS and was a designer for Lucasfilm, in addition to many stage productions; Pam Knourek, whose television and film credits include “Field of Dreams,” “Sleeping With the Enemy,” “House of Cards” and “Betsy’s Wedding”; alumnus Michael Sharpe, who was assistant costume designer on television shows “Iron Fist,” “Luke Cage” and “Jessica Jones”; and alumna Kjersten Lester-Moratzka, who teaches costume technology and has experience as a principal draper for Santa Fe Opera and as a freelance draper for a the Metropolitan Opera and Broadway productions.
The THR article touted alumnae Stef Maus (“Madam Secretary”) and Margaret Robbs (“The Romanoffs”).
Other notable costume alumni working in film and television include Paul Tazewell, of the upcoming “Harriet” (the story of Harriet Tubman), NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” HBO’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” and the Broadway smash “Hamilton”; and Elisa Richards, assistant costume designer for feature films “Mile 22” and “Come Sunday.”
In October 2018, THR recognized UNCSA as one of the top 10 schools in the world for production design training programs. And in August 2018, national theater blog OnStage ranked D&P third in the nation in theater design and tech programs.
February 20, 2019