Theater Operations Costume Shop at Duke University supports theater within a liberal arts framework. The goal is to develop skills and attitudes that would further education or professional direction while providing costumes of quality for various productions in one of seven theater facilities.

Concurrently, the students are introduced to a variety of information including but not limited to sewing, both hand and machine, crafts, millinery, pattern drafting and costume history. The students are encouraged to explore areas of interest as production responsibilities, personal experience and chosen course work point the way. Given that our shop is small, we have the flexibility to focus a production concept to where the education of the students needs to be directed.

We construct costumes, rent and borrow thus allowing students to explore crafts, millinery or whatever the production requires. At various times during the year, professional companies come to perform at Duke and utilize the costume shop to produce their costumes, or serve as wardrobe support, providing many students an opportunity to work along side professionals. The theater students may also serve as crews for supporting the Duke Broadway Series working in the professional environment of the roadhouse.

Staffing for the costume shop is one full time costumer with a professional and educational background. Work study students and crew assignments make up the base labor force. Outside professional over hire is available on a needed basis. Professional Costume Designers are hired from outside the university for two large faculty directed student productions, one in the fall and one in the spring. Many workshops and other types of productions provide interested students with opportunities to design, direct, act, or pursue a chosen current interest.

Contact the Costume Shop:
Kay Webb
Costume Shop Manager
Rm. 012 Bryan Center
Box 90848
Durham, NC 27708
Phone: 919-660-1704
Fax: 919-660-1779
E-mail: kay.webb@duke.edu