Wardrobe Technician 2027

Overview  

This program provides a four-week professional immersion into the world of stage costume for dance, developing the skills needed to design, construct, and adapt costumes for a body in motion. Working in a professional environment where creativity, technical skill, movement, and collaboration come together, participants will each develop one concrete project, from initial concept through construction and fitting on a dancer.

This program runs alongside the Summer Opera 2027 residency and Properties Technician 2027 Professional Training Program, offering participants a view into how costume, properties, and production teams collaborate in a working production environment.

Description

Through hands-on workshops, exercises, demonstrations, and collaborative work, participants will explore the different stages of creating a dance costume:

• Research and development of an artistic concept 
• Design and technical drawing
• Fabric and material selection and treatment 
• Taking dancers' measurements
• Flat pattern making and draping
• Cutting and construction
• Fittings and adjustments in movement 
• Problem-solving related to the body, movement, and stage 
• Understanding budgets, production, and costume longevity

The training is enriched by the presence of industry professionals from major dance companies, with experience in costume design and pattern making, who share their expertise and guide participants throughout the creative process.

Participants will also discover the less visible aspects of the profession: costume maintenance and care, archives and inventory, dressing, quick changes, restoration, and collaboration with choreographers and production teams. The training concludes with "Open Wardrobe", a presentation of the projects developed throughout the four weeks.

Requirements

Please consider applying if one or more of the following apply to you: 

• You have chosen wardrobe as your professional path and see this training program as an opportunity to gain new skills or build on your existing experience.
• You value the expertise of the faculty and staff and are eager to learn from professionals working actively in the field.
• You are a recent graduate or graduating from a post-secondary institution and are preparing to launch a career in wardrobe; you view this practicum as an important step toward that goal.

Participants must have experience and skills with wardrobe machinery (sewing machines, sergers) and hand sewing used for costume construction. 

Strong interest in dance and dance costuming, performing arts production, film or visual arts is desired. 

Eligibility

Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date. 

Domestic and international applications are welcome.

Visa Eligibility Information: 

• Please note that Banff Centre programs do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.
• If you are accepted into our program, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted participants are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times well in advance of applying.

Inclusivity Statement

We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome.