Featuring: Maria Lenn (Costume Design/Technology MFA Graduate Student)

What drew you to CCMs MFA program?

A couple things drew me to CCM. The first and main reason is that they offer the specialization in both costume design and costume technology. It is important to me as a designer to know how a costume is built, and equally as important to me as a technician to understand how to interpret a rendering through a design perspective. Knowing and understanding both perspectives is absolutely imperative for a successful show. At CCM they not only have the option for both fields, they encourage their students to specialize in both. Every opportunity is available for a student to learn and grow as both a designer and a technician.

The second reason that drew me to CCM’s program is because of the wide range of theatre we do here. The college produces theatre from every genre including drama, musicals, opera, and dance. It is a unique opportunity to have a chance to work with all of these areas in one venue.

A third reason that I chose CCM’s MFA program is the Graduate Assistantship scholarship program that is offered. In exchange for a few hours of work in the costume shop, the university offers a full tuition waver to most of its graduate students. This allows for the students to focus on mastering their craft without a large amount of accumulated debt.

What is your favorite class at CCM?

That is a hard choice. CCM offers a really wide range of classes in both costume design and technology. Each student takes a costume design class every semester where we master our rendering skills and develop tools to understand character. Simultaneously students are in technology classes learning how to drape and pattern everything from period dresses to tutus. We are also required to take a year long class on the history of costumes where we learn both design and construction techniques for civilizations throughout time. In addition to all of these options, the program requires other classes like Digital Portfolio and Biz of the Biz that helps prepare us for life post-graduation. These classes teach us how to develop a professional image and other essential aspects like taxes and unions. But my absolute favorite class is the millinery class offered by one of our professors, Reba Senske. The final is a trip to a fancy pastry shop for tea wearing one of the hats we made in the class. It is a blast.

What are your favorite things to do in Cincinnati?

My absolute favorite thing to do in Cincinnati is eat. There are tons of different restaurants all over town that offer an amazing range of cuisines. All of them are delicious. Cincinnati also has a lot of musical artists, comedians, and theatre. Both local artists and national tours often book one of the many venues throughout the city.