Application Information
We recognize that everyone expresses their thoughts differently. Therefore, applicants are welcome to submit their responses to the narrative questions in the following formats and may choose a different format for each question:
- An audio or video recording; or
- A text submission.
Please ensure that all application materials are submitted by the deadline of Friday, November 21, 2025 at 10:59pm ET (please note the time zone). Late or incomplete applications may be ineligible for review. Application materials must be submitted via the TCG online portals only.
TCG acknowledges that there may be barriers for some applicants. Applications are accepted online in English; however, alternatives are possible. Program staff will help applicants navigate challenges related to language and/or technology. To request accommodation or assistance in applying, please contact Raksak Kongseng (she/they) at [email protected], preferably at least three weeks before the application deadline.
After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation email within an hour. If you don’t receive it, please check your spam folder in case it was delivered there. If you still don’t receive it, your application may not have gone through. Please contact Raksak Kongseng (she/they) at [email protected] to verify.
We strongly recommend drafting your application in a separate location where you can save it, to avoid losing your progress if the application portal doesn't automatically save your responses.
Application Materials
- Applicant, recommenders, and academic advisor information: For your convenience, we've provided a list of the application questions. Please note that this list is NOT the application form. It is designed to help applicants prepare their applications without having to switch between pages.
- Resume/CV/Bio: Applicants must upload a Resume/CV/Bio of no more than two pages via the TCG Application Portal.
- One narrative question: Describe in detail your creative process from inspiration through completion on a recent production you have designed. Give a clear sense of your approach to the production and how you worked/communicated with the director and other collaborators. Examples of artwork from this production must be included in your portfolio.
- Portfolio: Portfolio materials must be submitted via the TCG Application Portal. Hard copies will not be accepted.
- Applicants must provide materials from at least two, but no more than four projects that best represent their work.
- Examples of artwork from the narrative question must be included in your portfolio.
- Projects #3 and #4 (not required) may include examples of the applicant’s artistic work outside of costume design.
- Portfolio materials must include examples of the applicant’s hand-drawing and/or painting work for costume design.
- It is strongly suggested that portfolio materials express the creative process from inspiration through finished product. If research and source material is included, they should be shown alongside the completed design to illustrate how the process informs the result.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to include work that will fully represent their artistic practices, including 2- and 3-dimensional work in any medium (i.e. drawing, painting, figure drawing, illustration, embroidery, sculpture, pottery, photography, etc.).
- Applicants may submit materials from a project that has not yet been produced, however at least one project must have been fully realized.
- Applicants should arrange their materials in the order in which they should be viewed by the panel.
- Each costume design example should be clearly labeled with the textile description, character, production and producer (which may be a theatre, organization, or educational institution).
- If advancing to the next round;
- Six additional narrative questions: You must submit narrative responses, each with a word limit varying from 200 - 300 words. You may choose to submit your responses in different formats (audio, video, or text):
- What inspired you to become a costume designer? What subsequent influences, theatrical or otherwise, have influenced your artistic vision?
- When designing for theatre, how do you define your role as the costume designer?
- What specific skills do you wish to develop and improve through additional training? How will the proposed scholarship activities differ from the training you are/have been undergoing as part of your required curriculum at your college, university, or training program?
- List your proposed scholarship activities and mention specific artists, training programs, organizations and/or institutions, including locations and start and end dates, that could provide the training you need. Indicate whether you chose them based on personal knowledge or reputation.
- To the best of your knowledge, itemize all expense amounts (such as tuition, registration fees, supplies, travel, etc.).
- The response to this question must be in text format only.
- Describe your commitment to working as a costume designer in the not-for-profit professional theatre field in the US.
- Two recommendations: Applicants who progress to the next round must have two recommendations submitted to TCG on their behalf. The recommenders should be familiar with the applicant’s work and must be available to submit their recommendations directly to TCG. The TCG Portal For Recommenders will be provided directly to the recommenders by TCG.
- Support from an academic advisor: Applicants will also be required to identify an academic advisor at their college, university, or training program who is in support of their proposed scholarship activities and can support the applicant in balancing their scholarship activities and required curriculum at their college, university, or training program. The academic advisor should be knowledgeable and actively involved in the applicant's development trajectory as a costume designer. The academic advisor will not need to submit a recommendation. They will only need to confirm their support for the applicant’s proposed scholarship activities. The TCG Portal For Academic Advisors will be provided directly to the academic advisors by TCG.
- Please note that while an academic advisor can also act as a recommender, TCG advises choosing different individuals for each role as having multiple voices can offer a broader range of perspectives to highlight the applicant's strengths.