Katie Dowse

Katie Dowse, assistant professor, is a Costume Designer and Maker with credits spanning three continents, two hemispheres, and five time zones. She was born in England, but has since lived on both coasts of the U.S. as well as Australia. She received her BA with a double major in Theatre Design and Environment & Ecology, and her MFA in Theatre Design with an emphasis in costumes from Temple University. Her professional experience includes a decade of freelance design, two West Coast premiers, managing the costume shop at Maine State Music Theatre and Centre REP, running the events costume department at Theme Traders in London, teaching as the visiting professor of costume design at Illinois Wesleyan University, and lecturing on theatrical makeup at Temple University.

Katie believes that one can never stop looking at the larger picture, but that to understand the mechanisms of the world we must toward individual relationships. This theory holds true for her approach to theatre design as well as life. Her teaching style is based on a foundation of individual attention, tailored teaching styles, and open communication. She also uses what she lovingly refers to as ‘the Picasso Method’: her students will learn design practices and historical parameters inside and out, and then be encouraged to break the rules with intent.