What qualifications do you need? A degree or course in costume design would be very useful as is a working knowledge of the theatre. Helpful skills include dressmaking or tailoring, plus a knowledge of fabrics. What sort of person does the job suit? A practical person who can turn their hand to drawing, pattern making and pattern cutting. Someone with a good imagination who can think outside of the box and can interpret the personalities of characters within a script. What's the best way into the industry? Start at grass roots level - get involved with your local theatre group and research as much as you can about theatrical costume. There are many books and websites on the subject. Read plays, go and watch musicals, ballets and operas. These productions usually all make use of costumes and you can learn a great deal from looking at a variety of designs. It will also help to inspire you with your own designing. What work hours do you keep? An average day out of the theatre is 7 hours, while in the theatre can be anything up to 15 hours a day. Is there a clear career path? This depends on whether you work independently or for a theatrical company. If you are employed by a company, you will be restricted by the company's needs and expectations. If you work freelance, you have more freedom but it can also be more risky. What is the best part of your job? Seeing our costumes on the stage. The details of our costumes that matter to us are the ones that bring out dramatic or musical themes, make movement possible and, most importantly, can be seen and appreciated by the audience. What is the worst? Seeing our costumes at the end of a production run very much worse for wear. Salary? It varies depending on the production budget of the show you are working on. Last word? Working backstage in live theatre is not always as glamorous as it seems. You'll either love it or hate it. We love it!