Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts 
 Acting, Costume Design, Dramatic Production, & Technical Theatre 

The Costume Design Department focuses on cultivating creativity and independent thinking among its designers. The process starts with script and character analysis, developing design concepts, and learning how to implement designs. Students study time periods of the characters they are assigned in order to most accurately depict them. They grow patterning and sewing skills, with a focus on constructing garments and accessories. Hair and makeup artistry is also explored as required for total character creation. Students practice their skills by designing and crewing all the musicals and plays at APA. When developing a design, students exercise cognitive skills, such as visual processing, focusing attention, memory, logic, and reasoning. Students also rely on their artistic abilities, such as drawing, color coordination, and imagination. The program does many activities to help young artists recognize their own personal aesthetic and learn how to find inspiration in the world around them.