Lichfield College students bring Dracula characters to life with costumes

Fashion and textiles students from Lichfield College have seen their designs brought to life on stage at the Lichfield Garrick.

The students, from South Staffordshire College’s creative campus, created costumes for Lichfield Players’ latest production of Dracula as part of a project giving them experience of working on a professional theatre production.

The collaboration allowed students to develop their technical skills while working to a real creative brief and taking feedback from theatre professionals.

Dracula director Simon Horton visited the college regularly to discuss the costume requirements, review progress and offer advice throughout the project.

The students’ work received praise from the production team and local reviewers. Mr Horton said he was “truly over the moon with the work”, adding that the students’ enthusiasm and commitment had left him feeling a sense of “elation and excitement” during his visits.

A review by Lichfield Radio also praised the costumes, describing them as “wonderful costumes that bring a real edge to the characters” and commending their attention to detail.

Photography students also took part in the project, documenting the costumes’ development and capturing the process through to dress rehearsals.

Chris Hopkins, faculty director at South Staffordshire College, said the project gave students valuable experience of working in the creative industries.

He said: “They have not only developed their technical skills but have also learned how to work with clients, respond to feedback and deliver professional outcomes.

“Receiving such positive feedback from theatre professionals and reviewers is a fantastic achievement and something they should be incredibly proud of.”

The students will showcase their work in an exhibition later this year, charting the design process from initial concepts to the finished costumes seen on stage.

The quality of the students’ work received praise from both the production team and local reviewers. Speaking about the partnership, Director Simon Horton said he was “truly over the moon with the work” and praised the enthusiasm and commitment shown throughout the project, adding that every visit to the college left him with “elation and excitement”.

The costumes also received special recognition in a review by Lichfield Radio, which described them as “wonderful costumes that bring a real edge to the characters”, adding that “the attention to detail is outstanding”.

The collaboration extended beyond the Fashion and Textiles department, with Photography students documenting the project from development through to dress rehearsals, capturing the creative journey behind the production.

Faculty Director Chris Hopkins said “Projects like this give our students an invaluable opportunity to experience the realities of working in the creative industries. They have not only developed their technical skills but have also learned how to work with clients, respond to feedback and deliver professional outcomes. Receiving such positive feedback from theatre professionals and reviewers is a fantastic achievement and something they should be incredibly proud of.”

The students will also showcase their work in an exhibition later this year, highlighting the design journey from initial concepts through to the finished costumes seen on stage.

Building confidence, developing professional skills and preparing for careers in the creative sector are central to South Staffordshire College’s approach to industry focused learning. The theatre partnership demonstrates that commitment in practice.