"Costume Designer and Shop Manager"

Summary of Position

The Communication, Media, and Performance department at Allegheny College invites applicants for a 12-month, full-time exempt position beginning Fall 2026. Ideal candidates will have experience and success with costume shop management, design experience, and artistic collaboration.

The position will supervise student crews for departmental productions, including construction, makeup, and wardrobe. The position will also design, source, and build costumes for up to 3 theatre and 3 dance productions per year. The position will have the opportunity to teach courses in design and costume production.

Manage costume shop, which includes: equipment maintenance and purchasing; setting and tracking budget; maintaining stock; acquiring fabrication materials; generating costume designs in a collaborative process; converting design images into technical production plans; and supervising the fabrication of costumes, millinery, prosthetics, and other textile-based pieces.

They collaborate with faculty, staff, and students in the Communication, Media, and Performance department to support the artistic and educational mission of the College.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Planning and Execution: Provide design and technical expertise toward the planning, budgeting, conception, and production of costumes, hair, and makeup for the departmental productions in theatre and dance. Create or analyze design drawings, create technical drawings and other production documents, and acquire supplies, materials and equipment. Advise film, dance, and theatre students and student groups on costumes and makeup.
• Student Workforce Management: Hire, train, and supervise paid and volunteer student workforce for construction, installation, and operation of theatre costume, hair, and makeup production elements. Provide ongoing mentorship, guidance, and evaluation of student employees. Ensure students follow proper safety procedures and industry-standard practices.
• Classroom Teaching and Instruction: teach courses in costume design and technology (THTR 162, 260, 360 or 590) as scheduled, not to exceed 10 credit hours of instruction annually. Research current production materials and methods. Incorporate current production technologies and methods into coursework.
• Facility and Equipment Safety: Maintain clean, safe, efficient, and operational costume and makeup facilities and equipment in the Gladys Mullenix Black Theatre, the Montgomery Dance Space, and support spaces. Oversee and promote the physical safety of students and staff working on costumes, hair, and makeup in the theatre and dance performance spaces. Conduct inspections and enforce compliance with health, safety, and fire regulations. Promote and ensure safe working practices for students, staff, and faculty.
• Shop Inventory and Maintenance: Maintain a space that is up to code with all regulations, as well as in a daily presentable state for student workers, collaborators, guests, and campus tours.

Experience and Qualifications

Qualifications include BA/BFA with a background in theatre production and design or professional equivalent. MFA or MA in Costume Design is preferred

Required Knowledge

Costume design & technology for live performance, including advanced knowledge of period styles, cutting, draping, historical pattern construction, hair & makeup for diverse skin tones, prosthetic fabrication. Knowledge of costume and/or fashion history.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Budget planning & tracking; collaborative creative work; student training & supervision; teaching/pedagogy; traditional & digital media.
• Designing and costuming for program productions.
• Patterning, draping, cutting, tailoring, altering, and fitting garments, as well as dying or distressing fabrics.
• Organizing wardrobe crews and student workers.
• Operating and basic repair knowledge of sewing machines and other costume related machinery and devices.
• Handle multiple tasks or projects, each week.
• Communicate effectively, professionally, and inclusively with colleagues and student collaborators.
• Costume dancers with attention to mobility.

Compensation

Starting salary will be competitive, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Expected starting salary: $44,000.00 - full time, exempt

The Hiring Process

Please send a cover letter that speaks to the qualifications of the position, Resume/CV, a 1-2 page pdf sample of your artistic work, and contact information of three professional references to the Office of Human Resources, 520 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or to employment@allegheny.edu. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.