"Costume Designer/Shop Manager - Theatre and Dance"

Job Details

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Position Title: Costume Designer/Shop Manager - Theatre and Dance

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Lecturer

Job Duties:

The Theatre and Dance Department in the College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks an academic staff member in the position of Costume Designer/Shop Manager, beginning August 2026 with the rank of Lecturer 1 (TL020). This is a full-time, nine-month, renewable position.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses and serve as the Costume Designer for Department productions and Costume Shop Manager. Classes may include: Introduction to Design, History of Clothing, Theatrical Costuming, Stage Make-Up and Introduction to Technical Theatre. This position may also teach general education courses. The Department mounts five productions each academic year (three plays, one musical/opera and one dance concert); production design assignments are factored into the teaching load. The candidate will design or mentor student designers for each production and may choose to participate in service and scholarship activities.

Responsibilities:

• Teach a slate of courses based on regular course rotation and production design assignments
• Proficiency in costume design and rendering for varied performance disciplines (Dance, Musicals, Operas, Plays)
• Realize and produce all costumes, crafts, wigs/hair and make-up for each production
  • Proficiency with costume construction techniques and practices
  • Familiarity with hair, wig and make-up design and application
  • Maintain a costume production calendar and meet production deadlines
• Ability to mentor undergraduate student designers and technicians of various skill levels through practicum design and production processes
  • Attend production meetings and rehearsals
  • Collaboration as part of the production and creative team as exhibited by full participation in the entire process
• Manage the operation and maintenance of the costume equipment, storage areas, and costume facilities; maintain a clean and safe workspace
  • Familiarity with wig maintenance and storage
  • Strong organizational skills and proficiency in shop management, including budget management and costume collection maintenance
  • Maintain a budget for supplies and student labor
  • Adherence to University procurement and budget procedures and policies
• May be invited to serve on departmental committees, such as Play Selection and Scholarships, as well as various committees at the College and University levels as desired
  • May serve as academic advisor for BFA Design/Technology students with an emphasis in costumes

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Serves as an initial point of contact for students as it relates to specific course or series content and expectations
• Develops instructional design and curriculum relevant to a course of instruction
• Facilitates classroom, online and/or laboratory instruction for one or more courses, including assessment of student performance

Department:

The UW-W Theatre and Dance Department has a staff of nine faculty/academic staff members, offering BA and BSE degrees, a dance minor, and BFA emphases in design/tech, stage management, and performance. Five live productions are mounted each year, including a musical/opera production in collaboration with the Department of Music and our annual Dancescapes dance concert. The department shares the Greenhill Center for the Arts with the departments of Music, Art & Design, and the Young Auditorium.

The Theatre/Dance department houses two performance spaces: the proscenium Barnett Theatre, and the black box Hicklin Theatre. The department also houses a dedicated dance studio and fully equipped scenic construction and costume construction shops and storage within the Greenhill Center of the Arts.

Our production rotation plan allows students exposure to and practice in a wide variety of genres and production styles, both in performance and design. We are a highly collaborative, practically oriented department, with an emphasis on preparing our students for a variety of careers throughout the entertainment industry. www.uww.edu/cac/theatre/

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of $53,000.

Required Qualifications:

• M.A. in entertainment/theatrical design, preferably costume technology or design. General/other M.A.s will be considered in conjunction with professional and academic experience
• Evidence of university level teaching (inclusive of teaching assistant positions) with a focus on costume design and/or technology
• Evidence of production experience in costume technology and/or design

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree (MFA) in entertainment/theatrical design, preferably costume technology or design
• Experience as instructor of record at the university level with a focus on costume design and/or technology and management
• Evidence of professional production experience in costume technology and/or design

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit materials no later than October 12, 2025. The review of applications will continue until the position is filled.