Costume Designer/Shop Manager and Lecturer - Theatre and Dance - 21304
ATTENTION:
The Theatre & Dance Department in the College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is seeking a Costume Designer/Shop Manager and Lecturer (Lecturer, TL020). This position is a full-time, nine-month, renewable Academic Staff position beginning August 2025.
JOB DETAILS:
This is a full-time, nine-month, Academic Staff position with the starting rank of Lecturer 1 and will serve as Costume Shop Manager and Costume Designer for Department productions and will teach undergraduate courses in the Theatre and Dance Department curriculum, such as Introduction to Design, History of Clothing, Theatrical Costuming, Stage Make-Up and Introduction to Technical Theatre. This position may also teach general educational courses. The Department mounts five productions each academic year (three plays, one musical/opera and one dance concert); production design assignments are part of the teaching load. The successful candidate will design or mentor students for each production. This position may be invited to participate in service and scholarship activities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications:
- M.A in entertainment/theatrical design, preferably costume technology or design. General/other production design M.A.s will be considered in conjunction with professional and academic experience
- Strong evidence of successful university level teaching with a focus on costume design and/or technology
- Strong evidence of professional production experience in costume technology and/or design
Preferred Qualifications:
- Terminal degree (MFA or Ph.D.) in entertainment/theatrical design, preferably costume technology or design. General/other production design MFAs will be considered in conjunction with professional and academic experience
- Two years’ experience as instructor of record at the university level with a focus on costume design and/or technology
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds and embrace inclusion as a university community member
- Collaboration as part of production and creative team as exhibited by full participation in the entire process
- Strong organizational skills and proficiency in shop management, including budget management and costume collection maintenance
- Proficiency in costume design and rendering for varied performance disciplines (Dance, Musicals, Operas, Plays)
- Ability to teach in an undergraduate shop with students of various skill levels
- Ability to mentor student designers and technicians through practicum design and production processes
- Familiarity with clothing history
- Familiarity with hair, wig and make-up design and application; wig maintenance and storage
- Ability to meet students' diverse cultural preferences and gender spectrum needs to foster inclusivity in a felt safe space, including ability to work with a range of skin and hair types
- Proficiency with costume construction techniques and practices that might include but not limited to, pattern drafting, dyeing/painting, stitching, costume crafts, millinery, jewelry, use of industrial machines
- Actively follow and enforce applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design costumes, wigs/hair and make-up for each production
- Realize and produce all costumes, crafts, wigs/hair and make-up for each production
- Mentor and teach students working in the costume shop through the production process
- Attend production meetings and rehearsals
- Manage the operation and maintenance of the costume equipment, storage areas, and costume facilities; maintain a clean and safe workspace
- Maintain a budget for supplies and student labor
- Maintain a costume production calendar and meet production deadlines
- Teach a slate of courses based on regular course rotation and production design assignments
- Will 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
- Adherence to University procurement and budget procedures and policies
** **This description attempts to indicate the kinds and types of responsibilities given to this position and shall not be construed as defining all specific duties and responsibilities of this position. It is not intended to limit or modify the right of supervisors to assign, direct and monitor the work of their employees. Statements of employee duties are not intended to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of responsibility.
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:
The UW-W Theatre/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/
CAMPUS INFORMATION:
UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university's 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs - online and in person - from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university's arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities - a priority mission since the 1970s.
UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin's Park Place.
Belonging and mattering are central to the university's culture, and UW-Whitewater strives to maintain an environment where individual and collective efforts are valued and celebrated. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of $52,000.
UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:
Applications received by January 5, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu.
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Ruth Conrad-Proulx
Search Committee Chair
262-472-1561
conradpr@uww.edu
TO APPLY:
Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:
- Cover letter/letter of interest
- Curriculum Vita
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- Copy of unofficial graduate transcripts (official transcripts will be required as part of the final hiring process)
- Up to three sample syllabi
- Up to three sample assignments or project outlines, guidelines, with evaluation criteria
- Portfolio materials or active website that demonstrates design process and technical abilities
- Up to three documents demonstrating shop management skills
- Name and contact information for three professional references
This Job ID is 21304.
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