Job Description

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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:

Attention:

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.

Job Details:

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.

Compensation:

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

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 .

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. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

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

Contact Information:

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Ruth Conrad-Proulx
Search Committee Chair
262-472-1561
conradpr@uww.edu

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 Human Resources at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu .

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 ( hr@uww.edu ). UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

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.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin ( ).


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 Universities of Wisconsin 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 i f you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

EEO STATEMENT:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Tags

Full time, Seasonal work, H1b, Visa sponsorship, Work visa,

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