Job Details

Assistant Professor of Costume Design and Technology

Position Number: 6616599
Location: Vermillion, SD
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Theatre and Dance

Assistant Professor of Costume Design and Technology

University of South Dakota

Posting Number: F01719P

Department: USD-Theatre Department of Theatre: Located in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, the Theatre Department is part of the College of Fine Arts, which also includes the departments of Art and Music. A faculty of ten serve eighty-five theatre majors in a program that offers the BFA in Acting, Musical Theatre, Design and Technology, and Theatre Studies, as well as the MFA degree with specializations in directing and in design/technology with emphases in scene design, lighting/sound design, costume design, and technical theatre. The University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and is affiliated with the Black Hills Playhouse, a 79-year-old summer stock theatre located in Custer State Park, and the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival which provides free Shakespeare in the park in Vermillion. The University of South Dakota: Located in southeast South Dakota, USD is the flagship liberal arts institution for the State of South Dakota (approximately 10,000 enrolled) and is composed of the College of Fine Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, Schools of Business, Education, Law, Medicine and Graduate School. Information about the Theatre Department may be obtained on our website at www.usd.edu/theatre.

Physical Location of Position (City): Vermillion

Job Description:
Position Description: The Department of Theatre at The University of South Dakota invites applications for a nine-month tenure-track position in costume design and technology to commence August 2026. The successful candidate will teach in the BFA and MFA Design and Technology programs; serve as a costume, make-up, and hair designer; as costume, make-up, and hair design advisor for departmental productions; and work with the Costume Shop Manager. Teaching responsibilities include, but are not limited to, costume design, introduction to theatre, costume history, construction, crafts, dyeing, and make up. Experience in both hand and digital rendering techniques across different platforms is desirable. Design experience for dance will be viewed favorably. Other responsibilities include active participation in service to the department/university, BFA and MFA recruitment, ongoing research/creative scholarship, and professional accomplishments. As part of a normal workload, you may be asked to teach online courses. Candidates who have experience working with a wide range of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds, and who can contribute to the climate of understanding are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications: MFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Costume Design is required; PhD with appropriate training and experience may be considered. Two years of teaching costume design and technologies in higher education and ongoing professional credits in costume design is preferred.

Application Procedures: Applications will only be accepted on-line at https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu. Include on the website a letter of application, curriculum vitae with a link to your website and/or your digital portfolio, statement of teaching philosophy, and the names and phone numbers of three current references. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin Oct. 15th, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Lynch, Office of the Dean 605-658-3445

Closing Date:

Open Until Filled: Yes

First Consideration Date: 10/15/2025

Advertised Salary: 48000-53000 DOQ

Duration of the Term: 9 months

If Other, describe duration:

Appointment Percent: 100

Work Hours:

Typical Hours Worked Per Week:

Appointment Type: Regular

Faculty Status:

Scope of Search: External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search: External (includes Internal)

This position requires:

If other, please indicate:

Department Description and Cultural Expectations: Department of Theatre: Located in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, the Theatre Department is part of the College of Fine Arts, which also includes the departments of Art and Music. A faculty of ten serve eighty-five theatre majors in a program that offers the BFA in Acting, Musical Theatre, Design and Technology, and Theatre Studies, as well as the MFA degree with specializations in directing and in design/technology with emphases in scene design, lighting/sound design, costume design, and technical theatre. The University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and is affiliated with the Black Hills Playhouse, a 79-year-old summer stock theatre located in Custer State Park, and the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival which provides free Shakespeare in the park in Vermillion.
The University of South Dakota: Located in southeast South Dakota, USD is the flagship liberal arts institution for the State of South Dakota (approximately 10,000 enrolled) and is composed of the College of Fine Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, Schools of Business, Education, Law, Medicine and Graduate School. Information about the Theatre Department may be obtained on our website at www.usd.edu/theatre.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: USD is committed to fostering a dynamic and welcoming working and learning environments for all. USD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to ideological, political, or sectarian opinions or perspectives; or race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, disability, national origin or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. USD is committed to the principles of free expression and encourages the timely and rational discussion of topics in an environment that is intellectually and ideologically diverse.

Contact Information: Amanda LynchOffice of the DeanUniversity of South Dakota, College of Fine Arts605-658-3445

To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu/postings/45543