Assistant Professor of Instruction

Columbia College Chicago•Chicago, IL

2d•$62,000 - $64,000

About The Position

The School of Theatre and Dance of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a full-time Teaching-Track Assistant Professor faculty position of Theatre Design - Costume starting August 2026. The successful candidate will have significant and current experience in professional theatre as a costume designer with the scholarly background to instruct students in best practices for design for live performance. This person will serve as the Costume Design faculty and mentor in TAPP (Theatre Arts Production and Practice). They will teach classes, such as introduction to theatrical design, introductory and advanced costume design, rendering, as well as special topics courses and career-oriented classes for majors. The teaching load is 12 credits per semester, with course releases for work on productions. Working in collaboration with other design and technology faculty and staff in TAPP, as well as faculty in other programs within The School of Theatre and Dance, the candidate will serve as a mentor for student designers for theatre productions, which involves attending production meetings, technical rehearsals on evenings and weekends, and responding to production needs as they arise. They will work with student, faculty, and staff stakeholders to ensure timely progress and completion of assignments. Secondary expertise/experience in scenic design is a plus, though not required. This person should be familiar with the changing field of design and technology and engaged in professional work that connects their teaching to their creative practice. In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates must exhibit excellent teaching and creative/scholarly credentials and be passionate about undergraduate education. The School of Theatre and Dance at Columbia College Chicago houses majors in Acting for Stage and Screen (BA and BFA), Musical Theatre (BA and BFA), Comedy Writing and Performance (BA and BFA), Dance (BA), and Theatre Arts\: Production and Practice (BA) with concentrations in Theatre Design & Technology, Directing, Stage Management, and Theatre Arts. With over 700 students, the School of Theatre and Dance’s mission is to provide undergraduate students with a comprehensive education in the practices and processes of creating theatre, dance, and live performance. The School of Theatre and Dance stages approximately 50 productions a year. Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving over 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago’s South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's most lively urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice. At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits.

Requirements

MFA, Doctorate or other terminal degree in Costume Design for Performance or a related theatre field. Candidates with a post-secondary degree and significant professional experience at the highest level may also be considered.
Significant and current experience in professional theatre as a costume designer with the scholarly background to instruct students in best practices for design for live performance.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience and college teaching experience are highly desirable.
Secondary expertise/experience in scenic design is a plus, though not required.

Responsibilities

Teach at the undergraduate level in areas assigned by the School Director.
Engage with the broader scholarly and professional communities.
Supervise and advise and mentor students.
Contribute to the development, planning, and implementation of a high-quality curriculum.
Commit to continuing professional development.
Provide service to the college, profession and community.
Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.