Assistant Professor, Theatre & Costume Design (AA28023)

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities•Mankato, MN

13d

About The Position

The Department of Performing Arts at Minnesota State University, Mankato, invites applications for a nine-month fixed-term Assistant Professor appointment in Costume Design, beginning August 16, 2027. The appointee will teach undergraduate and/or graduate Theatre courses, with expected teaching responsibilities in Costume Design, Construction, and History. Additional courses may include Stage Makeup, Basic Design, Drawing and Rendering, Portfolio Seminar, or other subjects suited to the candidate’s expertise, experience, and interests. A typical faculty workload may include up to 24 instructional credits per academic year; the successful candidate may also teach in other qualified areas as assigned. Instruction may be delivered face-to-face, in hybrid formats, or online at the Mankato campus and/or additional university locations. The successful candidate will participate in creative research and design for theatre and dance productions; advise undergraduate and graduate students; recruit students; and contribute to department activities in a collaborative, interdisciplinary theatre, music, and dance program. As a member of the graduate faculty, the appointee may chair or serve on graduate project or thesis committees. Faculty responsibilities also include collaborating with colleagues on curriculum, instruction, and evaluation; conducting research and mentoring students in research; developing strategies for student recruitment, retention, and completion; and potentially pursuing external grant funding. Faculty members are expected to engage in scholarly, creative, or research activity, continuing preparation and study, student development, and service to the university and community. The Theatre Program, housed in the Department of Performing Arts within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, offers BA and MFA degrees and prepares students for professional work in the field. The position is covered by the Inter Faculty Organization collective bargaining agreement. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience, within the stated contractual range. Successful applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Requirements

Terminal degree in Theatre with a Costume focus, or extensive costume experience.
At least 2 years of experience in Costume Design for theatrical productions at the university level.
Evidence of appropriate professional creative and/or scholarly research in costume or theatre.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and foster an inclusive, respectful, and equitable professional environment.
Must be eligible to work in the United States on or before the appointment date and maintain work authorization without employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.
Submit a cover letter, non-photo resume/CV, contact information for three references, unofficial transcript(s) of the highest completed degree, a one-page response describing experience fostering an inclusive environment, and a one-page teaching philosophy.

Nice To Haves

Recently completed MFA or PhD in Theatre.
Demonstrated success teaching and creating costume designs in racially, ethnically, culturally, and gender-diverse contexts.
Demonstrated effective written, oral communication, and presentation skills.
At least 2 years of teaching experience in a college or university setting.
At least 2 years of experience in Costume Design for university-level dance concert productions.
At least 4 years of experience in Costume Construction/Technology for theatrical productions.
Experience in film production.
Demonstrated experience in a professional theatre company and/or touring company.
Evidence of working with international intellectual property and commercial theatrical productions.
Experience advising and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
Experience in Stage Makeup.
Experience in wig making and styling.
Experience in millinery or other advanced construction techniques.

Responsibilities

Teach Costume Design, Construction, and History, as well as other courses appropriate to the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs.
Teach undergraduate and/or graduate Theatre courses, potentially in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats and at assigned university locations.
Participate in creative research and design for theatre and dance productions.
Advise Theatre majors and other undergraduate and graduate students, including potentially chairing or serving on graduate project or thesis committees.
Participate in student recruitment and department activities within a collaborative theatre, music, and dance program.
Collaborate with colleagues on curriculum design, instruction, and evaluation.
Conduct research productively and mentor students in research.
Help develop strategies for student recruitment, retention, and completion.
Potentially develop external grant funding opportunities.
Engage in scholarly or creative activity or research, continuing preparation and study, student growth and development, and service to the university and community.
Follow university safety policies and procedures, complete required safety training, and use appropriate tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment.

Benefits

Low-cost medical insurance with affordable deductibles.
Low-cost dental insurance with affordable deductibles.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a rollover option.
Confidential Employee Assistance Program for mental health, legal, and financial counseling.
12 paid holidays.
Vacation and sick time.
Six weeks of paid parental leave.
Pension plan.
457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts and investment options.
Professional development opportunities.
Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.