Job description
Department of Theatre and Dance
Instructor Costume Technology
The faculty of the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of South Carolina, Columbiacampus, invites applications for a full time, professional-track position at the rank of Instructor to begin August 16, 2026. The position is a 9-month appointment with a workload equivalent to teaching four courses per semester divided among traditional teaching and costume production work. This is an annual appointment that may be renewed contingent upon Dean’s approval, satisfactory performance, departmental needs, and the availability of funding.
Candidates must have an M.A. or M.F.A. in Theatre or comparable professional costume/production experience in professional venues such as theatre, TV, film, and/or other industry establishments by the start of the appointment. Working directly with the Costume Shop Manager and fulfilling visions of the Head of Costume Design and graduate students, successful candidates must display a collaborative spirit with a strong commitment to creating and maintaining innovative, productive, and supportive educational spaces.
Job responsibilities include a range of tasks, starting with pre-production where duties involve sourcing materials, attending production and design meetings, and maintaining costume storage.During production, responsibilities encompass draping, costume craft, wig production, and millinery as needed. Mandatory attendance at fittings and technical rehearsals is also required. This position also includes teaching courses in costume technology, craft, dye technique, millinery, and wig making.Additional shop duties involve machine maintenance, general shop organization, and dye and laundry room maintenance. Additional, preferred, areas of expertise include makeup, tailoring, shop management, wardrobe supervision, puppetry, and/or jewelry making. An interest in contributing to curriculum development in costume production is also desired.
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
The Department of Theatre and Dance
The Department of Theatre and Dance is a dynamic, collaborative community that includes two of the University’s most vibrant and visible programs. Students pursue a strong liberal arts undergraduate education or highly specialized graduate degrees in Acting, Theatre Design and Technology, Theatre Education, and Directing. Students gain practical experience and develop artistic skills through annual public performance seasons, educational conservatories, workshops, film projects, and community- engaged performances.
The Theatre program is committed to high quality productions as an essential component of preparing students for work in the profession. Our students perform in a range of unique venues, from historic, arena-style Longstreet Theatre to our intimate black box, all located across the University’s downtown Columbia campus. Our venues include Longstreet Theatre (250 seat arena stage), Drayton Hall (404 seat proscenium theatre), The Lab Theatre (90 seat flexible black box), and 707 Catawba Studio Theatre (60seat flexible space).
The Department of Theatre and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre(NAST), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), and is a member of the University/ Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA). The department offers the M.F.A. (directing, acting, and design emphasis in scenery, costume, or lighting), M.A., M.A.T., and B.A. degree programs in theatre. For more information about our department, please visit our website at https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/theatre_and_dance/.
How to apply
Review of applications begins October 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit the following materials:
• Letter of Application (Cover Letter)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Philosophy (two-pages maximum)
• Contact Information for 3 references. Letters of Reference will be solicited after initial review.
Inquiries about the search and/or the position may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Associate Professor Kristy Hall, at [email protected].
All applicants must apply online at USCJobs at https://uscjobs.sc.edu.
The University of South Carolina is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
