Job description
Institution The University of South Dakota
Working Title Assistant Professor of Costume Design and Technology
Posting Number F01719P
Department USD-Theatre
Physical Location of Position (City) Vermillion
Posting Text
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, and will continue until the position is filled.
If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Lynch, Office of the Dean 605-658-3445
Posting Date 09/09/2025
Closing Date
Open Until Filled Yes
First Consideration Date 10/09/2025
Advertised Salary 48000-53000 DOQ
Duration of the Term 9 months
If Other, describe duration
Appointment Percent 100
Tenure Status Tenure Track
Proposed Rank Assistant Professor
Work Hours
Typical Hours Worked Per Week
Appointment Type Regular
Scope of Search External (includes Internal)
If internal, define scope of search
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 Lynch
Office of the Dean
University of South Dakota, College of Fine Arts
605-658-3445
Working Conditions
Cognitive Requirements
Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position. Analyzing, Comprehend, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-average, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication
Protective Clothing/Equipment
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Physical Requirements
Please designate the physical requirements of this position Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Crouching, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Lifting Above Waist, Lifting Below Waist, Lifting moderate, Pushing/Pulling, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Standing for sustained periods of time, Stretching, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating)
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Sensory Requirements
Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Vision (With and without corrective lenses)
Working Conditions & Exposures
Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.
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Working Environment
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If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.
Supplemental Questions
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How to apply
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Portfolio
- Reference List
- Work or Writing Sample
Optional Documents
- Media File
- Other
