Tenure - track Assistant Professor, Costume Design

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Costume Design

The School of Theatre and Dance at James Madison University invites applications for a full-time, 10-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Costume Design to join our dynamic and collaborative faculty beginning August 2026. We are seeking a vibrant theatre artist and educator with a strong professional background and a national and/or international portfolio in Costume Design, as well as a commitment to student-centered teaching. The successful candidate will demonstrate a pedagogical approach grounded in contemporary, deliverables-based processes and an interest in evolving industry practices. Our program integrates a rigorous liberal arts foundation with intensive artistic training, and we are currently engaged in a collaborative redesign of our Theatre major. The incoming faculty member will have a meaningful voice in shaping this future and help lead the development of a design/technology curriculum alongside a passionate and forward-thinking faculty.

Teaching responsibilities may include: Costume Design, Design Aspects, Stage Makeup, Advanced Design, Technical Costuming (basic, advanced), Introduction to Theatre for non-majors. In addition to teaching, faculty are expected to: Design at least two mainstage productions per academic year, Participate in curriculum development and revision, Engage in creative and/or scholarly research, Actively mentor and advise students, Contribute to a supportive and inclusive departmental environment, Participate in student recruitment.

Required Qualifications: An MFA in costume design or related field by time of appointment, Record of professional creative practice and/or academic scholarship in the discipline of costume design at the regional, national, and/or international level, Evidence of strong costume technology and crafts skills, Demonstrated ability to design for dance, Commitment to liberal arts education and collaborative learning, A developing or established record of creative or scholarly work consistent with the expectations of an R2 research institution. Preferred Qualifications: Record of engaged and accomplished teaching at the undergraduate level, Membership with USA829, Demonstrated experience with makeup design, Demonstrated experience of costume design in non-theatrical contexts (e.g., film/TV), Demonstrated experience with sustainability of materials/resources for costume design, Record of successful student mentorship.