Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design

Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design - #001655

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include the following: letter of application, current CV, list of three professional references with complete contact information, unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master’s degree level and higher, and a link to a portfolio online resource.

For questions or additional information please contact Victoria Depew at vdepew.

* All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master’s degree transcript, if you hold such a degree.

The master’s degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.

School of Stage & Screen, Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts, Western Carolina University.

Western Carolina University is a UNC system campus known for high rankings and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, tuition waivers, and various wellness programs.

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus. The school serves approximately 200 majors and includes film, television, musical theatre, acting, entertainment design, and dance programs.

Western Carolina University’s School of Stage and Screen seeks an Assistant Professor of Practice in Costume Design. This is a 9‑month, fixed‑term position with an anticipated start date of August 2026. Primary duties include teaching costume design and technology, makeup for stage and screen, and other Stage and Screen courses as needed. The position will design 2–3 productions per year—typically musical productions—and mentor and assist student designers.

The role works closely with the costume shop manager, Technical Director, and faculty designers to meet production deadlines. The ideal candidate will excel in costume design, technology, time management, and budgeting. This position teaches a 4/4 load including releases for significant design assignments.

• Teach costume design, technology, and makeup courses.
• Design and coordinate 2–3 stage or screen productions annually.
• Mentor student designers in costume design.
• Ensure production timelines are met in collaboration with the costume shop manager, Technical Director, and faculty designers.

• 9‑month fixed term, 40 hours per week.
• Ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously.

• MFA in Costume Design and/or MFA in Costume Technology with professional design experience.
• Demonstrated prior experience teaching at the university level.

Experience with budgeting for productions and advanced costume technology tools.

Permanent Full-Time

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies require credit or motor vehicle checks. The university uses E‑Verify. For more information, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
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• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial Transcripts
• List of references
• Portfolio

Any additional materials that demonstrate your teaching or design expertise.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).