Clinical Assistant Professor, Costume Shop Manager

at  University at Buffalo

The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (UB), invites applications for a Clinical Assistant Professor and Costume Shop Manager. This is a full-time (10 month) non-tenure-track faculty position with an emphasis on teaching, undergraduate recruitment, and artistic service. The initial appointment will be for a three-year term with opportunity for renewal based on performance, College need, and available funding.
Costume design and construction, as a creative research activity, is central to the vision and mission of the department. The Costume Shop Manager interacts with each of the 200+ student performers and designers to support Department production activities. All curricular productions are serviced by the costume shop and students are educated in costume design, dying, fabrics, draping, and construction techniques.

The Clinical Assistant Professor is responsible for teaching and developing lab sections of costume related courses and Production Practicums. The Clinical Assistant Professor serves as Costume Shop Manager and is responsible for day-to-day operations in the costume shop, including but not limited to;

• Supervising all activities and personnel associated with the shop.
• Establishing and overseeing all safety guidelines and protocols.
• Scheduling students enrolled in costume practicums.
• Supervising and delegating costume needs to costume shop staff.
• Mentoring student designers and managing the execution of the designs.
• Teaching lab sections of costume design and potentially developing gen ed courses.
• Budgeting, purchasing, reconciling, and managing the construction of costumes for productions.
• Serving on the season selection committee.

The ideal candidate will have an established or emerging reputation within the multifaceted world of Theatre Design and Technology, and will work collaboratively with program faculty to shape and deliver a curriculum that prepares students for success in today’s theatre industry. We seek a colleague with the passion, skill, energy, and enthusiasm to recruit a diverse population of students with clear potential for success in the Theatre and Design and Technology field.
Faculty are expected to maintain regular office hours and contribute to department and system-wide committees. Other service to the Department may include participating in community engagement initiatives and interdisciplinary projects within and outside the University. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate through their teaching, creative activities, and service that they will contribute to a climate of inclusivity, diversity, and excellence.
Outstanding Benefits Package
Working at UB comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus on creating and sustaining a healthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit – all in an effort to support your work-life effectiveness. We support your growth and development through our career coaching and training department and we qualify as a public service loan forgiveness organization. Learn more about our benefit packages.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BFA in Theatre, Costume Design, Design and Technology, or related area.
• Demonstrated educational expertise, working with diverse populations and diverse course content, texts, and pedagogies.
• Experience with costume construction including patterning and draping.
• Ability to manage costuming for multiple performances simultaneously.
• Experience with costume shop management including budgeting and purchasing.
• Undergraduate teaching and mentoring or equivalent professional experience directing construction projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MA, MFA, PhD in Theatre, Costume Design, Design and Technology, or related area.
• Supervisory experience.
• Secondary area that would contribute to the curriculum: Knowledge of TV and film industry; design software; wigs, make-up and prosthetics; millinery, crafts and dyeing.
• Experience developing student centered curriculum and learning outcomes from a contemporary social, cultural, and pedagogic lens.
• Academic and/or industry leadership experience.
• Experience and interest in collaborating on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Commitment to furthering community engagement initiatives.
• Online teaching experience, and/or general education curriculum.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS SUMMARY

Interviews will be scheduled as soon as possible. Ideally, the selected candidate will be able to start for the spring 2025 semester (January 2025).
All applicants must submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, PDF portfolio of 5-10 images, and contact information for three (3) references. A teaching statement is not required, but may be submitted.
All application materials should be submitted via UB Jobs. Application materials submitted directly to the posting contact will not be acknowledged and cannot be considered.

• Supervising all activities and personnel associated with the shop.
• Establishing and overseeing all safety guidelines and protocols.
• Scheduling students enrolled in costume practicums.
• Supervising and delegating costume needs to costume shop staff.
• Mentoring student designers and managing the execution of the designs.
• Teaching lab sections of costume design and potentially developing gen ed courses.
• Budgeting, purchasing, reconciling, and managing the construction of costumes for productions.
• Serving on the season selection committee