Campus News

The Performing Arts Department at Rockford University seeks an enthusiastic, visionary, inventive, strategic, and highly collaborative Costume Designer/Lecturer.  This educator will be a vital member of our department. The ideal candidate will have eight to ten years of academic and/or professional experience, and the expertise to not only teach costuming, but to design and produce costumes for our four main stage productions, as well as mentor young designers.

Responsibilities include teaching Costume Design I, II, and III, Stage Makeup, Production, and team-teaching Fundamentals of Design and Introduction to Technical Theater. Opportunities also exist to teach other courses, such as Theater History. As Costume Designer, this faculty member will design and oversee costume construction/production of two musicals and two plays each year and will supervise the Costume Shop. While outside professional endeavors are encouraged, primary focus must be instruction and mentorship.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community of students, artists, and teachers, and we welcome applications from members of groups traditionally underrepresented in university faculties and in theater. 

Minimum Qualifications:

1. MFA in Technical Theatre or Theatre, or equivalent professional experience;
2. Successful college-level teaching experience preferred;
3. Extensive and varied artist-level design work;
4. An educational philosophy compatible with that of a private institution in a liberal arts environment.

To Apply: 

Please send letter of interest, curriculum vitae, evidence of teaching effectiveness and design experience, portfolio link, transcripts (official upon hire) and the names and contact information of three professional references to HumanResources@rockford.edu

At Rockford University we are committed to the principle of diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to building a well-rounded workforce and community.  We are especially interested in candidates who through their professional experience bring contributions to diversity and excellence in the work they do. 

About Rockford University Performing Arts: 

The Performing Arts Department at Rockford University offers exceptional conservatory-style training in a rich liberal arts setting. We offer a BA degree in Theatre Arts and a BFA degree in Theater, with tracks in Acting/Directing, Musical Theatre Performance, Design and Technical Theatre, and Theatre Management. A distinguished faculty with many years of professional experience provides classroom teaching and one-on-one mentoring to our students in a practical and experiential learning environment. Students from all over the country call our department home and are given ample opportunities to perform beginning their first year. The real proof of Rockford’s outstanding training program is the fine work of our graduates in theaters and grad schools around the country from New York to Los Angeles, including Broadway, national tours, regional theater, cruise ships, theme parks, and more.