Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Assistant Professor, Costume Design

Department of Theatre Arts

College of Fine Arts and Communications

COFAC-N-2303

Responsibilities as Written

The Department of Theatre Arts at Towson University seeks a qualified individual to teach undergraduate costume design courses and design, or mentor student designers, for a season of approx. four main stage productions, and oversee selected undergraduate and graduate student productions.  This position requires a teaching load of 9 contact hours per semester for the first three years.   

As a member of the faculty, the candidate is expected to: share the responsibilities of service to the department, college, and university; continue to develop as a designer through professional design opportunities and research; work closely with the costumer, who supervises the costume shop, in the execution of the costume designs, assist in the costume shop, attend dress rehearsals, develop the budget with the costumer and help organize costume crews.

Appointment

Ten-month appointment with the possibility of summer compensation for teaching. Tenure-Track position. Start date: August 17, 2010.  Position is contingent on the final funding approval for FY 2011.

Qualifications

An MFA degree with a preferred concentration in costume design.  Applicants should have a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and provide evidence of outstanding design potential.  A background in costume history, make-up, and/or a secondary interest in other areas of theatre design is preferred.

The successful candidate must support and enhance the department’s commitment to the exploration of traditional, contemporary and experimental work. Evidence or interest in securing external funding preferred.

Department

The Department of Theatre Arts offers an undergraduate and graduate program that enrolls approx. 200 students served by 13 full-time and 22 part-time faculty and 4 production staff. The Department offers the undergraduate major in theatre leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. The undergraduate major is divided into three areas of study: acting, design and production, and theatre studies committed to the principles of a liberal arts based education.  In addition, The Department of Theatre Arts offers a Master of Fine Arts degree. The graduate program is dedicated to creating a fluid, alternative environment for the training of the total theater maker. The program is designed as an experimental, self-directed process that will challenge, expand and develop each participant's artistic vision. The program is for artists who desire to work beyond a single discipline or in the traditional conservatory model.

Towson University

Founded in 1866, today Towson University is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top public universities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Towson is nationally recognized for its programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, communications, health sciences, and the fine and performing arts.  The University places a strong emphasis on service learning and civic engagement through such activities as internships, practica, clinical placements, course assignments and student events.  As the Baltimore area’s largest university and Maryland’s Metropolitan University, Towson articulates its research and scholarship mission through partnerships that link the University to the economic, educational and cultural life of the state of Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region. Towson enrolls approximately 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 63 undergraduate majors, 39 master’s programs and four doctoral programs. Located on a rolling 328 acres, the striking campus is eight miles north of downtown Baltimore and 45 miles from Washington, D.C.  The campus and its surrounding cities provide an excellent environment for teaching and supporting the academic pursuits of the 780 full-time faculty who work here.

Application Process

The review of completed applications begins November 1, 2009 and will continue until the position is filled.  Submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, one page statement of teaching philosophy, a one page statement of design philosophy, official graduate transcripts, and three letters of reference sent under separate cover to:

Daniel Ettinger

Search Chair

c/o Michele Madden

Department of Theatre Arts

Towson University

8000 York Rd.

Towson, MD 21252

In addition please send one example of a costume rendering and a photo of that same completed costume. Please do not send any additional portfolio items at this time.

Upon submitting your Curriculum Vitae to indicate your interest in this position, please be sure to visit http://www.towson.edu/odeo/applicantdata.asp to complete a voluntary on-line applicant data form.  The information you provide will inform the university's affirmative action plan and is for statistical purposes only and shall not be used to illegally discriminate for or against anyone. 

Towson University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. Women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.