Position Title:
Quarterly Lecturer - Theatre Costume Designer
Position Type:
Temporary
Salary Range:
The Costume Designer position is the equivalent of a 0.5 teaching load ($4,776).
Purpose:
The Department of Theatre and Dance at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit, Catholic university, invites applications for a quarterly lecturer (non-tenure track) to teach undergraduate courses in Rehearsal and Performance, serving as Costume Designer for one or more theatrical productions in Spring quarter 2027 Specific assignments will be made according to the academic qualifications of the individual and programmatic need. The successful candidate will teach no more than two courses in any quarter and no more than four courses over the fall, winter and spring quarters. Each quarter is 10 weeks long, with an 11th week set for final examinations. This is an in-person position.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Terminal degree (Ph.D./MFA) in Theatre Design/Production. Applicants who are ABD or possess a Master’s degree, accompanied by commensurate academic experience in Costume Design or a closely-related field (5-7 years of college or professional teaching) will be considered.
• Two years of experience teaching at the university level or commensurate professional experience
• Appropriate availability to be in residence in the shop, be a hands-on designer (to possibly include building, fitting, patterning work) and be ready to work closely with the staff Costume Shop manager and the student work crew.
• Ability to carry out the professional duties of position; working with department directors, other designers and technical director.
• Excellent communication skills, a collaborative work style, and strong organizational skills.
• Commitment to teaching theatre through production, within a liberal arts context.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Terminal degree (PhD/MFA) in Costume Design.
• Both professional and educational costume design experience.
• Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that promote access and academic success for all students.
• Experience teaching and mentoring a diverse population of undergraduate students.
RESPONSIBILITIES
TEACHING (100%)
Teaching duties will not exceed more than two courses in any quarter and no more than four in any academic year, and will include but are not limited to fulfilling all responsibilities associated with assigned courses, including:
a. Teach THTR 29/129 Rehearsal and Performance -
b. Attend all design and production meetings as scheduled.
c. Provide all design sketches, materials suggestions and costume designs in a timely manner as requested by the Director and Costume Shop manager.
d. Work with the Costume Shop manager to ensure costumes as designed are ready for technical dress rehearsal.
e. Attend dress rehearsals for productions.
f. Fulfill other instructional or academic duties as appropriate as may be requested by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or the Chair of the Department.
SERVICE (0%)
This position does not require any service duties. You may be invited, but not required, to attend department meetings or activities.
REQUESTED APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Please submit the following documents through the Workday hiring portal by the application deadline: June 12, 2026
Letter of interest;
CV including costume design experience;
Links to samples of previous work available on the internet and/or a design portfolio.
Contact information for two references (both email and phone numbers).
Letters of recommendation (if requested) and additional documentation should be sent to Ruth Mikusko, Academic Department Manager [ rmikusko@scu.edu].
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Spring quarter is March 29 - June 11, 2027.
Weekly hours dependent on production schedule.
Questions can be directed to: David Popalisky, dpopalisky@scu.edu
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Please note that your employment is subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 (“Local 1021”; see https://www.scu.edu/provost/faculty-affairs/cba-ntt).
Telecommute
Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decisionmaking, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/
Clery Notice of Availability
Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at hraccommodations@scu.edu or by phone at (408)554-5750. Please note This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact hrservicedesk@scu.edu
Work Authorization:
SCU does not sponsor any applicants for work visas for this position. The successful candidate must be able to provide evidence of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.
