Costume Designer

Job Title:

Costume Designer

Full or Part Time:

Part time

Hours:

20

Exempt:

No

Supervisory Org:

Theater Staff (PM)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Department of Theatre at Saginaw Valley State University invites applications for an administrative professional (non-tenure track) Costume Designer temporary position, and also serves as Costume Shop Manager starting August 2026. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence at the undergraduate level, ability to work with a broad spectrum of students, and a willingness to engage in departmental and University service, including recruitment and retention initiatives and mentoring Theatre students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create original, imaginative, and appropriate costume designs that align with the vision of the production and the characters' personalities. Collaborate with directors and designers to ensure a cohesive visual presentation.

• Conduct thorough research on historical periods, cultural styles, and specific character backgrounds to ensure accuracy and authenticity in costume design. Interpret scripts to understand the characters' motivations, emotions, and relationships, translating these elements into costume choices.

• Develop mood boards, sketches, and other visual aids to communicate costume concepts to the production team. Present and discuss design concepts in meetings to receive feedback and make necessary adjustments.

• Choose appropriate fabrics, colors, textures, and materials for costumes, considering factors such as comfort, functionality, and visual impact. Collaborate with costume shop staff to source and acquire necessary materials.

• Work closely with the costume shop team to ensure the successful execution of costume designs. Provide guidance, instructions, and support throughout the costume construction process.

• Using the SVSU Department of Theatre fitting protocols to organize and oversee costume fittings with actors, making any necessary alterations or adjustments to achieve the best fit and overall appearance.

• Manage and follow the costume design budget, making cost-effective choices while maintaining design integrity. Keep accurate records of expenses related to costume design and construction. Follow receipt recording and reporting protocol as outlined by theatre administrative secretary.

• Maintain clear and open communication with the production team, including directors, stage managers, and actors. Collaborate on scheduling, fittings, and any design updates. Participate in scheduled production meetings.

• Through coordination with directing team, attend select rehearsals in service of executing the costume design. Rehearsals could include designer run through, crew view, costume parade, fitting rehearsals, and dress rehearsals.

• Be adaptable and flexible in response to changes in production requirements, actor preferences, and unforeseen challenges. Find creative solutions to any costume-related issues that arise during rehearsals or performances.

• Lead and maintain the SVSU Department of Theatre Costume Shop and costume storage. Responsibilities include supervising rentals for SVSU productions and coordinating costume package rentals from SVSU costume stock.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to costume design students, interns, or assistants, if applicable.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

General supervision is received from the Dean of Arts and Behavioral Science with additional supervision from the chair of the Theatre department.

  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design, Theatre Design, or closely related field.

• Experience in costume design, costume construction, and shop management, including budgeting and safety compliance.

• Experience in training and supervising student workers and costume shop assistants.

• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community

• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with digital rendering tools and costume design software, and with digital technologies for teaching and assessment.

• Relevant teaching experience at the university level.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.

• All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS:

Curriculum vitae

Cover Letter

Portfolio of costume design work (digital preferred)

Contact information for three or more references

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.  SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed.
 
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.