Shenandoah Conservatory announces the appointment of Shelbi Wilkin, M.F.A., as assistant professor of costume design beginning this August. She succeeds Costume Designer and Professor of Theatre and Costume Design Cheryl Yancey, M.F.A., who will retire at the end of the 2024/25 academic year after 30 years of service at Shenandoah University.

“I am excited to join the faculty and staff at Shenandoah Conservatory and explore the outdoors the Shenandoah Valley has to offer,” said Wilkin.

Wilkin is a costume designer, fashion historian and educator whose area of study focuses on accurate representation onstage. She has experience designing costumes for theatre, dance and opera with titles including “Hamlet,” “Machinal,” “In the Next Room” and “The Left Hand of Darkness.”

“Shelbi is an amazing talent — designer, educator and mentor — working through a lens of art, sustainability and world building,” said Director of Theatre Design & Production and Associate Professor of Scenic Design R. Eric Stone, M.F.A. “Her commitment to student success and belonging is exceptional. You will be seeing her work, as a designer and mentor, right away on stage at SU. We are thrilled to have Shelbi join the Theatre Design & Production program in August.”

She most recently served as adjunct assistant professor of costume design and costume shop manager at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. Her current research activities include analyzing, photographing and writing a catalog manuscript for Beloit College’s collection of Qing Dynasty robes.

Originally from Montana, Wilkin received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in design and technology from Central Washington University and her Master of Fine Arts in costume design from the University of Oregon.

Wilkin enjoys backpacking, horseback riding and exploring local breweries and wineries. Visit www.shelbiwilkin.design to learn more.