Position Title
Assistant Professor of Theatre Design and Technology
Contract Length
12 months
Class Summary
Responsible for providing instruction within the appropriate department/program. Develop and revise curriculum and coursework. Provide scheduled office hours for student consultation. Serve on College committees as needed and assigned. Participate in student-oriented instructional and advisement activities as needed and assigned.
Employment Status
Full Time
Minimum Education/Training/Experience
Master’s Degree in Theatre or Master’s with 18 hours of graduate level coursework in Dramatic Arts and/or Theatre. Two (2) years of recent experience with principles and practices of teaching.
Demonstrated substantial professional experience in scenic design and technical direction beyond the secondary or postsecondary educational setting.
Preferred Education/Training/Experience
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Scenic Design, Technical Direction, or a closely related theatre discipline. Demonstrated record of scenic design and technical direction for nationally or internationally recognized professional theatre organizations; experience teaching theatre courses at the college or university level; experience supervising scene shop operations and technical staff; designing scenery and properties for a wide variety of theatrical productions; managing production budgets, purchasing, production schedules, and shop operations. Membership in United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 (IATSE), or the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is preferred.Three (3) years of recent experience and knowledge of technical direction for live theatrical productions
Minimum Knowledge & Skills
- Principles and practices of teaching.
- Detailed knowledge of the material taught in the specific course and program area.
- Student engagement techniques.
- Record-keeping procedures.
- Communication and interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work directions as applied to interactions with students, coworkers, supervisors, and the public.
- Ability to prepare students for employment in the theatre profession.
- Knowledge of current scenic construction methods, materials, and scene shop practices.
- Knowledge of technical direction for live theatrical productions.
- Knowledge of scenic design principles and drafting techniques.
- Knowledge of stage lighting, sound, theatrical rigging, and other technical production systems.
- Knowledge of current theatre safety standards and safe scene shop practices.
- Knowledge of theatre production planning and management, including scheduling, budgeting, purchasing, personnel supervision, and student-worker training.
- Ability to manage multiple productions and meet deadlines.
- Ability to troubleshoot and solve technical and production problems.
- Proficiency with theatre-related technology and computer applications.
- Knowledge of current professional theatre industry practices and standards.
- Ability to supervise and train student workers and production crews.
- Ability to teach Stagecraft I and II, Theatre Design, Theatre Appreciation, and other assigned theatre courses as qualified.
Preferred Knowledge & Skills
- Familiarity with hybrid and/or online course delivery.
- Comfort with groups containing mixed ages and abilities.
- Advanced proficiency with CAD, digital rendering, and current theatre design technologies.
- Knowledge of transfer pathways and professional development opportunities for theatre students.
- Familiarity with professional and educational theatre organizations, unions, conferences, and festivals such as KCACTF, SETC, USITT, United Scenic Artists, IATSE, or similar organizations.
Job Duties
- Comply with all College policies and procedures and applicable safety standards to maintain a positive learning environment, support College activities, and attend required meetings and training.
- Ensure high-quality programming that supports the College’s mission, vision, and values.
- Teach assigned theatre courses and maintain instructional records in accordance with College policies and procedures.
- Maintain a minimum of 7.5 scheduled office hours per week.
- Serve as technical director for five COM Theatre Mainstage productions each year, with seven course releases provided during each academic year.
- Design scenery and properties for each production for the annual theatre season.
- Coordinate the technical production process for each production in collaboration with directors, designers, guest artists, and other production personnel.
- Direct all scenic construction, painting, installation, and strike activities for theatre productions.
- Mentor student productions in the Theatre Studio and support other Studio Theatre productions as needed.
- Manage all scene shop operations, including planning, scheduling, safety, inventory, purchasing, and student supervision.
- Supervise student workers and production crews, including responsibilities related to hiring, discipline, and termination.
- Manage the hiring, contracting, scheduling, and payment coordination of guest artists and student workers.
- Supervise students participating in theatre-related events, travel, productions, and other activities.
- Manage theatre facilities and production equipment within the scope of the position.
- Supervise the maintenance, repair, inventory, and purchasing of theatre equipment, tools, supplies, and materials.
- Coordinate production photography and archival video arrangements.
- Participate in student recruitment and retention initiatives.
- Coordinate and implement student recruitment performances and educational outreach activities.
- Serve on College committees and participate in shared governance activities as assigned.
- Maintain professional credentials and participate in ongoing professional development.
- Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned, including lighting and sound design when qualified and as needed.
Licensing/Certification Requirements
none
Physical Requirements
- Positions in this class typically require: climbing, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and seeing.
- Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and travel.
