Search for University Jobs in Fine Arts

JOB TITLE
Assistant Teaching Professor - Theatre Technical Director

LOCATION
Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME
Humanities & Arts Department

DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Humanities and Arts Department invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Teaching Professor in Theatre, specializing in theatrical production, beginning in August 2024. We seek an experienced technical director to teach courses, mentor student projects, oversee production work, and manage production facilities for a small theatre program at a STEM-oriented institution with highly motivated and technically savvy students.

WPI Theatre is a collaborative unit in which the TD is a full faculty member. As a division of the Department of Humanities & Arts, WPI Theatre presents two major productions per year and offers courses in a wide array of theatrical sub-disciplines, including acting, playwriting, dramatic literature, design, and technical production. Courses are scheduled over four 7-week terms (A/B/C/D) and productions run over two 14-week semesters (Fall & Spring). Like many WPI academic experiences, these offerings employ a project-based learning approach, in which students learn by doing. WPI students may study theatre as part of the 6-course Humanities and Arts undergraduate requirement; they may also pursue a minor or a major concentration in Theatre. In addition to managing its own activities, the Theatre faculty provide informal support to WPI's various performance-based student organizations, which produce plays, musicals, comedy shows, and other events.

The position requires strong production skills, teaching excellence, versatility, and cultural sensitivity. In their application materials, candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach engaging, project-based courses; to mentor students of mixed experience levels through production experiences; and to contribute to an evolving culture of diversity and inclusion.

This is a 9-month faculty position, allowing for both external & internal opportunities (such as professional development, research, or additional teaching) during the summer months. The successful applicant will be hired at either the Assistant or Associate level, depending on their experience & qualifications. The initial contract for this position is for a single academic year, with the possibility of long-term renewal.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Duties:

• Teaching 7-week courses in stagecraft, technical production, or other related fields (scenic painting, props fabrication, etc.)
  
  
• Providing oversight, leadership, & support for all technical aspects of departmental productions (including carpentry, painting, rigging, props fabrication, electrics, audio, & projections) - currently 2 productions per year
  
  
• Mentoring students through hands-on production experiences & credit-bearing projects (mostly in technical disciplines, such as carpentry & electrics)
  
  
• Managing, maintaining, and continually improving WPI Theatre's facilities, including the Little Theatre, Scene Shop, Design Lab, & Green Rooms. This includes establishing, communicating, & implementing safety protocols; coordinating space scheduling; and facilitating & overseeing the use of WPI Theatre facilities by non-departmental users (clubs, events, e.g.).
  
  
• Managing enrollments for credit-bearing club- and department-sponsored productions - shared by all Theatre faculty, allocated for optimal workload equity
  
  
• Collaborating with other Theatre faculty about the general operation of the program, including but not limited to: mission & vision setting, curriculum & policy development, season planning, production oversight, supervision of student workers, and informal mentorship of student theatre organizations.
  
  
• Participating in initiatives conducted by the Humanities and Arts Department
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
  
  
• MFA in entertainment technology, or a related field (BFA considered for candidates with significant professional experience)
  
  
• At least three years of professional theatre experience
• At least three years of successful teaching at the university level
  
  
• The ability to work creatively and collaboratively across disciplines with faculty, staff, and students of various experience levels
  
  Skills:
  
  
• Required:
  
  • Extremely strong collaboration, communication, & problem solving skills
  • Scenic/Props: carpentry, rigging, molding/sculpting, basic scenic painting
  • Electrics: dimmed & intelligent systems, DMX distribution, basic EOS/ION programming, basic electrical circuitry '
  • Sound: signal flow, speaker rigging, basic audio editing, basic QLab programming
  • Safety: basic understanding of OSHA standards for theatrical performance (OSHA-10)
  
  
  
• Desirable:
  
  • Scenic/Props: welding, sewing, basic upholstery, advanced scenic painting
  • Electrics: network architecture, advanced EOS/ION programming, advanced electrical circuitry
  • Sound: live mixing, recording, advanced editing
  • Safety: advanced understanding of OSHA & ESTA standards (OSHA-30, ESTA certification in electricity and/or rigging)
  
  
  Materials:
  
  As part of your application, please submit:
  
  
• Cover letter that addresses your teaching philosophy and experience; your professional experience; how you would teach the courses described above at WPI; and how you see yourself adding to WPI's efforts to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment
  
  
• Current CV including academic and professional experience
  
  
• Contact information for three professional references
  
  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For maximum consideration, please submit materials by July 30, 2024.
  
  FLSA STATUS
  United States of America (Exempt)
  
  WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.
  
  To apply, visit: https://wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WPI_External_Career_Site/job/Worcester/Assistant-Teaching-Professor_R0002876
  
  About WPI
  WPI is a vibrant, active, and diverse community of extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, and state of the art research facilities. At WPI, we have competitive and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, long-term care, retirement, tuition assistance, flexible spending accounts, work-life balance and much more.
  
  Diversity & Inclusion at WPI
  WPI is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected; a place where every student, faculty and staff member can be themselves, so that they can study, live, and work comfortably, to reach their full potential, and make meaningful contributions in order to meet departmental and institutional goals. WPI thrives on innovative practice and welcomes diverse perspectives, insight, and people from diverse lived experiences, to enhance the community environment and propel the institution to the next level in a competitive, global marketplace.