Title: Assistant Professor (Designer: Lighting, Sound, Special Effects, Projections)

Position Number: 85088

Hiring Unit: College of Arts, Languages & Letters, Department of Theatre & Dance

Location: Manoa

Date Posted: November 7, 2022

Closing Date: Continuous - application review begins January 3, 2023

Salary Information: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

Monthly Type: 9 Month

Tenure Track: Tenure

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Other Conditions: To begin Fall 2023, pending position clearance and availability of funds. 

The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa is renowned for its emphasis on traditional and contemporary Hawaiian, Pacific and Asian performance. The Design Program also reflects this same approach, paired with individualized mentoring with professionally active faculty, hands-on training, varied design & teaching opportunities, and design prospects with local theatres. For more information about our course offerings, programmatic structure, and production season, see here; and our Action Plan committed to IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and access).

Degrees: BA, BFA, MA, MFA, PhD

Focus Areas: Acting; Asian Theatre; Dance; Design; Directing; Hawaiian Theatre; Performance Studies; Playwriting; Theatre for Young Audiences; Theatre History & Criticism

Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching Duties:

• Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in design & technology for lighting in courses such as technical theatre, production, and computer-aided design.

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in one or more of the following areas: sound, special effects, and/or projections, based on the needs of the department;

• Develop new courses as needed and be involved in curriculum development; 

• Supervise students in practicum work; 

• Advise undergraduate and graduate students;

• Serve on and chair MFA committees;

• Serve as a guest lecturer for other classes within the department to facilitate the instruction of relevant subject matter.

Production Duties:

• Serve as designer for the department’s production season in the areas of lighting, sound, special effects, and projections, as needed;

• Collaborate with and assist relevant staff to supervise the lighting/sound shop; 

• Facilitate the execution of lighting, sound, special effects, and projection designs for the department’s production season;

• Recruit and supervise student designers and technicians for lighting, sound, special effects, and projections for departmental productions;

• Advise and consult on the purchase of up-to-date technologies, equipment, and software for productions and facilities;

• Participate in the physical aspect of backstage production. 

Research & Service Duties:

• Maintain an active program of research through scholarly publications and/or creative endeavors;

• Collaborate with design faculty and staff in the supervision and training of backstage work by graduate assistants, student employees, and other students;

• Participate in the governance of the department and provide service to the college, university, and community;

• Other duties as assigned by the Department Chair.

1. Terminal degree (MFA or equivalent) in Lighting Design or related field from a college or university of recognized standing. All requirements for degree must be completed by August 2023;
2. One year of relevant teaching experience in theatre and/or dance;
3. One year of relevant design experience in theatre and/or dance;
4. Evidence of an established record of creative and/or scholarly research activities in the field;
5. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and flexibly with students, faculty, staff, administration, and community members;

1. Demonstrated excellence in teaching; 
2. Relevant teaching experience in theatre and/or dance at the college/university level or other relevant fields;
3. 2 or more years of relevant design experience in theatre and/or dance;
4. Relevant professional, national, and/or international credits;

5. Demonstrated commitment to up-to-date industry-standard software and technology;

6. Affiliations with relevant professional/scholarly organizations;

7. Evidence of successful grant writing;

8. Demonstrated knowledge of Asian/Pacific theatre/dance;

9. Teaching experience, practical application, and/or research in lighting diverse skin tones and complexions; 

10. Experience mentoring students and working with colleagues from historically underrepresented groups;

11. Experience in community engagement and/or outreach with underserved populations;

12. Evidence of application of IDEA concepts (Inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) in practice, such as in course syllabi and/or production design.

To Apply:

To apply, click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the following required documents: 

• Cover letter detailing how you meet the minimum and desirable qualifications and are qualified to perform duties;

• Teaching Philosophy;

• Statement of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access;

• Resumé/curriculum vitae;

• Transcripts for the highest degree (copies accepted, official transcripts required upon hire);

• Names and contact information (phone and email) for three professional/academic references;

• Samples of relevant teaching and design work uploaded in .pdf format (max 10 mb)

Inquiries: Michelle A. Bisbee; mabisbee@hawaii.edu

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.  For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/eeo-coordinators/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request:  The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly.  Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/