Assistant Professor – Technical Director

Assistant Professor – Technical Director

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)

Department of Theatre

Position F21050

Full-time, 9-month non-tenure eligible position beginning August 16, 2021

Application Deadline: Review of applications begins February 15, 2021 and continues until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications are due by February 8, 2021.

The Opportunity:

The VCUarts Department of Theatre (https://arts.vcu.edu/theatre/) seeks a skilled, engaged, and collaboration-minded Assistant Professor of Technical Direction. The Department of Theatre offers multiple degrees: B.A in Theatre; B.F.A. degrees in Theatre with emphases in Performance, Scene Design and Technical Production, Costume Design and Technical Production, Lighting Design and Technical Production, and Stage Management; and M.F.A. degrees in Pedagogy, Scene Design and Costume Design.

VCUarts:

VCUarts (https://arts.vcu.edu/) in Richmond, Virginia offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate degrees in design, fine and performing arts, art history, and art education, with a unique emphasis on creative immersion. Far more than receiving simply an education or preparation for a career; students leave VCUarts with the practical, professional and personal skills needed to make a life in the arts, no matter how they define it. That is why VCUarts’ programs emphasize both doing and knowing: why the majority of its faculty are working artists, designers, scholars, and performers and why they encourage students to take advantage of the many academic and intellectual opportunities that come with being part of a research university. Today, VCUarts graduates can be found throughout the academic and professional fields and have been recognized with everything from Emmys to MacArthur Fellowships.

VCUarts is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Dance, the National Association of Schools of Music, the National Association of Schools of Theatre, the Virginia Department of Education, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and the National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education.

As the #2 ranked public university arts and design graduate school in the country by US News and World Report, VCUarts is dedicated to the goal of building an inclusive and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a diverse and welcoming environment and strongly encourages applications from all racial/ethnic, gender and social identities.

The school includes more than 3,000 students, and has become known as a pillar of artistic creation and expression. Its emerging artists explore their potential and strive for high standards set by faculty members acknowledged for their inspiration and achievement.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an urban university with over 31,000 students located in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond is two hours south of Washington, D.C. and is situated between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Virginia/North Carolina coast. Richmond is the state capital and is regional and national a center for visual arts, design and performing arts.

Major Responsibilities :

This position is a 9-month non-tenure eligible faculty position in the Department of Theatre at the rank of Assistant Professor. The faculty member will be expected to teach undergraduate technical direction courses in the BFA/BA curriculum such as Stagecraft, Structural Design, Rigging and related subjects, and/or other courses in the faculty member’s area of expertise. The Technical Director will provide leadership by mentoring students; fostering collaborative partnerships across the arts and broader campus; and promoting methods to utilize and grow production facilities and other assets in support of research and teaching. Our colleague will demonstrate through teaching, professional activities, and/or public engagement the richness of diversity in the learning experience and will integrate multicultural approaches and perspectives into instructional methods.

In addition, the faculty member will teach construction techniques to students at all levels and will coach and mobilize student technical directors and student carpentry and props crews, who are essential to the realization of Mainstage productions and performances. The Technical Director will oversee the planning, construction, installation and strike of scenery for all department productions; supervise and manage the scene shop and scene shop staff; advise and collaborate on scheduling production seasons; prepare work calls and production calendars; plan budgeting and purchasing for scenic materials and other technical considerations for current and future seasons; and coordinate build schedules. The faculty member will be responsible for coordinating, maintaining, and updating all safety protocol and training for students, faculty, and staff using the scene shop, as well as properly stocking the scene shop, and preparing, organizing and supervising the scene shop for classes in stagecraft and related technical courses.

The faculty member should have professional skills and interests that complement and expand the existing expertise of the faculty and staff in the department. As a member of a community-oriented, tight-knit department and School, the faculty member will work collaboratively with student, faculty, staff, and guest artists and will provide service to the department and School, such as assisting with student, department and school-wide related activities, serving on School/University committees, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required
  • MFA in Theatre with an emphasis on Technical Direction/Theatre or an equivalent combination of training and professional experience.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of technical direction of theatrical productions.
  • The faculty member will have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment, or have a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
  • An emphasis will be placed on candidates who are able to help students transition from academia to the professional world.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary technology, equipment, and practices applicable to the discipline.
  • Excellent oral, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to collaborate.
  • Ability to create, organize, and effectively execute technical production schedules involving many elements and many people.


Preferred
  • Professional membership in International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
  • Appropriate teaching experience beyond graduate school.
  • Knowledge of projections.
  • A minimum of five years of professional experience in either Broadway, Off-Broadway, LORT, highly visible educational institutions.
  • Production management experience at any level is a plus, such as supporting the development of budgets, production calendars, and coordination of design meetings.
  • Interest and experience in working with students, running student crews, and training student crews.


Application Process:

To apply, please submit application materials via VCU eJobs at www.vcujobs.com. Only electronic applications submitted via eJobs will be accepted.

Application materials should be to the attention of Neno Russell, Associate Professor, and Chair of the search committee. The following documents should be included:

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribute to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience.

In addition, the following documents should also be included:
  • A Letter of Interest that conveys relevant academic and professional experience;
  • Current CV/Resume;
  • A list of three current references including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (references will not be contacted prior to applicant’s approval); and
  • [Optional] Portfolio of work— visual documentation conceptualizing professional work, teaching, and/or creative practice.


Application Instructions:
  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity should be submitted as a PDF in the “Diversity Statement” section of eJobs;
  • The Letter of Interest should be submitted as one PDF in the “Cover Letter/Letter of Application” section in eJobs;
  • The CV/Resume + list of references should be submitted as one PDF in the “Curriculum Vitae (CV)” section of eJobs;
  • and, due to file size limitations, the optional portfolio of work should be submitted in the “Other Document” section of eJobs as an accessible link in a PDF that points to a website or cloud storage (with access instructions) to view all visual work.


  • Review of applications begins February 15, 2021 and continues until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications are due by March 31, 2021.

    To read more about VCUarts: http://arts.vcu.edu

    Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.