Assistant Professor of Scenic and Lighting Design

. We seek a versatile, collaborative theatre artist and educator who is excited to work across both disciplines and help shape the next generation of designers and theatre technicians. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute creatively across the department's theatre and dance productions while mentoring undergraduate students in a hands-on, collaborative environment. We welcome candidates whose primary area of expertise is scenic or lighting design, provided they have the skills and enthusiasm to teach, design, and mentor students in both areas.

The successful candidate will teach courses in scenic and lighting design and technology, which may include Introductory Lighting Technology, Scenic and Lighting Design, CAD Rendering and Drafting, and Introduction to Design. Opportunities to develop additional courses may be available based on the candidate's expertise and student interests. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester, including six credits assigned to shop and production responsibilities. The position combines classroom teaching, creative production work, student mentorship, and ongoing creative or scholarly activity, along with advising and service appropriate to a tenure-track faculty appointment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Scenic and Lighting Design: Design or mentor student designers in scenic and lighting design for three mainstage productions per semester (two theatre productions and one dance production). Teaching: Teach two three-credit courses each semester in scenic design, lighting design, technology, drafting, or related areas.

Collaborative Production: Work alongside the Technical Director to guide and supervise students in the execution of scenic and lighting designs during scheduled shop and production hours. Student Mentorship: Advise Design/Technology majors and support students in developing their artistic, technical, and professional skills. Creative and Scholarly Activity: Pursue creative work, professional practice, or scholarship consistent with university tenure and promotion expectations. Departmental and University Service: Participate in departmental initiatives, university committees, and professional service.

Instructional Responsibilities: Develop course materials, assess student learning, and maintain course records through the university's learning management system. Additional duties may be assigned as appropriate to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Required: MFA in Scenic Design, Lighting Design, or Theatre Design, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Demonstrated experience in both scenic and lighting design, with significant professional or academic expertise in at least one discipline. Ability to teach undergraduate courses and mentor student designers in both scenic and lighting design and technology. Demonstrated commitment to collaborative creative work, effective teaching, and collegial problem-solving.

Preferred Qualifications

College-level teaching experience in scenic design, lighting design, and related technical theatre disciplines. Professional or academic production experience designing scenery, properties, and lighting. Experience mentoring student designers and collaborating with technical production staff. Experience with projections, dance lighting, or other emerging design technologies.

Proficiency with CAD, digital drafting, rendering, and visualization software. Additional compensation: Additional design fees are paid for faculty-designed productions, based on individual design assignments. Mentorship of student designers is included in regular faculty responsibilities. Additional compensation is also available for those who teach in overload, or teach in the January term (J-term) or summer terms.

Salary: $58,000-$60,000 Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information! This position will remain open until filled. Applications received by February 1st will receive priority consideration, and applications received after that date will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

How to Apply

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. The following are required for a complete application: Letter of Application (addressing minimum and preferred qualifications, ability to perform duties listed, and overall teaching philosophy). Curriculum Vitae Access to a website or digital portfolio of lighting and design work Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (If your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire).

Three letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your ability to perform the job for which you are applying. Direct Inquiries Contact: Jill Van Brussel [email protected] Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education. Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment.

Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed. A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus.

As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings. Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions.

CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands. The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument.

We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets. . Employment type: FULL_TIME