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The Theater Department invites applications for an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Technical Direction. The successful candidate will have equal enthusiasm for innovative and sustainable approaches to Technical Direction in theater and for education. The Theater Department situates artistic practice, pedagogy, and research in an undergraduate, liberal-arts context and explores theater from an intersectional perspective in which both scholarship and applied creative practice are emphasized through collaborative exchange.

The Theater Department produces contemporary and classical plays, and adaptations of literary works for the stage, as well as devised and experimental performances. The department’s faculty encourages and values diversity within their teaching and artistic/research practices and is committed to ongoing curricular and programmatic development in intercultural, interdisciplinary, and collaborative theatrical innovation. We seek candidates whose pursuit of artistic goals, innovative vision and creative energy will enable effective involvement within a highly committed and vibrant community of students, teachers, artists, and scholars in Wesleyan’s Theater Department and across the University. Reporting to the Chair of the Theater Department, the TD supports two mainstage productions and four to eight senior capstone projects every academic year, providing expert guidance to majors interested in technical aspects of theater and leading all construction of design elements.

The position responsibilities include teaching the equivalent of five courses per year. These may include two 0.5 credit courses in technical theater (THEA105 Production Lab) and various additional advisory credit enrollments in hands-on technical projects ((THEA 335, 331, 329). The TD serves as production crew supervisor, and works closely with the department chair, design faculty, and production manager/stage manager to develop and implement production calendar and schedules. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to: interpreting designer’s drawings, creating technical drawings (VectorWorks or AutoCad), estimating construction budgets, ordering materials, and ensuring that all construction safety guidelines are communicated and enforced. The TD is a member of the Theater Department faculty and collaborates with other faculty/staff through regular department and production meetings. The TD serves as the manager for the Theater Studio (TST-001), a small black-box classroom and performance space located within the Theater building.

In addition, the position collaborates closely with the Arts Production Team, Wesleyan’s performing arts support staff. All Wesleyan performing arts departments share use of the Center for the Arts Theater, the ’92 Patricelli Theater, and their adjacent scene shops.

Minimum Qualifications: The minimum degree requirement is BA or BFA in Technical Direction for Theater or a related field.

We are especially interested in candidates who have proficiency in Vectorworks and/or AutoCAD and demonstrated ability to work with individuals of different background. Candidates with an MFA in Theater and two or more years of experience in a supervisory position in either professional theater or theater at the undergraduate level will be given special consideration.

A complete application includes a (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a teaching statement, and (4) a portfolio. In the cover letter, applicants should describe how they will embrace the university's commitment to fostering an inclusive community, as well as their experience working with individuals from historically marginalized or underserved groups. Your portfolio should demonstrate technical drafting, and process, as well as fully realized performance projects. You will also be asked to provide the email addresses of three referees from whom we will request confidential letters of recommendation if selected as a finalist.

Applications should be submitted online through the above URL. Applications completed by February 14th will receive full consideration; application portal closes on Monday, March 3. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, with an expected start date of July 1, 2025. Please contact Dawn Alger (dalger@wesleyan.edu) if you have questions about the application process.

Work Location: On Campus

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening (https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/pdfs/Wesleyan%20University%20Background%20Check%20Policy_.pdf) to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html .

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html

Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html .

We welcome your interest in Wesleyan’s diverse, energetic community of employees who, by their creativity, innovative thinking, and generosity of spirit, help make Wesleyan a great place to work.

In this open-minded and inclusive environment, our faculty and staff foster a liberal arts experience characterized by boldness, rigor, and practical idealism.

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