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The Theater Department invites applications for an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Production and Stage Management. Candidates whose professional engagement as Stage Managers inform their teaching and professional practice are strongly encouraged to apply.

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 it 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.

The successful candidate will have excellent management, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills with previous production management and stage management experience, including running rehearsal rooms and production meetings, and calling shows. The successful candidate will possess a working knowledge of professional and academic theatrical practices and standards, and have the ability to supervise, train and mentor student assistants. Reporting to the Chair of the Theater Department, the Assistant Professor of the Practice in Production and Stage Management has an annual load of 5 courses or equivalent, which includes: teaching a one credit course THEA 315 Stage Management, stage management of two mainstage productions for the Theater Department each year, and supervising technical or performance practice tutorials (THEA 329-335), including for student stage managers and assistants. The PM/SM is responsible for the creation and management of the Theater Department production calendar and schedule, coordinating with various faculty advisors and relevant Arts Production Team members. As the Theater Department’s Production Manager, this position manages the

recruitment, orientation, training, and enrollment process for all Technical and Performance Practice credits. The PM works closely with the department administrative assistant and department chair to oversee all production budgets and purchasing.

In addition, the position collaborates closely with the Arts Production Team, Wesleyan’s 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 a BA or BFA in Stage management for Theater and at least two years of professional or higher education experience.

We are especially interested in candidates with an MFA in Stage Management or related discipline, and evidence of strong Production Management experience, either academic or professional. Candidates with two years of teaching experience at the undergraduate level will be given special consideration.

A complete application includes a (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a teaching statement. 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. You will also be asked to provide the email addresses of three referees from whom we may obtain confidential letters of recommendation (please double-check the accuracy of the email addresses and phone numbers of the referees you name to ensure that you have the most up-to-date contact information for each one).

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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  If you are currently employed at WES, you must apply for positions through Job Hubs in your Workday (http://workday.wesleyan.edu/) portal. There you will find an abbreviated application form making this process much easier for you!