Technical Direction/Scenic Design- Assnt Educator/Teaching Professor- Performing Arts

Technical Direction/Scenic Design- Assnt Educator/Teaching Professor- Performing Arts

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WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Department: School of Performing Arts

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Schedule: Varies dependent upon class, rehearsal, and production schedule; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

About the School of Performing Arts (SPA)

The School of Performing Arts is a comprehensive school offering BFA and BA degrees in Performing Arts with concentrations in Acting, Dance, Design and Technical Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Theatre. Grounded in a shared core curriculum, the school emphasizes collaboration across disciplines and extensive applied learning opportunities. A hallmark of the School of Performing Arts is its commitment to undergraduate leadership through production curriculum, with students actively designing, performing, managing, and producing work across a diverse range of artistic projects.

To enhance and broaden students' knowledge and career preparation, the School of Performing Arts offers several certificates, including Directing, Stage Management, Voice Acting, Choreography, and Commercial Dance. Students may also pursue interdisciplinary minors such as Dance, Dance Education, Dance and Psychology, Drama and Psychology, Theatre, Musical Theatre, Performing Arts and Business, and Performing Arts Marketing. Many of these programs and courses are developed in collaboration with the School of Digital Arts, the School of Music, the Honors College, and the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, reinforcing an interdisciplinary approach and expanding opportunities for students to engage across fields and build versatile, career-ready skill sets. Learn more at www.wichita.edu/spa

The School of Performing Arts in the College of Fine Arts invites applications for a full-time (9 month), non-tenure-track position in Technical Direction//Scenic Design to begin August 2027 with the university.

We seek a dynamic educator, mentor, and production leader who will play a central role in shaping the academic future of the school and the Design and Technical Theatre degree within a highly collaborative interdisciplinary performing arts environment. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise and extensive experience in technical direction, scenic design, and student mentorship who are committed to undergraduate education and applied learning.

Because production is central to the School of Performing Arts'' mission, this position serves in a key production leadership role. The successful candidate will provide significant service through technical direction for school productions, oversee technical operations across three theatrical venues and facilities, and ensure safe and effective production practices. Working closely with faculty, guest artists, directors, choreographers, and students, the successful candidate will help create a vibrant production culture that prioritizes both artistic excellence and student learning.

The Wichita State Advantage

Located in Wichita, Kansas, the School of Performing Arts offers faculty the opportunity to work within a close-knit and highly collaborative artistic community where professionals and alumni actively lead area theatres, dance studios, and arts organizations. These relationships create meaningful partnerships that support student internships, applied learning, and community-engaged work, while also providing faculty with strong professional networks beyond the university.

Wichita offers an affordable quality of life paired with a community of scholars, creators, and professionals. Employees can build meaningful connections with colleagues while enjoying a cost of living that supports personal and professional well-being. Together, these qualities create an environment where people can thrive and feel connected.

The city features a growing and vibrant arts ecosystem, including regional theatres, dance companies, music venues, film and media initiatives, and a nationally recognized downtown arts district. Faculty benefit from access to local cultural institutions, galleries, public art, and festivals, as well as a central location that offers convenient travel options. This combination of affordability, accessibility, and an engaged creative community make Wichita an appealing place to live, work, and build a meaningful career in the performing arts. Learn more: www.choosewichita.com

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for teaching and service, as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

Develop and teach undergraduate courses in scenic design, drafting, technical direction, theatre technology, and related areas. This includes designing curriculum and instructional materials, delivering high-quality instruction in various modalities (in-person, online, or hybrid), and assessing student learning. The position offers the opportunity to develop a strong technical direction mentorship and applied learning model that prepares students for leadership roles through progressive experiences in production management, scenic construction, safety, collaboration, scheduling, and project execution.

Participate in service activities within the department, college, and university as assigned. Duties may include committee work, curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment, and community outreach. The faculty member will contribute to the governance and strategic initiatives of the department and engage primarily through service as the technical director for productions along with oversight for three venues (one proscenium stage, one studio theatre, one black box theatre).

Required Education and Experience:

• Graduate level degree or Equivalent Experience in the Field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• Evidence of achievement in scenic design.
• Evidence of achievement in technical direction.
• Evidence of a commitment to fostering collaborative classroom and production environments.
• Evidence of accommodating a variety of learning styles and strategies in instructional delivery and learning activity.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor students in production environments.
• Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate courses in scenic design and drafting .
• Demonstrated ability to use and teach industry standard software such as Vectorworks.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiar with production in a variety of settings such as a proscenium theatre, black box theatre, site specific locations and film.
• Ability to provide instruction curriculum to a variety of learners.
• Commitment to collaborative processes and environments.
• Ability to teach theatre courses beyond scenic design, drafting, or technical direction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MFA in Theatre/Design and Technical Theatre with a focus on scenic design or technical direction
• OR BA/BFA in Theatre/Design and Technical Theatre with commensurate professional experience in scenic design and technical direction.
• Professional experience in scenic design.
• Professional experience as a technical director.
• Three years' teaching experience at full-time or equivalent course load in higher education.

Additional Information:

WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

1. Cover Letter/Letter of application addressing how the candidate's qualifications and experience align with the position.

2. Teaching Statement: A statement (1-2 pages) describing teaching approach/philosophy and experience (including course topics the candidate can teach, mentoring experience, and any evidence of teaching effectiveness).

3. Digital Portfolio: File or link to file(s) or website of professional digital work

4. Optional Materials: Any additional materials the candidate would like to share such as sample publications, teaching evaluations, reviews, etc.

Priority deadline for applications is 10/16/26. The appointment for the position is August 2027.

For more information contact: Professor Amy Baker Schwiethale, Chair - Assistant Teaching Professor/Educator of Performing Arts - Lighting, Sound & Projection, Email: amy.baker@wichita.edu

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position - Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators - Frequent 60-90%

Additional Physical Requirement: