Visiting Technical Director and Assistant Professor of Theatre

Description

Visiting Technical Director & Assistant Professor of Theatre

Knox College invites applications for the fall term 2025 sabbatical replacement in the role of Visiting Technical Director & Assistant Professor of Theatre. The Visiting Technical Director will be responsible for supervising the activities in the Department of Theatre scene shop and supervising the build for the 2025 fall faculty-directed production.  Candidates with Intro to Stage Craft & Design teaching and set design experience are invited. This is a 13-week employment engagement commencing September 1, 2025 and ending November 23, 2025.

This full-time, 13-week position provides a competitive salary. The position reports to the Chair of the Department of Theatre and the Provost & Dean of the College.

Knox College is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse staff at all levels of the College who not only reflect the demographics of our students, but also fully embrace the ideals of inclusivity.  Our campus is committed to the ongoing work of creating an equitable and inclusive community.  We encourage applications from those individuals who are enthusiastic about and dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our diverse student population. 

Key areas of opportunity for the Technical Director include: creation and implementation of a robust professional mentoring program to assist our students in realizing their potential; service as a strategic partner within the Department of Theatre as appropriate to ensure that our practices best support our people; development of meaningful strategies to build a diverse workforce and to identify talent within the student body for positions of responsibility; implementation of a work environment that provides motivation, incentives, and rewards for effective performance; and oversight of student employee relations and protocols to address workplace harassment and strengthen intercultural competencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Oversight Student Training and Support

- Facilitate New Student Orientation events at the start of the year, leading up to and including Opening Convocation.

- Supervise the inventory of the scene shop and lighting rigs.

- Maintain the scene shop and all equipment, stock, and inventory.

- Manage the scenery, lighting, and properties budgets for the Fall Term production(s).

- Purchase all materials and supplies related to realizing physical productions.

- Materials and construction research.

- Transport or arrange materials transportation.

- Reconcile the monthly credit card bill for expenditures.

- Create working drawings of the set design of the fall faculty directed play (title TBA).

- Plan for and manage afternoon scene shop work calls each weekday from 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

- Teach paid student workers and volunteers skills needed to execute the build.

- Schedule and execute after hours work calls as needed (i.e. paint calls).

- Attend weekly production meetings.

- Coordinate the lighting design with senior Grace Dinges.

- Attend technical and dress rehearsals.

- Organize and implement strike of the production.

- Work with the student Facilities Management Assistant to maintain the workflow of repairs, maintenance, and overall needs of Harbach and Studio Theatres.

- Be available to mentor student designers/technicians for student directed productions.

- Attend department meetings.

- Keep regular office hours.

The successful candidate will be committed to developing an inclusive and equitable work environment that  embraces students and employees of all backgrounds and enhances the full development and performance of all employees and volunteers. We seek an energetic, forward thinking, and creative individual with high ethical standards, who can connect a strategic vision with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, strong operational focus, and strong communication skills. The ability to be self-directed while working in a highly collaborative environment is expected.

Qualifications

Qualifications:
MFA in Technical Direction or equivalent professional experience. 

Proficiency and demonstrated success in hand and power tools, rigging, carpentry, stage craft and construction, scene painting, finish work, drafting, production planning, leadership, CAD, and communication skills.  

Candidates with set design experience are encouraged to apply.

 

Application Instructions

Candidates should submit: 

1. A cover letter that addresses the qualifications listed above
2. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
3. A portfolio of professional works 
4. Contact information