Technical Director and Senior Lecturer in Stagecraft

Description

Colgate University’s Department of Theater seeks a full time Technical Director and Senior Lecturer in Stagecraft beginning July 1, 2025 to join a dynamic team of professional artists and educators.

 

The Technical Director (TD) coordinates and manages all aspects of production for the Department of Theater, which produces up to four theater and dance main stage productions each year, along with student and visiting artist events. Together with the Assistant Technical Director, the TD oversees all scenic, electrics, and sound/video equipment; manages the Department’s facilities and production builds; works with visiting designers; supervises an Assistant Technical Director and occasional overhire labor; and recruits and trains work-study staff. The TD acts as a principal carpenter, props supervisor, and scenic artist on all builds, and instructs student labor of varied skill levels. The TD also teaches one Stagecraft course per semester and mentors students with an interest in technical theater, including student stage managers. 

 

The TD collaborates with the Theater Production and Operations Manager and the Chair of the Department of Theater on scheduling the production season and planning production budgets. In addition, the TD prepares all necessary production paperwork, including production calendars and construction drawings; schedules work calls; and oversees purchasing of all materials. Together with the ATD, the TD  provides support for other University events sponsored by the Department of Theater, and any other events that take place in the Department of Theater’s facilities. The TD is responsible for safety oversight and guidance for all technical areas of the Department’s operation, and for planning and budgeting annual facilities upgrades. The ideal candidate for this position is a technical theater generalist, with a wide range of skills and interests, and a commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate students in a liberal arts context.

 

Colgate is a highly selective liberal arts university of 3,200 students situated in central New York state. Colgate faculty are committed to excellence in both teaching and scholarship. Further information about the Theater department can be found here. Applicants with dual-career considerations can find postings of other employment opportunities at Colgate and at other institutions of higher education in upstate New York at this website.

 

Requirements

An M.F.A. in Technical Theater or a closely related field is preferred. Candidates with a B.F.A., B.A., or B.S. degree and at least five years of professional experience in technical direction will also be considered. Excellent communication and organizational skills are required. The candidate should be knowledgeable and have experience in more than one area of production, including scenic construction. Experience working with students and/or staff of varying skill sets is desirable. Candidates should describe in their cover letter how their teaching or professional experience and mentorship might support the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

 

How to Apply 

Applications materials must be submitted through Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/164603. Review of applications will begin April 11, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Please provide a cover letter, resume, and names of three references.

 

Campus Crime Reporting and Statistics

The Department of Campus Safety at Colgate University will provide upon request a copy of Colgate’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page